The BIAH Advent Calendar: Day 25

Yup, it is December. And as the temperatures outside drop, the heat is rising on college campuses across the country as basketball season kicks into full swing. But December is also a time to reflect on the past year. This December is special, because as we draw closer to the new year, we get closer to the end of the aughts. In the spirit of the holidays, we are going to celebrate the decade past by counting down the top 25 games, players, and teams of the last 10 years with the BIAH advent calender. Each day, we will be unveiling the next on each of our lists, culminating with our gift to you on Christmas Day: the best game, the best player, and the best team of the 2000's.

Here is No. 1:


2009 UConn vs. Syracuse: Six overtimes. 127-117. Big East Tournament. Madison Square Garden. Buzzer beaters. Shots overturned. Syracuse. UConn. I was lucky enough to be at the Garden for this game, and I can honestly tell you that I've never been in an environment as electric as the Garden was that night.

More than anything, my lasting memory of that game will be how tired I was that night. I know, I know, I shouldn't complain. Jonny Flynn played 67 minutes, and the next night played another overtime game. But I think anyone that was at the game can agree with me - when you left that arena, you were emotionally drained, physically exhausted from jumping up and down, and completely hoarse. Anyway, I can ramble on and on and on about this epic, but I already did right here.

So read that and watch this video:




Tyler Hansbrough, UNC: Hansbrough was not the most talented player of the decade. He wasn't successful simply because of his raw ability and natural talent. No, Psycho T was just a big, strong kid with a nice touch on his jumper and some good post moves that simply out worked everyone else on the court.

And it paid off. All you have to do is look at his hardware. In 2006, Hansbrough averaged 18.9 ppg and 7.8 rpg as he won national freshman of the year, was a second team all-american, and became the first freshman unanimously selected to the all-ACC first team. As a sophomore, his numbers took a bit of a hit as the Tar Heels added a talented recruiting class, but Hansbrough still managed to averaged 18.4 ppg and 7.9 rpg as UNC won the 2007 ACC regular season and tournament titles before earning a #1 seed and advancing to the Elite 8. Hansbrough was once again a unanimous first team all-ACC selection (the first person to ever do that four times) and first team all-american.

Hansbrough was all-ACC first team four times, all-american four times (three first-teams), made two Final Fours, and won a national title and a national player of the year award.
(photo credit: SI)

Hansbrough's best season was his junior year. He averaged 22.6 ppg and 10.2 rpg while leading UNC to a 29-2 regular season record, the ACC regular season and tournament titles, and to a Final Four. Hansbrough would be voted the. consensus national player of the year. As a senior, Hansbrough battled a stress reaction early in the season, but still managed to come back and average 20.7 ppg and 8.1 rpg while leading a potent UNC attack to a national title. Hansbrough would once again be named first team all american. Hansbrough graduated as the ACC's all-time leading scorer.


2009 UNC Tar Heels: This team was very close to not happening. After the 2008 Final Four, Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington, and Danny Green all toyed with the idea of entering the NBA Draft. But Green was dealing with injuries and pulled out, Lawson withdrew his name because of a controvesy over a DUI he had gotten, and Ellington simply wasn't ready for the league.

Combine that with Hansbrough's decision to return to school, and the Heels had a team that everyone picked to win the title in the preseason. Using a high-powered offense sparked by Lawson's ability to get the ball out in transition, the Heels did just that, winning the 2009 national title while beating every tournament opponent by double digits.



Lawson was named ACC player of the year and a second team all-american while Hansbrough was named to the first-team. All four players that decided to come back forin the '08-'09 season ended up making the NBA.


No. 2: Illinois v. Arizona, JJ Redick, Duke's 2001 team
No. 3: Gonzaga v. Michigan State and Gonzaga v. UConn, Adam Morrison, Florida's 2007 team
No. 4: Duke v. Maryland, Shane Battier, UNC's 2005 team
No. 5: Michigan State v. Kentucky, Jay Williams, UConn's 2004 team
No. 6: UConn v. George Mason, Emeka Okafor, Illinois's 2005 team
No. 7: Oklahoma State v. Texas, Carmelo Anthony, Michigan State's 2000 team
No. 8: UCLA v. Gonzaga, Jameer Nelson, Maryland's 2002 team
No. 9: Barton v. Winona State, Blake Griffin, St. Joseph's 2004 team
No. 10: West Virginia v. Wake Forest, Juan Dixon, Kansas's 2008 team
No. 11: Kansas v. Memphis, TJ Ford, Syracuse's 2003 team
No. 12: West Virginia v. Louisville, Stephen Curry, and UCLA's 2008 team
No. 13: Gonzaga v. Arizona, Kevin Durant, and Florida's 2006 Team
No. 14: UConn v. Duke, Joakim Noah, and Duke's 2002 team
No. 15: Oklahoma State v. St. Joe's, Chris Paul, and UConn's 2006 team
No. 16: Gonzaga v. Oklahoma State, Ty Lawson, and Kentucky's 2003 team
No. 17: Duke v. Maryland in the 2001 Final Four, Deron Williams, and Gonzaga's 2006 team
No. 18: Duke v. Indiana, Mateen Cleaves, Gonzaga
No. 19: Syracuse v. Kansas, Dwyane Wade, UCLA's 2006 team
No. 20: Pitt v. Villanova, Michael Beasley, and Duke's 2004 team
No. 21: Duke vs. Maryland in the 2001 ACC Semis, Josh Howard, Arizona's 2001 team
No. 22: Marquette v. Kentucky, Tayshaun Prince, UConn's 2009 team
No. 23: Vermont v. Syracuse, Andrew Bogut, and Memphis's 2008 team.
No. 24: UConn v. Miami, Luke Harangody, and Kansas's 2003 team
No. 25: Drake v. Western Kentucky, Wayne Simien, and Louisville's 2009 team.
Continue reading...

Love to Hate 'Em: The Most Hated Players of the Past Decade

College, as we all know is nothing more than a booze and testosterone filled popularity contest. At large universities, nobody is more popular than the star athletes. The student sections bow to them, the women love them, and the teachers pass them. But every so often, there is a player that exceeds even the highest level of popularity. They become so popular that they become intolerable by anyone not enrolled at that university.

One of the aspects of college basketball that separates it from other college sports is the creativity of the student sections. It's not just about getting the whole arena to wear the same color t-shirt. There are the Georgetown fans who dress up like animals, The Purdue Paint Crew (named after head coach Matt Painter), the Duke cult icon "Speedo guy", and innumerable others at pretty much every school in the country.

Fans use creativity to feel like they are part of the action. And if a player gives the student section a reason to heckle, razz or chastise, they will be more than happy to do so. All it takes is one isolated incident for student sections across the country to rise up and continue chants and insults started by other student sections.

The following list contains the most vilified hoops players of the past decade. Be warned, because we had to delve deep into the murky depths of student sections, some of the video material might be slightly NSFW. But then again, nothing that goes on in student sections would be considered safe for work.

J.J. Redick

There has not been a college basketball player in the last twenty years who was as universally despised as Redick was. He was the type of player that was so good at what he did, that you basically had to hate him. The flashy, brash, and cocky guard who threw up "the shocker" after a made 3-pointer was the main target of every student section he encountered.

After the 04-05 season, Redick appeared on ESPN and had some choice words for opposing fans, who had irritated Redick to his breaking point. It was game-on from there, as rival student sections pulled out all the stops to try and get inside the head of Redick. J.J. was constantly bombarded with insults about his sexual orientation (Terps fans referred to him as "Brokeback Redick"), his works of poetry, and his younger sister. At one point, Maryland and UNC fans got access to Redick's cell phone number. It was said that he received anywhere from 50-75 hate calls/texts a day. In 2006, Travis Clay of CBS Sportsline dubbed Redick as "the most hated current athlete in America". Think about it, Terrell Owens was in the process of destroying his second NFL locker room and Jose Canseco was snitching on former teammates. But nobody was more hated than Redick.

A lot of the hatred towards Redick probably had to do with a couple of things: He played for Duke, he was the best shooter in the country and played for Duke, he was overly cocky and played for Duke, and he got a lot of tail and played for Duke. Needless to say, a lot of his hatred had to do with the fact that he played at the most recognizable program in college hoops history. If Redick was dropping 30 a game at NC State and not Duke, I doubt he would have been tormented as bad as he was.

During Redick's time in Durham, rumors flew around the internet that Reddick was quite fond of pounding a fifth of Jack Daniels before shoot-a-round, and even that he did lines of cocaine in the locker room. While these rumors were nothing more than that, rumors, it did nothing to help Redick's reputation across college campuses.

Think about it. Redick was 6'4" and weighed under 200 pounds, and yet was the best player in the entire country in 2005. Redick did not look like the best player in the country. Part of the reason he was so hated is because he made so many guys across the country jealous. He wasn’t big, he wasn’t strong, nor was he particularly good-looking, yet he was treated like a god. He looked like every other frat member on campus, and still, girls probably broke up with their boyfriends just to have a shot at Redick. That right there is enough to make me jealous.


Greg Paulus

Paulus was lucky that he decided to attend Duke and not Notre Dame (for football). Because during Paulus's freshman year, he got to play in the backcourt with Redick and learned how to be hated from the very best. Paulus was never the outstanding point guard he was recruited to be, but he was good enough to be hated on by every student section in the ACC. Being the starting point guard for Duke carries a lot of baggage, and Paulus tried his best to handle the weight.



Paulus was a victim of posterization multiple times, the most famous being when Virginia Tech's Deron Washington leapt completely over Paulus' head. Not once, but twice.



From here on out, whenever the student section wanted to heckle the visitors, they chanted "Teabag Paulus". The rest of the country was quick to follow suit.



Fans never needed to be too creative when heckling Paulus, because whenever Duke was on the road, it was almost a given that there would be at least one "Teabag Paulus" chant during the game.

Paulus was the quintessential Duke point guard. He had heart and hustle, and to most non-Duke fans, it's enough to make you puke. Paulus was a master of Duke's patented "flop-charge", a maneuver that was more than enough to make opposing fans irate. Greg was never able to overcome all the heckling he received and the Duke teams he played on were never very successful. But to be frank, Paulus probably got it as bad as Reddick did from opposing fans. The only difference was that the fans hated Reddick on an entirely different level.


Eric Devendorf

Eric Devendorf was the bad boy of the Big East for the past four seasons. Every non-Syracuse fan in the northeast had something against "Devo". Maybe it was all the tattoos, maybe it was the line-beards or maybe it was his checkered past, whatever the case may be, if it was 2008, you more than likely were doing some hating on Eric Devendorf. After all, he was named by many media outlets as "the most hated player in the NCAA" for the 2008-2009 season. But obviously, a lot of this had to do with the assault charges filled against him last winter.



If you forget, Devo was said to have allegedly struck a female outside of a house party at 'Cuse. It's pretty safe to say that hitting a women will land you a spot on any "most hated" list. The public image of Devo is that he was a punk. But it wasn't just his off-court antics that landed him the title of "most hated" during the 2008-2009 season. Talking trash was his go-to move, and celebrating after a big three wasn't out of the ordinary either. In fact, Devo almost completely redeemed himself of his negative image by draining the game-winning 3-pointer in the Big East tournament against UConn. You remember, the one where he sank the three then jumped on the scorers table a la Dwayne Wade. Well, unfortunately the shot didn't count, but because of this, we were able to witness perhaps the greatest basketball game ever played.

Was Devo as bad a person as people made him out to be? It's very debatable. However, most of the hate he received was image-based. Nothing about his image said "character". Well, at least that's what most of America thought. But then again, his demeanor on the court certainly didn't say it either.

Ed. Note: We wrote a lengthy column last year defending Devendorf, and stand by what we wrote.


Luke Harangody

Notre Dame, like Duke and North Carolina, have the distinction of being prestigious athletic institutions, and therefore the athletes who represent them are scrutinized under a microscopic lens. In other words, its very easy to hate a Notre Dame athlete. It's obvious that the Irish football squad carries more pull than the hoops team. But when you are a white, Irish, 6'8" 250-pound power forward and not a nose tackle, you tend to attract a lot of attention.



Harangody entered Notre Dame with low expectations. As the largest member of the Irish squad, he was in charge of going up against some of the quintessential Big East bigs: Roy Hibbert, Hasheem Thabeet, DeJuan Blair, and David Padgett. Luke struggled mightily against the bigs, usually winding up on the bench with foul trouble.

I had the chance to see Harangody play during his freshman year in a game against Georgetown and Roy Hibbert. Harangody spent the majority of the time committing stupid fouls and complaining about them. The Georgetown student section was quick to jump on the behemoth freshman.

But Harangody made a huge leap in progress his sophomore year, propelling him into Naismith Award discussions and All-American prospective lists. Having said this, why would anybody hate a player like this?

Well first off, "The 'Gody" looks like the son of actor Gary Busey. Yup that's right, Gary Busey. Then add in the fact that Harangody doesn’t look like a chiseled NCAA power forward. His jump shot is horrendous-looking and he has a tendency to whine and complain about fouls and missed calls. His "all-out" style of play is the type that irks opposing student sections. He was named the Big East POY in his sophomore year, giving fans just another reason to hate the Irish big man. The West Virginia fans were quite fond of tormenting Harangody. It all stemmed from an incident during a ND vs. WVU game in Morgantown when Harangody and WVU's Cam Thoroughman got tangled up under the basket. The Mountaineer student section rode Harangody for the rest of the night. Give a listen to this:



Harangody never did anything off the court to draw negativity from fans (unlike his former teammate Kyle McAlarney, who was kicked out of school for drug possession, before being reinstated.) McAlarney was bombarded with chants of "Drug Dealer" and signs that said "McAlarney slept though D.A.R.E". Nonetheless it was Harangody who attracted much of the hate. He wasn't above throwing a hissy fit on the court, or trying to get in a tussle with the opposing big man. And he sure as hell didn't mind flopping on defense if he needed/wanted to. I'd say that's enough to make student sections chastise a player for 40 minutes.

I mean, just look at him. He looks like somebody you should hate. And most people do. But the one thing you can't hate him for is his productivity. He have averaged 20 ppg and 10 rpg every season except for his freshman year and has been a All Big-East first teamer the past two seasons.


Joakim Noah

Of all the players on the back-to-back championship Florida Gators team, nobody was as vocal as Noah. Nor was anybody as hated as Noah was. The son of a former tennis player and European model, Noah embraced the spotlight, and used his TV time to let opposing players and fans know that he didn't give a damn about what anybody thought about him or the Florida basketball team.



It can be argued that Noah was the least talented of all the players from the Gators' back-to-back title teams (five were drafted into the NBA), but nobody can argue that he was the most important player on the team. He wasn't the most skilled player on the floor, but what separated Noah from the rest was his desire.

Take a good look at Joakim Noah. It won't take long to figure out he's no pretty boy. His looks alone were enough to insight negative banter from the opposing fans. He had a nasty "independent film star" moustache that rivaled the one of Gonzaga's Adam Morrison. He had ratty hair that resembled Sideshow Bob's from The Simpsons. But worst of all, he was the guy that wore a pink tuxedo and bow tie to the NBA draft.

Noah's fame at Florida reached near cult level, but because of his flashy style and "Rodman-esque" on-court flare, he was chastised by opposing fans and the media. Some people hated the hair, some people hated the emotion, some people hated his style of play. But in the end, a lot of people just hated Joakim Noah.


We reached out to good friend, former teammate, and fellow blogger Danny Forcella for help with our Most Hated Players list, and he delivered, including sending a little love the way of JJ Redick.


Tyler Hansbrough

It's one thing to show no emotion at all, it's a whole other thing to be Tyler Hansbrough. This dude showed a lot of emotion during his four years at North Carolina, and every second of it made me want to throw up. There's a reason that his nickname was Psycho T. Hansbrough was a complete nut. His ridiculous actions on the court made me hate him more and more every time I saw him spaz around on the floor for a loose ball.



He was the epitome of getting the most out of what you have. Who likes that? I'm not a Husky fan, (just the first example that came into my head) but I loved cheering for a guy like Rudy Gay who was uber-talented but was labeled as lazy. He knew he was good and therefore didn't have to act like an idiot on the court.

Was he a star in college? Yes.

Is he now a star in the pros? Yes.

Did he ever make me want to throw myself through a window when I watched him play? No.

Tyler Hansbrough had one out of those three aspects.

He's never going to be a great pro, and everyone knew that. Sure he received numerous college accolades, and had the stats to ensure them, but that doesn't mean he deserved those stats. When you play in a manner that many basketball players can't respect, it diminishes your likeability. Falling on the ground every five seconds, pretending that you were fouled, is flat out bush league.

I was a UNC fan growing up. I loved the likes of VC, Rasheed, Stack, Jamison. Tyler Hansbrough single-handedly destroyed my fandom of the Tar Heels and turned it into a hatred for the school I once wanted to attend.


Roy Hibbert

As a generic rule, I usually dislike those that get undeserved high praise. Roy was touted as one of the best players in the country, and was even named Big East Preseason Player of the Year prior to his senior year. This is a dude who at 7'2" never averaged more than 13.4 points or 6.9 rebounds per game. 6.9 rebounds per game and you are 7'2"? His frontcourt teammate at Georgetown, Jeff Green, was miles better than him but got half the recognition.



Hibbert waddled around the court like a penguin. Nobody likes someone who looks so silly when they run. At 7'2" it's going to be awkward getting around a basketball court, but Hibbert did his best to make sure that happened. His shot was goofy, he couldn't jump, but yet this guy was supposed to be a star?

The guy showed absolutely no emotion. He looked half asleep most of the time out there on the court. Showing emotion plays a huge role in whether the public is going to like you, and by the public I mean me. Some people in the world actually enjoy a dude who just goes about his business, but not me. There is risk involved with having a personality though. It may be an awful one.

And finally Hibbert is to be hated because when he finally had a good enough team to make a run through the NCAA Tournament, he let a one man show defeat the Hoyas (and ruin my bracket). Roy put up six points and one rebound in 16 minutes of action while in foul trouble against Davidson.


Adam Morrison

Adam Morrison played at Gonzaga, which is a mid-major in the West Coast Conference. We could obviously talk again about how he was hyped well higher than his skill level, but the normal hatred for this college basketball player ran much deeper than undeserved stats and honors. It really comes down to two things. A moustache and crying.



Morrison was extremely gangly and had a girl's haircut during his years with the Zags. Although both characteristics turned me off, neither caused as much pain as his disgusting quazi-moustache. Here is the thing with facial hair. If you can grow a great beard, you do it at some point in college. Hey, if you want to have the luxury of being able to sport a sweet chin strap before you leave high school, then by golly you shave twice a day when you're a freshman (I actually don't recommend this doing this). A nice goatee or some solid muutton chops can do wonders for you as a young man, but under no circumstances do you let a peach fuzz-esque moustache grow in above your lip. When hair starts to grow on your face, but you can still see through it to your face, you know it's not a good look. Not to mention it is just a straight up stash. Unless you are in the 80s or an old man, moustaches just look weird on white dudes.

In the Zags' NCAA Tournament game against UCLA, the Bulldogs led the entire way only to see their lead slip away to the Bruins in the final seconds. Sure everyone and their brother has cried at one point or another, but it wasn't like Mr. Moustache against UCLA. This dude started balling hysterically before the game even ended! Yeah I've seen some dudes tear up at the post-game press conference. It is an emotional time, and when a player really cares about the team's success, his portrayal through tears can some times be heartfelt. Morrison's tears were not simple. The dude's face was going out of control. He couldn't contain himself. Let me remind you that the game wasn't even over yet. He could've taken it down for a game-winning shot. Did he? Of course not. He just finished filling up a soup bowl with massive tears. You can't play basketball like that. If America didn't detest this kid before that, it sure did him in.


JJ Redick

JJ was hated by so many during his years at Duke. Most people in the world hate Duke and therefore hate everyone from Duke. I, on the other hand, am an impartial observer. I don't like or dislike the men's basketball team at Duke University. I hated Greg Paulus and Sheldon Williams, I liked Corey Maggette and Jason Williams. And without a doubt, I loved JJ Redick.

JJ was a two-time ACC Player of the Year and received numerous National Player of the Year accolades. He knocked down more three-pointers in his college career than anyone in history. He tallied 457 over his four years, and he did it in style. Maybe I'm biased, because I was a three-point shooter, but I loved everything about his game. He ran off screens and J'ed in dudes' faces. And then of course he'd swag his way back down the other end of the court. Sure this was exactly the type of action that increased the public's hate for him, but as others hated on him more, my love for JJ grew larger.

It was this outlaw type of persona that made him such a polarizing personality. Either you hated him or you loved him, but I still don't see how anyone hated him. JJ was the nicest out and he proved it by how cool he was on the court.

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Top 15 Freshmen

After watching John Wall on Wednesday night in the Garden, its safe to say that John Wall is far and away the best freshman this season, if not the best player in the country. But there have been some great freshmen over the years, so the next logical step is to ask who were the best freshmen of all time.

Honorable Mention: Shareef Abdur-Raheem, Johnny Dawkins, Penny Hardaway, Allan Houston, Larry Hughes, Bobby Hurley, Allen Iverson, Kevin Love, Stephon Marbury, Alonzo Mourning, Troy Murphy, Lamar Odom, Derrick Rose, Dwayne Washington, the Fab Five


15. Pervis Ellison, Louisville - 13.1 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 2.2 bpg

Ellison is on this list not because of his overall performance as a freshman, but a result of his incredible NCAA Tournament. He averaged 18 and 12 as the Cardinal beat LSU and Duke to win the 1986 title. He won the tournament MOP, and picked up the nickname "Never Nervous Pervis".




14. Shaquille O'Neal, LSU - 13.9 ppg, 12.0 rpg, 3.5 bpg

Shaq wasn't the force he would eventually turn into as a pro, but a large part of that was a result of sharing the court with Chris Jackson and Stanley Roberts. While the footwork and skill level wasn't there yet, the overpowering physical presence and athleticism was. He was the first freshman to ever post two triple-doubles.


13. Patrick Ewing, Georgetown - 12.7 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 3.2 bpg

Ewing's numbers look paltry in comparison to the rest of the players on this list, but from the second he stepped on the Hoya's campus, he was the centerpiece for John Thompson's aggressive defense. Ewing would lead the Hoyas to the 1982 title game, becoming the standard with which all defensive centers are now compared.




12. Michael Beasley, Kansas State - 26.2 ppg, 12.4 rpg

All Michael Beasley did at Kansas State was produce. He led the nation with 28 double-doubles, three 40 points games, 13 30-10 games, and 22 20-10 games; he set the Big XII single-game scoring record with 44 points in a loss to Baylor; his per game averages of 26.2 points and 12.4 rebounds were Big XII records; he helped K-State beat Kansas in Manhattan since 1983; overall, he set 30 K-State and 17 Big XII single-season and career records.


11. Mark Aguirre, DePaul - 24.0 ppg, 7.6 rpg

Aguirre was a prolific scorer in his college basketball career, leading the Blue Demons to an upset win against UCLA as DePaul reached the 1979 Final Four, where they would lose to Larry Bird's Indiana State team.




10. Kenny Anderson, Georgia Tech - 20.6 ppg, 8.1 apg

Teaming with Dennis Scott and Brian Oliver to form "Lethal Weapon 3", Anderson was the spark plug for a Yellow Jacket team that made it to the Final Four. One of a long line of NYC "point gods", Anderson hit one of the controversial shot to force overtime in the Sweet 16 against Michigan State.




9. Kevin Durant, Texas - 25.1 ppg, 11.4 rpg

Despite being built like a pipe cleaner, Kevin Durant dominated a physical Big XII conference to the tune of 28.9 ppg and 12.5 rpg in league player. Twenty times, Durant eclipsed the 30 point mark as a freshman as he was named national player of the year.


8. Tyler Hansbrough, UNC - 18.9 ppg, 7.8 rpg

Hansbrough kicked off one of the most debated careers in college hoops history with an all-american season as a freshman in 2006. He carried a Tar Heel team that was devastated by the loss of their stars after the Heels' 2005 NCAA title with a combination of skill and effort.


7. Bernard King, Tennessee - 26.4 ppg, 12.3 rpg

Teaming with TNT's own Ernie Grunfeld to form the "Ernie and Bernie Show", King dominated the SEC, winning the player of the year award as a freshman while being named an all-american.




6. Magic Johnson, Michigan State - 17.0 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 7.4 apg

Magic Johnson almost didn't go to Michigan State, opting for the Spartans over the Wolverines because Jud Heathcote would allow him to play the point. Good decision by Heathcote, as Sparty won the Big Ten title and reached the Elite 8 of the NCAA Tournament riding their 6'9" point guard.


5. Ralph Sampson, Virginia - 14.9 ppg, 11.2 rpg, 4.6 bpg

Sampson, despite not being named to the first or second all-ACC team, was named first team all-america as he led the conference in rebounding and blocked shots as UVA won the 1980 NIT title. At 7'4", Sampson was one of the most intimidating interior presences in college basketball history.




4. Wayman Tisdale, Oklahoma - 24.5 ppg, 10.3 rpg, 2.5 bpg

Tisdale was Blake Griffin before there was a Blake Griffin. As a freshman, Tisdale was named Big Eight Conference player of the year and was named a first team all-american, the first freshman to do so after they were allowed to play again (the '71-'72 season).




3. Fly Williams, Austin Peay - 29.3 ppg, 7.6 rpg

There have been few talents like Fly Williams in the history of college hoops, who twice scored 51 in a game as a freshman. His 854 points as a freshman was a record, only topped by LSU's Chris Jackson who had the benefit of a three point line. Williams was the biggest reason that Austin Peay reached their first ever NCAA Tournament in 1973.


2. Chris Jackson, LSU - 30.2 ppg, 4.1 apg

Hands down, Jackson (who changed his name to Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf) was one of the best scorers college basketball has ever seen. Lightening quick with a deadly cross over and range for days, Jackson would lead LSU to the NCAA Tournament while setting the record for points scored by a freshman, a record which still stands. He was the first freshman named SEC Player of the Year.


1. Carmelo Anthony, Syracuse - 22.2 ppg, 10.0 rpg

This was, in reality, a pretty easy choice. Anthony was the centerpiece offensively for a Syracuse team that won the national title. He was named second team all-america and first team all-Big East as well as being named the 2003 NCAA Tournament's Most Outstanding Player.


Continue reading...

NBA Draft Prospects: Tyler Hansbrough, UNC

Stats: 20.7 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 1.2 spg, 1.0 apg, 1.9 t/o's, 51.4% FG, 84.1% FT, 39.1% 3PT

Listed Size: 6'9", 230 lb, 11/3/1985 (23 years old)



About Him: If you read this site, then I'm certain you already know and have formed your own conclusions regarding Hansbrough and his potential as an NBA player. Personally, I think Hansbrough is going to have a decent career as a role-playing type.

Hansbrough is a fairly unique player. Some guys survive simply because they are incredible athletes; other guys are just that talented or fundamentally sound; still others can get by because they are exceptional at one thing. Hansbrough gets by on effort and work ethic. He is going to beat you down the floor, or out hustle you to get to an offensive rebound, or out work you to get position on the block.

That's not to say that Hansbrough isn't a skilled player - you don't put up the numbers he did just because you play hard. He has some decent post moves, but nothing too advanced. His go-to move in the paint is a half-jump-hook, half-turn-around that he can hit going over either shoulder. He probably won't be able to effectively score in isolations situations on the block in the league, however. He got a lot of his points simply because he was stronger than the guys he was going up against, using the strength to go through a defender and draw a foul. That won't be the case in the NBA.

On the defensive side of the ball, there are more question marks. Hansbrough does not have the length required to be a shut-down defender in the post, and one of the biggest knocks on him is his relative lack of athleticism. But Hansbrough tested out better than expected at the combine. More importantly, Hansbrough is the kind of guy that will work hard. When it comes down to it, the willingness to put in the effort defensively is just as, if not more, important than any other tool in projecting how good of a defender a prospect will be.

The one thing Hansbrough really improved upon this past season was the range on his jumper. While he didn't shoot many, he was a threat to knock down a three ball. Being able to knock down an 18 footer will be huge for him. He does not really project as an offensive threat in the pros (at least not on the same level as he was in college), so being able to hit that shot would force defenses to keep honest.

Comparisons: Best Case: Brandon Bass, Paul Millsap, Charles Oakley (stretch); Worst Case: Mark Madsen, Brian Cardinal.

Bottom Line: Hansbrough is a proven winner and a workaholic. He's not the kind of guy that is going to be a cancer in the locker room. While his star potential is not going to be too high, he could carve himself out a nice little career if he lands in the right place.

Highlights:





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Is Tyler Hansbrough the best college basketball player of the last 20 years?

Has there ever been a more decorated college hooper? Four time all-american, and a three-time consensus first-teamer. He won a national player of the year award. He is the ACC's all-time leading scorer. He is college basketball's most prolific free throw shooter, ever. He is the first guy to lead his team in scoring and rebounding for four seasons in ACC history. Conference player of the year. All-ACC teams. The list goes on.

But now, it is complete.

With the win last night, Hansbrough silenced his doubters that said his legacy was not complete without a title.

Hansbrough celebrates his national title.
(photo credit: Detroit Free Press)

So now his legacy is complete. But what, exactly, is that legacy?

For the last few years, Hansbrough has been one of the most hated players in all the game, right up there at JJ Redick and Christian Laettner's level. He got all the foul calls, but was never called for a travel. He played too hard, but he didn't show enough emotion. He'll never make it as a pro, but he was dumb to come back for his senior season. He put up great numbers, but he wasn't as good as everyone says he is.

But doesn't being the best and being hated go hand-in hand? How many people love Kobe Bryant that don't wear purple and gold?

And let's face it, over the last four season, Hansbrough has been the best. Sure, Michael Beasley and Kevin Durant had great seasons, but I challenge you to name me one player that even nears Hansbrough level of play over this four year period.

So if he is the best over the last four years, how does that stack up with the players of the last 20? How do you determine "the greatest college basketball player?"

I see three criterion. First off, you have to have played at least three, preferably four, years in school. Part of what makes college athletes so amazing is that they are able to perform at a high level in the classroom as well as on the court/field/pool/etc. Carmelo Anthony taking one semester's worth of classes while leading Syracuse to a national title should not get him put into consideration.

The second is that you have to have won something. Conference crowns, made a Final Four, the Preseason NIT. Something. You cannot be the greatest even without having won anything.

The third, and maybe the most important is that you have to be remembered for what you did in college. Tim Duncan played four years at Wake Forest, leading them to a couple very successful years. Many people put him in the conversation as greatest college basketball player. But how many people can tell you, off the top of their head, where Tim Duncan went to college. Then think about how many can tell you where Laettner went to school.

Hansbrough passes all of these with flying colors. He passed on the NBA Draft three times, even though he probably hurt his draft stock in the process. He has won numerous ACC titles, reached two Final Fours, and now has won a national title. And I challenge you to find a single (knowledgeable) person that thinks Hansbrough can ever come close to duplicating his collegiate success in the league.

So was Hansbrough better than Laettner? There is no easy answer to that question, and odds are your choice probably centers more around the shade of blue you wear than on any factual evidence.

I will say this. I won't remember Hansbrough for his exploits on the court. I won't remember him for winning this title. I won't remember him for the ridiculous dances he did to celebrate.

Tyler Hansbrough seconds after the clock ran out last night.
(photo credit: AP)

What I will remember him for is putting team first. Think about this - Hansbrough, as good as he was, was not the MVP for this UNC team. He was not the focal point of what the Heels wanted to do offensively, and while he did average over 20 ppg, he was not the go-to player for this team.

That distinction would go to Ty Lawson. Hansbrough was in and out of the line-up during the season's first seven games, sitting out four of them and playing limited minutes during the other three. UNC's record: 7-0. Ty Lawson sat out two games during the ACC Tournament. UNC's record: 1-1.

This was best exemplified during the Elite 8 games against Oklahoma. Hansbrough was going to have a chance to go up against the guy that took his national player of the year title in Blake Griffin. Most players would salivate at the opportunity to make a statement in a match-up like this.

Not Hansbrough.

He finished with just 8 points and 6 boards, spending much of the game as a decoy (four field goal attempts) and a defender. Griffin? He went for 23 points, 16 boards, and a couple thunderous dunks, solidifying his standing as 2009 POY.

Hansbrough lost their 1-on-1 battle, but he won the war as the Tar Heels advanced to the Final Four with a 72-60 win.

And that was perfectly fine with Hansbrough. Why? Because he was all about UNC, all about his team, and all about winning.

That is how I will remember Hansbrough.
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Tyler Hansbrough thinks he is Stretch Armstrong

Funniest moment of the tournament.

In the second half of the Oklahoma-North Carolina Elite 8 game, Tyler Hansbrough put the ball on the floor and drove the lane. He was cut off by Blake Griffin a good five feet from the rim. Hansbrough went up, and tried to go Dwight Howard on the guy that is going to take his reign as player of the year.

Just watch:



I'm not really sure what Hansbrough expected to happen. But I'll tell you what the result was - a video that will go down in youtube infamy. Continue reading...

Tyler Hansbrough: Will the Real Psycho T Please Stand Up

His 21.1 ppg is enough to lead the league in scoring.

The 7.6 rpg he averages is top ten.

When discussing his numbers in just conference games, the 20.0 points and 8.0 rebounds he averages both put him in the top five.

Not a bad season to be having, right?

That is unless you are reigning national player of the year Tyler Hansbrough.

In most years, those numbers would be enough to be considered for the ACC player of the year award, and thrown in the discussion for national player of the year. Receiving those accolades becomes even more likely when you consider that the numbers come from the leading scorer and rebounder of the best team in the ACC and possibly the new #1 team in the country (depending on voting this weekend).

The reason I bring this up is that Hansbrough is no where near the conversation for national player of the year. He isn't even (and shouldn't be) brought up when discussing the ACC player of the year.

Why? Because he is not even the player of the year on his own team. That distinction would go the engine behind the high-powered Tar Heel offense - Ty Lawson.

The way I see it, there are nine other guys in the ACC that could and should be considered for the player of the year award: Toney Douglas, Jack McClinton, Tyrese Rice, Malcolm Delaney, Ty Lawson, Gerald Henderson, Kyle Singler, Trevor Booker, and Jeff Teague.

Look at that list for a second. Toney Douglas and Jack McClinton are both averaging over 23 ppg. Jeff Teague had his name thrown around as national player of the year a month ago. So did Ty Lawson, two months ago.

There is a chance that Hansbrough ends up as a second team all-ACC player this season (for the record, I mean that he ends up deserving to be a second team all-ACC player because there is no way that Trevor Booker is voted on to the first team over Hansbrough or fellow media darling Kyle Singler).

Regardless, the point is that Psycho T is more like Mildly Unbalanced T this year. Bad joke aside, what is the reason?

Well, for starters, Hansbrough began the season injured. How seriously? Not important.

What is important is that he missed some time. Hansbrough sat four of the first seven games, and played a limited amount in two of the others. Not being on the court (for games or practices) allowed other guys on the team to step-up and grow an expanded role on the team.

Guys like Lawson, Wayne Ellington, and Danny Green, all of who are having great seasons.

Hansbrough is not a selfish guy. He is not me first. He turned his back on NBA riches not once, not twice, but three times. He came back last season even though his team reached the Final Four and he was national player of the year. Setting Carolina records and winning back-to-back player of the year awards must have been an enticing thought, but I also am pretty sure that the #1 goal (by far) of coming back to school was to win a ring.

Yup, Hansbrough just wanted to win a national title.
(photo credit: Rush the Court)

You want evidence? How about the fact that he defers to his teammates. He has a tendency to fade during games not because he has lost his aggressiveness or his ability. It is because Lawson, Ellington, Green, and fellow bigs Ed Davis and Deon Thompson are all good enough that they can carry the Heels for stretches.

Hansbrough can still put up the numbers. He had 27 and 7 last night in a win over NC State. But the fact that he can step back and allow someone else to take over, especially when it is someone as talented as his teammates are, is what makes this Carolina team a favorite to win the national title. Continue reading...

The Stress Fracture Bug Hits The Heels Again

First, it was Marcus Ginyard with a stress fracture in his foot that required surgery, knocking UNC's best defender out of the line-up for about two months. Now, it appears as if reigning ACC player of the year Tyler Hansbrough will have to miss some time with what the school is calling a "stress reaction" in his shin.

From The Worldwide Leader:

The reigning Associated Press player of the year did not practice Thursday. Instead, he underwent an MRI that revealed the stress reaction, which if not properly treated could lead to a stress fracture, team spokesman Steve Kirschner said.

The school issued a statement saying there is no timetable for his return and no further information on the injury was available. Coach Roy Williams said he would have no comment until Friday after he meets with Hansbrough and the medical staff.

Hansbrough still has over two weeks until UNC opens up with Penn on Nov. 15th, but depending on the severity of the stress reaction, he may miss his first start in the 108 games that he has been at Chapel Hill.

Stress reactions and stress fractures seem like a difficult injury to deal with, as you don't want to rush a player back too soon. Case in point, Marcus Ginyard. He played most of last year with what team officials called a stress reaction, and after aggravating the injury in August, he needed surgery to fix it.

No matter how much you hate a certain player, you can't enjoy hearing news like this. Although I, too, am getting sick of hearing about how perfect Hansbrough is, both on and off the court. But the kid busts his behind every second he is on the floor, and clearly loves playing this game (why else would he pass up the NBA's millions for three straight summers), so here's to hoping he makes a full and speedy recovery.

Besides, I would much rather see him getting dunked on than sitting on the bench in street clothes. Continue reading...