Hansbrough breaks mark in Heels' win

Staff photo by Robert Willett

CHAPEL HILL — Since the day he stepped foot on the North Carolina campus, forward Tyler Hansbrough has been working to diversify his offensive resume by trying to extend his shooting range.

But it seemed fitting that when it came time to break UNC’s three-decades-old career scoring record during the top-ranked Tar Heels’ 91-73 victory over Evansville on Thursday night, the senior went back to an old staple: a power move.

With 7:42 left in the first half at the Smith Center, Hansbrough pivoted around Purple Ace forward James Haarsma to muscle a bank a shot off the glass and score his 10th point of the night and 2,292nd point of his career, breaking the mark (2,290) that point guard Phil Ford set from 1974-78.

Point guard Ty Lawson also chipped in 16 points for the Tar Heels, and coach Roy Williams appeared frustrated at times by his team’s performance — particularly after Evansville’s Shy Ely ended the first half with a dunk, leading the angry coach to stomp off the court despite the fact that his team led by 18 points. And with 16:17 left, when he substituted for all five of his starters despite leading by 19.

But the night belonged to Hansbrough, who accepted the game ball and an embrace from Ford, now an assistant coach for the Charlotte Bobcats, immediately after he set the record. A sellout crowd — some of whom held signs stating “Ford 2,290” on one side, and “Hansbrough, 2,291+” on the other — were on their feet for a rousing ovation to celebrate the moment.

Hansbrough, who finished with 20 points and nine rebounds, had already secured his place in Tar Heel history — and in the retired jersey portion of the Smth Center rafters, near Ford — by earning consensus national player of the year honors last season. But breaking such a long-standing record cements his still-blooming legend.

Ford passed the likes of Lennie Rosenbluth, Charles Scott and Larry Miller because they could only play varsity basketball for three years. Meanwhile, Antawn Jamison, Michael Jordan and Rashad McCants failed to pass Ford because they chose to only stay three years.

Then came Hansbrough, the sometimes-awkward looking big man from Poplar Bluff, Missouri who opted to forego the NBA after his freshman, sophomore and junior seasons in order to try to win an NCAA title. Although he said he was a little nervous straying from the lane his rookie season, he actually scored his first Tar Heel bucket on Nov. 19, 2005 when he led a three-on-2 fast break against Gardner-Webb that concluded with a jump shot in the lane.

And he’s barely slowed since, topping UNC’s chart for all-time free throw attempts — he passed the 1,000 mark Thursday night — en route20to his latest record.

Still, the big man continues to try to extend his shooting range, and if he remains healthy, his improving touch combined with his classic power could help him become the ACC’s all-time leading scorer, as well; currently, Duke’s J.J. Redick holds that mark with 2,769 points.

BRIEFLY: Danny Green became the 61st player at UNC to score 1,000 points when he buried a three-pointer in the second half.