Every media outlet in the free world trumpeted the news on Monday that Tyler Hansbrough became the first four-time unanimous All-ACC selection. Not quite, not unless the definition of unanimous has changed.
Hansbrough received every first-team vote for his freshman, junior and senior seasons. That is not in dispute. His sophomore season (2006-07), however, he received 105 of 106 first-team votes.
Patrick Stevens, who covers Maryland for The Washington Times, put Hansbrough on the second team behind Virginia guard J.R. Reynolds that season. Remember, in '06-'07 Virginia won 11 ACC games and tied UNC for the regular-season title.
UVa guard Sean Singletary made the first team (with Jared Dudley, Al Thornton, Zabian Dowdell and Hansbrough) and Reynolds was on the second team. While Hansbrough led UNC in scoring, forward Brandan Wright emerged during the conference schedule as arguably the Heels' best post player. Stevens had Reynolds on the first team and Hansbrough on the second team. That's a legitimate vote.
When the ACC announced the All-ACC team, Stevens noticed Hansbrough as being a "unanimous" selection (along with Dudley and Thornton). He brought his vote to the attention of the powers of the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association and was told in special cases, players were rounded up, like a decimal point, to unanimous status.
So consensus, yes, but unanimous in '06-'07, no.
And if there's a "you're close, so we'll give it to you" policy, then — as Ovies correctly points out — FSU's Toney Douglas should be annointed "unanimous" from this year's vote.
Comments
Unanimous with an asterisk
Tue, 07/27/2010 - 04:23 — chicagocraiglistHansbrough is one of the
Tue, 11/10/2009 - 13:48 — sandiegorealestateHansbrough is one of the greatest players in ACC history. Are you proposing that the ACC strip Hansbrough of that history because of one vote?
Regards,
Aden Jeff - san diego real estate
posting moniker
Thu, 10/29/2009 - 04:41 — victor_1May be you should change your posting moniker (not monacre) to WolfpackAshamed Guy. Wedding Dresses
Wedding Flowers
missed
Fri, 04/24/2009 - 03:17 — umakatrickmissed by a 100% margain over Hansbrough if you want to get nitpicky. online law school degree
But, I don't care, call Toney D. an unanimous pick for ALL ACC.
online criminal justice degree
online information technology degree
Rehab, you vote changers!
Wed, 03/11/2009 - 21:13 — killerleftThey said he got all votes for four years, but meant "No, no, no."
I guess they tried to hoodwink our fans, we say "No, no, no."
Don't get every vote, you can be sure you missed the boat.
Tell the truth or go to rehab, yeah, just "Go, go, go."
Tarhole Fans Are Blind
Wed, 03/11/2009 - 16:55 — HansflopperGood grief - it's very simple - either he got all of the votes or he didn't. What is all this nonsense about "how the ACC defines it"? Are you living in George Orwell's 1984? Can the ACC redefine what unanimous means? It now means "nearly every vote"? I'll give Tyler his due, even though he flops twice as often as Greg Paulus. This isn't about how good he is - this is about fraud that the ACC tried to perpetuate and then tried to cover up. It's disgraceful and gives credence to MD fans who always raise the spector of the conspiracy of Tobacco Road.
Who Cares
Wed, 03/11/2009 - 19:07 — the_wb91The only people who cares are those idiots who are not fans of the number 1 team or the 4 time ACC-All American... suckas!
The person who was executive secretary of the writers is a UNC
Wed, 03/11/2009 - 13:14 — Montanangrad,Mr. Justus.
Apparently, the writer contacted Mr. Justus when the unanimous announcement was made, but Justus did not correct the error.He had made the change originally and maintained the fabrication.
Ballot integrity is a serious matter. This guy should not have been supervising the matter as it is an apparent conflict of interest.
Why indeed, if this were policy, was Douglas not elevated to POY?
The answer seems to be that there never was such a procedure.Justus did it for Tyler and refused to correct the fabrication when notified or... he was drinking the UNC True Believer juice and could not fathom that anyone could not vote TH 1st team and in a fevah changed the ballot.
such a procedure.Justus did
Mon, 04/27/2009 - 06:09 — umakatricksuch a procedure.Justus did it for Tyler and refused to correct the fabrication when notified or... he was drinking the UNC True Believer juice and could not fathom that anyone could not vote TH 1st team and in a fevah changed the ballot. Homeschool high school | GED Classes Online
Hansbrough
Wed, 03/11/2009 - 09:52 — heelsno1Thank God for the asterisk...a journalist's best friend. That, and words like conundrum.
Now, we must put an asterisk next to Art Heyman's name and David Thompson's and Phil Ford's and Mugsy Bougues', etc. ...the league had fewer teams in their day so it was easier to be chosen as one of the top 5 players in the league since there was less competition for one of the top 5 slots.
Asterisk or not, Tyler Hansbrough will be forever remembered as one of the best ever to compete in the ACC.
Where was this opinion
Wed, 03/11/2009 - 08:36 — Worz4UNCLAST YEAR?
"Say it ain't so Joe"
Wed, 03/11/2009 - 10:52 — TruthorclosetoitSo Joe, Hansbrough is not a unanimous pick because you say he is not? Let's think this through Joe. The ACC or its designees decide who is on the all-ACC team., and who is a unanimous pick. They decide this based upon the criteria they choose to use. Now you say they changed a vote and gave it to Hansbrough. Well, if they, being the powers that be, gave the vote to Hansbrough, then Hansbrough has all the votes; does he not? Now if he has all the votes, doesn't that make him a unanimous pick for all-ACC? You and the anti-Hansbrough/UNC crowd may not like it Joe. You may not like how it was done; but the truth is Joe, Hansbrough is a 4-year unanimous pick for all-ACC as decided by the ACC. You can throw all the spitballs you wish Joe. The battleship moves right on into the ACC tournament unphased. And for those who question his credentials, Hansbrough will likely leave UNC as, statistically, the best player ever to play in the ACC. And by the way Joe, if you go to ACC.Com and you look up the 06/07 All-ACC first team, there is an Asterisk beside Hansbrough's name; the asterisk designates "unanimous selection,"
You are not even close to the truth
Thu, 03/12/2009 - 13:27 — HansflopperThis is the most Orwellian reply I've ever seen. The ACC gets to choose what makes someone unanimous and we're supposed to sit back and let them do that? And Joe's column is not hateful or "throwing spitballs" - you are so blinded by UNC's insistence that records be made true even when they are not (like your fifth mythical championship that NO ONE recognizes outside of Chapel Hill) makes your blog name quite ironic. You are neither telling the truth nor are you close to it. Unanimous means every vote - you can't go back and change votes from 2 years ago just because you have an overzealous alumni who wants to give Hansbrough an honor he never achieved.
truth
Tue, 03/10/2009 - 23:16 — mdha1aAs a Carolina fan I have no problem with this article or JPG, as I believe it to be the truth, and furthermore I find the article interesting and worthwhile. The ACC is so intent on marketing it's stellar players that they appear to get a little carried away sometimes. I have enjoyed watching Hansbrough's quirky style and incredible work ethic for 4 years and, especially, the 6 victories out of 8 games against Duke (so far). Almost equally enjoyable has been the comments from Duke fans who find fault with nearly everything Tyler does, because he truly drives them crazy. Thank you Tyler Hansbrough, and thank you Duke fans.
sorry heels, tyler
Tue, 03/10/2009 - 22:34 — toddchrissyou are not a unanimous 4 time all acc. thats it , said and done. the man never voted for him and thats that. now lets here tarheel fan cry that he gets a special halaueyah and anote him this prestige just because he is a heel.christian laettner doent have to worry about stuff like this because he got all the votes. tyler couldnt wear leattner s jock strape. 4 final fours 2 national championships, take no crap from anybody, never let someone break your nose and 2 time national player of the year.plus thow elbows and kick anybody that got in his way.beat unlv, shaq, morning, and hoyas and everybody else that got in his way.
toddpiss
Wed, 03/11/2009 - 19:05 — the_wb91Everyone know Tark through that game. Laetner better then Hansbrough? LOL. He is so far ahead of that chump... u r a true idiot.
Hansbrough
Tue, 03/10/2009 - 18:25 — rbl1944WolfpackPrideGuy,
Maybe you should change your posting moniker (not monacre) to WolfpackAshamed Guy. Spelling, obviously, isn't one of your strong points, but at least you should attempt to express yourself properly while spewing your venom. That will give you some credibility, and avoid the impression that you are a moron.
I'm a Tar Heel fan and I
Tue, 03/10/2009 - 14:43 — tdietteI'm a Tar Heel fan and I have no problem with reporting this. I think it is funny that the ACC calls this unanimous. I would not. I was about to accuse the ACC of trying to make history, but their March 6, 2007 press release reported Hansbrough as unanimous (see the link)
http://www.theacc.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/030607aal.html
I would question your defense of the Maryland writer's vote. Who were the 5 players he put ahead of Tyler (that is the relevant question, not just if you could put Reynolds first team)? He was third in the POY voting. If you had to pick 3 of Reynolds, Hansbrough, Dowdell, and Singletary you would take Tyler last?? 70 odd other writers disagreed with the MD guy's view. (Dudley was POY and Thornton second).
I also would call out JP for a bit of revisionist history to say that Wright was ever the Tar Heels #1 post option. Wright was a great player, but he was not a primary option on the offensive end at any point.
The story should be that Tyler would be four time unanimous pick if not for one idiot....so the ACC instead chose to throw out the angry Russian judge.
Either way, amazing to accomplish something that Duncan, Laettner and other 4 year greats did not manage in being 4-time All-ACC. But legit point by JP to raise!
The investigative reporting continues...
Tue, 03/10/2009 - 14:51 — tdiettehttp://www.theacc.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/030507aaq.html
above is the link to the full all-acc announcement.
Did the ACC change his vote? The total number of #1 votes add up to 5*106. And they show Tyler with 106. Did the Maryland guy forget who he voted for? If not, who did they take the vote away from?????
Further evidence of the guy likely being an idiot, note the two votes for Strawberry for first team, safe to assume that he was one of these votes?
No changed votes
Tue, 03/10/2009 - 15:13 — joegiglio (author)http://blog.washingtonpost.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.
1) Stevens' first team was Dudley, Thornton, Dowdell, Singletary and Reynolds
2) Never said Wright was the No. 1 option, said he was arguably UNC's best post player. Maybe I was hallucinating during the ACC Tournament.
3) The vote was never changed. As I wrote in the first post — and others did in 2007 — ACSMA rounded up the vote. Stevens asked why his vote wasn't reflected in the total (of 106) and was told in certain cases if a player is "one or two" votes short they will deem the player "unanimous."
And for the record, I find this entire dialogue amusing, as if I cast the dissenting vote and/or fabricated the entire incident.
Substitute "Player A" for Tyler Hansbrough's name and we would be having the SAME conversation.
As far as I'm concenred being unanimous is like being pregnant. You either are or you aren't. In the case of Player A in 2006-07, he did not receive EVERY vote.
— JPG
Math DOES NOT WORK!! WHO LOST a VOTE?
Tue, 03/10/2009 - 15:32 — tdietteYou can't "round up" to 106 (if there are 106 ballots) without rounding someone else down.
Below are the "votes" of 106 writers. There are 530 total first place votes (5*106). So if they magically add one to Tyler (which I fully believe), then they MUST SUBTRACT from someone else to keep 530 total votes (or else there would be 531 first place votes)!!!!!!! I hope folks follow this silly discussion and understand my comment!
The story should be who should have one more vote?
*Jared Dudley, Boston College (106), 318
*Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina (106), 318
*Al Thornton, Florida State (106), 318
Sean Singletary, Virginia (100), 312
Zabian Dowdell, Virginia Tech (90), 302
Second team
J.R. Reynolds, Virginia (20), 232
D.J. Strawberry, Maryland (2), 180
Unamimous for Hansbrough
Tue, 03/10/2009 - 13:58 — hlweylYou know, the most important point here is this :
Tyler could care less whether he is unanimous or not.
He and the team have three goals in front of them: the ACC Tournament title, the NCAA South Regional Title, and the National title.
So squawk all you want, he doesn'r really care!
Go Heels! Go for the national championship!
Nobody's squawking
Tue, 03/10/2009 - 14:25 — joegiglio (author)Just noting for the record.
— JPG
Nobody's squawking
Tue, 03/10/2009 - 16:31 — hlweylJournalists ... anything for controversy
The term in the media, as
Tue, 03/10/2009 - 13:22 — SurferThe term in the media, as you say, is "unanimous All-ACC selection". Sounds like it is true, as defined by the ACC. Is the true definition of unanimous different that that defined by the ACC? Yes, it seems so. But as defined by the ACC it is a unanimous selection. So therefore, in context it is true.
JPG did you take down Jeter as well
Tue, 03/10/2009 - 13:15 — echllcJPG-
People in the past call have said you suck as a reporter, and I have disagreed until now. Why bring up something that demeans a player, a great player who is one of the best? Hell you probably were in on the Derek Jeter steriod use fiasco as well. Good thing we dont put asterisks beside reporters names........Nice flavor saver btw.
Love Jeter
Tue, 03/10/2009 - 13:40 — joegiglio (author)And nothing about the factual historic record demeans Hansbrough. He's a four-time first-team All-ACCer (and without looking, I'd guess he's the only player in the league's history who can say that).
The point is he wasn't unanimous — defined by every but the ACSMA as every vote — in 2006-07. The historical record should note that, regardless of anyone's opinion of Hansbrough.
— JPG
look
Tue, 03/10/2009 - 14:40 — gvillegatrjust admit you wrote this piece with a smile. thats all I am asking for.
Hilarious
Tue, 03/10/2009 - 16:29 — mikbarrettIf people like you can't handle a factual article that just doesn't happen to trumpet Carolina's so-called glory, maybe you should spend all your time on the school athletic website. What the hell do you want, the UNC-Chapel Hill form of Al-Jazeera? Idiots.
How interesting - Don't spoil the parade!
Tue, 03/10/2009 - 13:08 — WolfpackPrideGuyPowder blue fans act like what JP is saying is not worthy journalism... I take it to be counterpoint to what I read yesterday as Hansbrough being the first, and therefore only, four time unanimous All-ACC player in history. I am glad to know that this is not true. He may be the closest yet, but my definition of unanimous does not include rounding up when someone doesn't vote for you. This is a fact that I am glad he has brought to my attention. So, continue with your Powder Blue Parade, but without the "4 time unanimous" monacre.
Jealous
Tue, 03/10/2009 - 15:02 — the_wb91You know it's so freaking obvious that Wolfpackpride is jealous. When you really don't have much to pull for... you have to search and scrounge for something to hurt someone else. The sad thing is... no UNC fan give a crap!
you're glad to know
Tue, 03/10/2009 - 14:38 — gvillegatrb/c in your warped mind of thinking you prolly think this takes away from Tyler and/or UNC Nation. it does not. hes still the best ever to play in the ACC! stats and votes do not lie!
best my a@#$%!!!!
Tue, 03/10/2009 - 22:43 — toddchrissive watched acc basketball for 30 years and tyler is not evan close to being the best player.not evanby a long shot.didnt out score redick, never made it to 4 final fours, never played in three national championships( see leattner, hurley)then there is ralph sampson, david thompson,he might be in the top ten of the tar heelsand thats about it,
What's possibly being lost in all of this?
Tue, 03/10/2009 - 12:43 — UNC1998Hansbrough is one of the greatest players in ACC history. Like it or not, statistically it will go down like that. People do and will argue that forever, but records will be there and votes will be there and stats will be there.
not evan close.
Tue, 03/10/2009 - 22:47 — toddchrisshansbourohg might be in the top 30 but no where near the top.sorry i can crap in a box and put a guarantee on it and what do you have, his stats are meaning less. half his points come from the freethrow line on phantom calls.maybe top 10 in unc history.maybe.
Joe Giglio = Yellow
Tue, 03/10/2009 - 12:36 — JamesinWillowSpringsJoe Giglio = Yellow Journalism?
Joe's trying to kick start the Spanish American War, v. 2K9
Wow so pitnicky. Are you
Tue, 03/10/2009 - 12:11 — uncfan29Wow so pitnicky. Are you proposing that the ACC strip Hansbrough of that history because of ONE vote? You, sir, are a muck-raker .
Nailed it. If they did for
Tue, 03/10/2009 - 11:59 — JamesinWillowSpringsNailed it.
If they did for Hans-brah, they should do it for Toney.
nailed it?
Tue, 03/10/2009 - 12:34 — gvillegatrhe missed by a 100% margain over Hansbrough if you want to get nitpicky.
But, I don't care, call Toney D. an unanimous pick for ALL ACC.