Now that Tyler Hansbrough is this late in his senior season, having been around for almost four years scoring and rebounding at the pace he's been scoring and rebounding, just about everything he does sets some kind of a record.
(For example: Saturday's 28 points gave him his 73rd career game with at least 20 points, extending his own ACC record.)
In Saturday's 104-74 win over Georgia Tech, Hansbrough converted the 906th free throw of his career early in the second half, passing Wake Forest's Dickie Hemric for the NCAA record.
At the next stoppage, the milestone was announced to the crowd, and Hansbrough stood to acknowledge the reception, surrounded by his applauding teammates. It's not the first time he's had to wave to the fans, and it won't be the last, but Hansbrough said it never gets old.
"Not really. It's not like I'm going out there trying to break everybody's records," Hansbrough said. "First of all, this is an NCAA record so it's kind of special to me. It's not just the conference or something like that. It's everybody who's played. Also, these records are kind of on the back burner right now. I'm trying to focus on winning ball games and making a run in March."
You could make the argument that anyone who has so many ACC records that "it's not just the conference" is suffering from some degree of record fatigue, but Hansbrough has been genuinely excited about those (or passing Phil Ford for the Carolina scoring record, for example) at the time.
And there's more to come. He's 38 rebounds short of Sam Perkins' Carolina record, 91 points short of J.J. Redick's ACC record and five double-figure games behind Redick.
At one point, Hansbrough was on target to break Redick's record next weekend on Senior Night against Duke, but at his current pace, Carolina is going to need to play at least three postseason games for Hansbrough to break the record, which is certainly likely. (Even if the Heels were upset in their first ACC Tournament game, what are the odds the same thing would happen in the first round of the NCAA Tournament?)
Hansbrough can expect a few more accolades before he's done, even if teammate Ty Lawson appears to be the front-runner for ACC player-of-the-year honors. There's nothing wrong with savoring each one as it comes along.
Luke has worked for The N&O since 2000. He covered the Carolina Hurricanes and the NHL before becoming a sports columnist in August 2008. A native of Evanston, Ill., he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. He can be reached at 829-8947 or 
Comments
Tyler Hansbrough
Mon, 03/02/2009 - 15:16 — heelsno1What I just read is so absurd that it is laughable...someone suggesting that there is a debate as to whether or not Tyler Hansbrough will be a first team All-ACC selection again this year. This is not a matter of reputation for past excellence and hard work...you need to re-examine his numbers for his senior season.
Start with this...Hansbrough is the ACC's leading scorer on the league's first-place team. Now this...he has already broken many UNC and conference records, and he just became the NCAA standard bearer for free throws. Both for the accomplishments this season and for his "body of work" at UNC, there is no player more deserving of first team All-ACC. I guarantee you that if any one of the ACC coaches were picking their starting five from all of the available players, Hansbrough would be selected each and every time. Mike Krzyzewski summed it up when he said, "We know Superman wears number 50."
Lawson and Hansbough will both be on the first team, along with Henderson, Douglas and McClinton. Wake's Teague and Johnson deserve recognition, but they have both been too inconsistent for first team status. Where were these two players during Georgia Tech's only ACC win in Atlanta or in another loss against Virginia Tech at home or when losing against NC State in Raleigh? In contrast, UNC's three conference losses have involved close margins against teams that will play in the NCAA tournament. Hansbrough remains the most respected player in the league for many reasons. Just look at the numbers.
Legendary Coach Jim Valvano implored all of us to laugh heartily each day. Thanks for your article. It is a true side splitter!
Thanks ever so much, very
Fri, 11/06/2009 - 01:29 — mkoswellThanks ever so much, very useful article. Kenali dan Kunjungi Objek Wisata di Pandeglang