Thanks to some fine folks over on the Inside Carolina message boards, I thoroughly enjoyed checking in after each game this year to see who Tyler had passed in the Carolina and ACC record books. By the end of the season, Tyler was in some rarified air. Tyler is #2 in Carolina history in points, #7 in rebounds, and #1 in free throws made and attempted. There is a legitimate chance that Tyler could become the #1 all-time scorer in ACC history next year. It will certainly be very exciting to watch.

As exciting as it will be to watch, I fervently hope that this is the best decision for Tyler. I certainly understand that he is enjoying being in college and is dominating the college game. I understand that he may be less suited to the NBA game and was not projected to be drafted much higher than 20th. I know that his family is in solid financial footing and does not need his NBA salary. On the other hand, unless Tyler reveals a completely different side to his game on a consistent basis (e.g. outside shooting, passing out of double-teams to open shooters, scoring and rebounding over bigger players, blocking shots), it’s hard to believe that the National Player of the Year from the #1 ranked team in the country could improve his draft stock very much with another year.

I guess we should just knock on wood and enjoy the ride.

As for Ty Lawson testing the waters, this makes some sense to me. I’m guessing Ty feels like people are judging him based on his post-injury play, and that after some additional rest and rehab he may be able to make a better showing at a pre-draft camp and improve his draft stock. Whether he can show them enough to make him one of the top 2-3 point guards in the draft, as opposed to #5 or 6, that remains to be seen. I do know that he will be getting solid advice from the Carolina side of things. I’m betting that his workouts only solidify the projections that he will be picked in the bottom third of the first round and that we see Ty again next season. Whatever he decides, I’m sure it’s based on what he perceives is best for him and his family, and BBE wishes him well whatever he decides.

… Wayne, Wayne, Wayne… what’s the thought process, guy? Sure… you went off a few times against Clemson, but you didn’t top 20 against any other quality opponents all year. Not exactly resounding praise for a “scorer”. You were 3-17 from 3-point range in our last three games.

Granted, we don’t know what family or other considerations you may have that would push you toward the league, but however bad you may need that paycheck, those second round contracts aren’t guaranteed. The last thing you need is to waive your college eligibility and then be gone from the NBA in two years. Keep working on the things that Coach Williams is telling you to work on and you’ll have a chance to step up some more next year. I know it’s not nice to hear, but it’s tough love, man.

[UPDATE:  Danny Green!  DUDE!  WTF ARE YOU THINKING?]

WOO HOO!! The Tar Heels are going to the Final Four!

It has been said that Ty Lawson is the engine of this team.  Well, folks, if that is true, then Tyler Hansbrough is the clutch.

After being knocked all year about not having an outside shot, Tyler hit at least 4 shots from 17 feet tonight, with the two biggest coming back-to-back with under 3 minutes to play.  Those two CLUTCH shots gave Carolina a nine point lead and the Heels cruised to the win on free throws.  Hansbrough’s 28 point, 13 rebound performance that sent the Heels to the Final Four should be sufficient to silence any critics about his Player of the Year status.

WOO HOO! GO HEELS! 

Photo by Robert Willett, N&O

That was beautiful. Watching Tyler Hansbrough pump/run/flail/dance/skip to midcourt after his game-winning fadeaway baseline jumper fell through with under a second to play yesterday was wonderful. It was joyous, cathartic, Psycho, awkward, and absolutely the purest outpouring of genuine exuberance you’ll see. There was no restraint for decorum’s sake. It was just a release of joy and emotion from the most intense player in college basketball. In fact, Tyler’s ugly/beautiful celebration was a lot like the game yesterday.

Compare the image of Tyler’s celebration with the fist-pumping/jumping/cool of Michael Jordan’s celebration after hitting the famous game winner against Utah. Michael was excited, to be sure, but still restrained enough to not lose his coolness. That contrast is somewhat like the comparison of 2005’s Tar Heels to this year’s version. 2005 had a supremely skilled and experienced bunch who, when they put forth 100% effort, were unstoppable. While this team has looked good this year, they’ve not had an unbeatable air about them. But they bring it. This team fights through injury, grinds out games, and wills itself to victories (and advances to the ACC final, something the ‘05 team failed to do).

This team can win ugly. It is tough. It is beautiful.

I don’t know if you are a political person. Chances are, though, that if you are a regular visitor to this blog, then recognize the singularly unique and exceptionally talented player that Tyler Hansbrough is. Now’s your chance to see that he gets the recognition he deserves. You can vote for the Naismith Player of the Year.

http://www.naismithawards.com

The appeal for Carolina fans is obvious. I would also encourage fans of all other ACC schools to vote for Tyler Hansbrough, as well. The ACC has been derided as a weak league this year, and yet again it has the highest conference RPI. Yet some player from an 8-6 Big 12 team is in consideration for the award. Tyrese Rice and Sean Singletary are both outstanding players for otherwise weak teams, but who knows where they would be if they played in the Big 12? Show your ACC pride and support Psycho T.

…Besides, if he wins POY, he might go ahead and declare for the draft, and that’s what you ABCers really want, anyway…

First off, this site bleeds Carolina blue. That means we also bear an inherent loathing for all things Dook or State related.

That said, BBE is vehemently in favor of intellectual honesty and free speech. We hate hypocrites. This kerfuffle over a classless move by a State baseball player during the UNC-State basketball game has brought these issues to the fore.

Resident Carolina homer Eddy Landreth published a viewpoint piece in today’s Chapel Hill News in which he states:

The N.C. State baseball player who walked on the court with a poster of Tyler Hansbrough bleeding after Gerald Henderson of Duke broke his nose should be suspended for a game.

So should Wolfpack baseball coach Elliott Avent for allowing it.

This is over a poster that supposedly showed “Bloody Tyler” and said something to the effect of: Tyler wears red, too. Or something. I am lead to understand by posts elsewhere that this classless poster was given to the baseball player as he was about to take the floor.

Keep in mind: Gerald Henderson, of Duke, caused that injury, and was punished for it. Tyler and Roy have both put the injury and the incident that caused it behind them. The poster was a classless move that we have come to expect from State fans, the majority of whom hate Carolina more than they like their own team.

The point is, free speech is the hallmark of a free society. It allows for the display and dissection of ideas. All ideas, even bad ones. One of the benefits of free speech is it allows me and Mr. Landreth to excoriate the idiots that came up with that poster as classless, tactless, crotchless, in-bred hicks with the intellectual capacity of the average American Idol contestant. On the flip side, State fans get to have their opinions of us when some idiot Smith Center attendee starts shouting about “the ghetto.”

In the crucible of free speech, the cream rises to the top and Ms. South Carolina gets posted on YouTube.

So lets quit calling for suspensions and sanctions and just point out idiocy where we see it.