Jerry Tipton on UK basketball

North Carolina touts Tyler Hansbrough as a national player of the year candidate. He reached 1,000 points faster than any Tar Heel who played in the freshman-eligible era. Last season he joined Duke’s J.J. Redick and Wake Forest’s Tim Duncan as the only repeat unanimous selections to the All-Atlantic Coast Conference first team since 1989.
To which Kentucky fans might say: What’s all the fuss?
Hansbrough (pronounced HANDS-bro, not HANS-burr-oh) has made only three of 15 shots in two games against Kentucky. His seven- and six-point performances against the Cats represent two of only six games in which he’s failed to reach double figures.
When asked on a teleconference yesterday if this history produces extra incentive to do well at Kentucky today, Hansbrough said, “I may not have played my best games, but we still won those games. That was important to me.
“If I play bad and we still win, I’ll still be happy with that.  I think it’s important for me to play well to get my confidence up. But I’ll take a win any day.”
North Carolina Coach Roy Williams credited UK’s defense, which collapsed around Hansbrough and gave him little room to operate around the basket.
“Tubby (Smith, UK’s former coach) is a very good defensive coach just like Billy (Gillispie) is,” Williams said. “That was one of Tubby’s strengths, and I think that’s one of Billy’s strengths. Their defense was aimed at trying to make sure he didn’t get 35 or 40 (points).”
Williams also noted Randolph Morris’s inspired play last year. Clearly aroused, Morris dominated Hansbrough last season. Morris scored 23 points, grabbed seven rebounds and blocked three shots. Hansbrough made two of 10 shots and finished with seven points and three rebounds.
“I’m a big target,” Hansbrough said. “I think I’ve drawn a lot of attention this year. It just drives my work ethic. It makes me work harder. It helps me prepare for teams better, too.”
North Carolina has gotten better at absorbing that rare sub-par performance from Hansbrough. For example, the Tar Heels won at Ohio State Wednesday night despite their center making only six of 19 shots.
“Maybe last year, for sure the year before, if he does 6-for-19, we don’t win,” Williams said. “He does have more help. But he’s still a huge emphasis for the other team.”
UK players have noticed Hansbrough’s work ethic. Forward Perry Stevenson, who is coming off his first double-double, noted how hard Hansbrough plays.
“I thought he was going to be goine after last year,” Stevenson said. “Unfortunately, we have to deal with him.”
When asked what made Hansbrough so productive, Stevenson said, “Probably not quiting. I’ve never seen him quit on a play. Last year he got his nose busted and he didn’t quit. That’s what makes him so good.”
Because of an especially vigorous weight-lifting session, the North Carolina strength coach dubbed Hansbrough Psycho T. Williams likened Hansbrough to Michael Jordan when he said, “I’ve never had anybody work harder.”
UK’s freshman big man, Patrick Patterson, has made no secret of his eagerness to compete with Hansbrough.
“Because he’s probably the best big man out there,” Patterson said after UK beat Stony Brook on Tuesday night. “I just look forward to the challenge. . . . Being a freshman, hopefully it’ll be like a confidence boost, especially if we play well. I’m really anxious to play.”
When asked how he expected to fare against Hansbrough, Patterson smiled slightly and said, “We’ll have to see.”
Patterson has caught the eye of North Carolina.
“He is a physical man,” Williams said of the UK freshman. “He is a presence.”
After noting Patterson’s athleticism, power and explosiveness, the North Carolina coach said, “He’s the one we have to make sure we focus on a great deal. They do a great job of getting him the ball.”
A twist of recruiting fate might have had Hansbrough playing for Kentucky and Patterson for North Carolina today. The Tar Heels made only limited progress in pursuit of Patterson. Kentucky had Hansbrough’s full interest.
“There’s a lot of tradition there,” Hansbrough said. “Plus Kentucky is a powerhouse. I was always interested in programs like that. I liked the coaching staff. Coach Smith and all of that was great.
“I thought this place was better.”