Why College Basketball's Best Player is Tyler Hansbrough

The North Carolina Tarheels Basketball Team was picked number one in the coaches poll today. They beat out several great teams including the UCLA Bruins and the Memphis Tigers. Many people have them picked to win the National Championship this year. All of this is true because of #50 Tyler Hansbrough. Now entering his junior year of college Hansbrough has been one of the best players in the country his entire career. This year he will without a doubt be the best player in college basketball.

Hansbrough's career at Carolina started during with an amazing freshman year. The Heels were coming off winning the National Championship. They had lost some great players including Sean May, Raymond Felton and Rashad McCants. The Heels also lost freshman Marvin Williams. Williams was a huge part in the Heels success put decided to leave for the NBA after only one season. Tyler Hansbrough was stepping into the Tarheel legacy with big shoes to fill. Could this kid from Missouri lead one of the greatest basketball teams of all time? Yes he could, and he did! Hansbrough stepped in an played magnificently during his freshman year. He broke almost every record set by a freshman at the school including the single game scoring record. After only a year he was already getting votes for 1st-team All-ACC.

What makes Hansbrough such a great player is that his motor is always running. He is one of those players who plays hard every minute of every game. You only have to watch him once to understand just how much he wants to win. Announcers have often commented on the determined look in his eyes. In terms of pure skill or talent he may not even be one of the top players in the country. However his drive and determination not only makes up for this, but leads him to surpass everyone else.

Hansbrough's tenacity and drive was never more evident than last year during a crucial ACC game against the Duke Blue Devils. It was near the end of the regular season and the Heels were trying to rap up the regular season title. Late in the game, with the Heels in control, Hansbrough was elbowed hard by a Duke player as he was making a play. Hansbrough had blood gushing everywhere. His nose was broken. How did this affect the All American. He simply but a protective mask on his face and was on the court the next week. That's how much he want to play for his team.

The North Carolina Tarheels fell short last year of the Final Four after blowing their lead to Georgetown. Hansbrough should be even more motivated this year as he will want to leave at least a Final Four Appearance in his Tar-Heel legacy. It has to be the only reason he choose to come back to college considering he would have been a lottery pick easily in the Draft. Tyler Hansbrough quite simply is, the best player in college basketball.