Hansbrough Sends Tar Heels to the Final Four

Tyler Hansbrough helped fend off a Louisville rally by scoring 28 points and grabbing 13 boards in North Carolina's win over Louisville, 83-73.

The East Regional Final matchup was like watching two games in one.

In the first half, Louisville pressed the Tar Heels which led to a ton of easy baskets. UNC simply threw over the press and beat the defense back for layups. When they did have to play a halfcourt game, Carolina could shoot anything they wanted because they dominated the offensive glass. Danny Green and Wayne Ellington were awesome, scoring a combined 20 points.

UNC went into the break up 44-32.

The second half was much different. The Cards made a great adjustment of having David Padgett (who Roy Williams successfully recruited to Kansas) at the high post and running screens off him. He found cutters open for layups and/or created a foul on the Heels. It also kept Carolina's big men away from the basket and Louisville found some offensive boards.

On the other end of the floor, the Cardinals didn't press that much and instead tried to keep UNC in a half court game. The Tar Heels had to work for their shots and found no opportunity to run. Neither Green and Ellington scored until free throws in the closing seconds of the game.

The Cardinals quickly wiped away the deficit ... and tied the game 59-59. This put a bit of panic in Tar Heels fans, who remember UNC wasting a huge lead over Georgetown in last year's Elite Eight and getting beat.

That's where Hansbrough took over. Psycho T scored 28 points on an amazing 12-of-17 shooting streak. And I mean shooting! Hansbrough was hitting jump shots from just inside the arc ... including one as the shot clock wound down. L'ville dared him to take the shot and he did. With his teammates struggling to find open looks, Hansbrough scored 20 points in the second half and again pulled away from the Cardinals.

This is the 17th Final Four appearance for the Heels (second to UCLA, who will also be there) and 8th trip in the last 17 years. Given the possible story-lines in their Final Four matchup, I'd be willing to bet that UNC will play the late game next Saturday.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

3-29-2008 @ 11:54PM

SKULLY said...

West Virginia fans or fan says that the ACC is the weakest conference in NCAA basketball. I just want to know what everybody thinks about that? Tyler Hansbrough is a monster. Just two more.

3-30-2008 @ 12:23AM

Wizard said...

Was wvu even at the dance? Oh, they beat the dooks and who else? Where are they now? Oh yea home watching the champions.

3-30-2008 @ 12:33AM

Ryan said...

per Wikipedia, UCLA now has 17 Final Four appearances (tied w/UNC for 1st), but only 18 if you count their 1980 Championship loss to Louisville in which they used ineligible players.

3-30-2008 @ 9:22PM

agFinder said...

Fyi The Heels are tops in final four appearances. One of UCLA's (1980?) doesn't count.

3-30-2008 @ 12:34AM

Rokclimber said...

It aint over yet. Carolina looked shaky there for awhile. A few bounces here or there and it may have been a different outcome. Against WSU, they held them to 35% shooting, but WSU missed many open looks that they normaly make. Had just 3 or 4 of WSU's many missed open look 3's gone in, again, it may have been a different game. But hey, I AM A CAROLINA FAN so I am obviously happy. Just think they need to focus a bit more on D and make sure they play a full 40 minutes. Kansas, Texas, Memphis..will al be formidable....but I am HOPING for a UNC/DAVIDSON matchup if Davidson can upend kansas which looks as good as anybody.GO HEELS!!!

3-30-2008 @ 12:54AM

Terry Lee said...

Tyler showed he was not going to be denied a final four trip this year. He carried the team on his back.I knew Louisville would make a game of it.I agree that UNC needs to give it their all for 40 min. and guard the three point shooters a little tougher.

3-30-2008 @ 11:59AM

Stormwater Management said...

Was this the highlight of Hansbrough's basketball career? Maybe it will come Final Four weekend, b/c it certainly won't come in the NBA... except for maybe that glorious June evening when some GM is dumb enough to waste a top 10 pick on him.

3-30-2008 @ 11:19AM

tom tanner said...

Just glad Kansas has to face Davidson instead of UNC. Who wants to try to stop a train, ( about 25 straight wins ) not me; I had rather get out of the way-thank you. Davidson is as loose as a team could possibly be and they have absolutely nothing to lose. This could be the biggest story in basketball and if they win it all then my team (UNC) will have to bow out. But you know, I stll love those Wildcats, they're our North Carolina cousins you know; so give em hell either way North Carolina- land of basketball heaven. Hansbrough and Curry are the talk of the basketball college world anyway!

3-30-2008 @ 11:22AM

Rob, Esq. said...

Fouls were not called on the Hansbrough since the game was prejudicially at NC. Williams is a redneck idiot - the same as Dean Smith. Hansbrough committed 8 fouls that were not called.

4-04-2008 @ 11:13AM

The Original RON said...

Hey Storm I'm feelin you.Same to be said about Kevin Love who we're getting force fed right now about how great he is.Enjoy it now Tyler maybe one day i'll be sitting next to you in the stands enjoying a pro game.