The Sports Corner

UNC’s Hansbrough out ‘indefinitely’

Tyler Hansbrough, the unanimous preseason all-American, who plays for the first ever unanimous preseason number one Tar Heels, is listed as being out “indefinitely” with a stress fracture in his shin.

Now, the indefinitely comes from his team.

Gene Hansbrough, father of Psycho T, told reporters that his son won’t miss a single game. Other reports say that he’ll be sidelined for at least two weeks. Don’t know who to believe? Normally, you’d go with the father, who’s obviously closest to his son.

Problem is, he’s trying to get his son drafted higher next season by not worrying scouts.

If he does miss the aforementioned two weeks, the only significant game in which UNC will need Hansbrough is their second of the season, a home game against the University of Kentucky Wildcats. You can be sure that, barring any setbacks, he’ll be back for his December third game at Michigan State.

But let’s not put too much of an emphasis on Hansbrough’s effect on his team if he does miss a few games. UNC is still fielding the most talented team in the country with the likes of Wayne Ellington, Danny Green, Ty Lawson and Marcus Ginyard returning for one more shot at a National Championship.

Along with those players, who were all potential second round picks if they would have entered last year’s NBA draft, Roy Williams went out and recruited five ESPNU 100 players who were all graded 92 and above. This includes David and Travis Wear, two 6′9 220 pound forwards from Mater Dei (California) and John Henson, the number three ranked player in the country, a 6′10″ forward. So if Williams needs to fill his marquee player’s sport for a few games, he’s got some solid youth to work with.

Henson is a long, lanky player sure to make a push for big sixth man minutes and is comparable to Kevin Durant.

All of this adds up to a National Championship team.

That being said, there hasn’t been a single game being played. But what comes to mind is the Florida team who won back-to-back titles two years ago. There’s no question that the ‘Heels weren’t a title contender last year, but being knocked out by Kentucky is sure to give this star studded Tar Heel roster the motivation it needs to get over the hump and win one for Psycho T.