Hansbrough wants final word in his criticized career

Edge: North Carolina-Michigan State | Predictions

DETROIT -- Tyler Hansbrough is overrated.

Source: Tyler Hansbrough.

Actually, that's Psycho T channeling his detractors who made up their minds long ago. Hansbrough's haters are more numerous and vocal than ever with one game left in his (seemingly endless) career. That game just happens to be the biggest of his career against Michigan State for the national championship. Maybe that's why the lightning rod that is North Carolina's senior post vented Sunday at Ford Field.

Why not? The way he sees it, win, lose or draw blood, Hansbrough is going to keep that lightning rod status in perpetuity.

"I've heard more criticism this year than I've ever heard," Hansbrough said. "It is what it is. People sometimes don't like certain players. It doesn't bother me because I'm going to play my game and do my part. I think I'm a good college player."

A lot of detractors won't even go that far. He travels, whines, fouls and bleeds way too much. They say. Hansbrough hears it and it obviously bothers him. He himself used the o-word five times during a half-hour interview session.

"A lot of people are going to think I'm overrated even if I win a national championship," he admitted.

That's the issue, isn't it? For those who would judge, and there are a lot of you, Monday's game is an either/or -- the difference between Hansbrough being one of the all-time greats and becoming a statistical anomaly. Win and he's the former, lose and he is a try-hard kid who became the ACC's all-time leading scorer.

When roommate/teammate Danny Green was asked if even a championship can save Hansbrough's rep he said, "I doubt it. That's because a lot of fans don't like him because of who he is, where he's at and what he's accomplished. People don't think he's as good as he really is. Numbers don't lie."

But are numbers alone good enough when you're playing for the Yankees of the sport? Lose and Hansbrough would join a long list of ACC greats already in the Sergio Garcia Club -- greatest players never to win a major. Of the ACC's top 10 scorers only two won national championships -- Duke's Christian Laettner and North Carolina State's David Thompson.

Virginia's Ralph Sampson never won a title, neither did Wake Forest's Tim Duncan. Does that make them any less great?

They have pro careers to bolster their legacy. For now, Carolina stands on the brink of squandering one of the greatest compilations of talent to never win a title. There are an estimated five future pros on the roster.

In terms of his legacy, it seems that Hansbrough has love from only Dick Vitale and Chapel Hill. The fans' devotion translates to a holy triumvirate. It's now Michael Jordan, Phil Ford and Hansbrough whom they consider the all-time greats in Carolina history. NBA scouts, though, say he is actually 6-feet-8, not 6-9. Trying hard is great, but try to name the number of significant 6-8 NBA power forwards.

Numbers don't lie in this case either.

Despite his success, Tyler Hansbrough has dealt with some naysayers. (Getty Images)

"A lot of people doubt me as a pro," he admitted.

That shouldn't matter Monday night. Hansbrough has all those crazy numbers, mostly because he stayed all four years when you could have jumped to the NBA at any point in his career. He is the Peyton Manning of his day. If we're going to rip kids for abusing the one-and-done system, we'll have to put up with Hansbrough getting his degree and in the nation's face.

"I want to play Tyler Hansbrough," Michigan State's Goran Suton said, "because he is one of the best big men in the country."

Suton, who was injured in the teams' first meeting Dec. 3, will get his wish. In that game, Hansbrough was allowed to roam free, scoring 25 points and getting 11 rebounds.

Still, a large part of the college basketball world has its issues with Hansbrough. The bugged out eyes. The little-bit-too stern determination. The fawning network analysts. Let's be honest. They're not just issues. Sometimes it's hate.

How many superstars have had to change their cellphone number five times because of harassment and then say, "It's part of the game."?

"First of all you have to establish yourself," Hansbrough said. "They're not taunting you because you're bad. Some people out there need to get some better things to do than call a college kid at 2 or 3 in the morning."

Maybe it has something to do with Tobacco Road fervor. J.J. Redick had to change his cellphone several times as well. That's the Duke great whom Hansbrough passed to become the league's all-time scorer.

Both have lots of numbers (both cell and basketball) and no title.

Maybe it's terrible people doing terrible things to a decent kid. Hansbrough has refused to change his cell number more often so his friends and family can have an easier time staying in touch.

"Seems like I'm being pranked every day now," he said.

"Everybody's had their moments in their backyard," Hansbrough added. "Mine was probably when I was in fifth grade. I used to lower my goal to about eight feet and pretend I was on a big-time team playing for a national championship. I still think the best games of my life have been in my backyard."

That's sad if that's still the case after becoming a national player of the year, a four-time All-American and helping in 50 regular-season wins and three ACC titles.

"I'm not necessarily going to say my career was a failure if I didn't win a national championship" a not-so-Psycho T said Sunday afternoon as his emotions wound down.

He knows there are plenty who will be more than happy to offer a different opinion.