College Basketball | Hansbrough, Hibbert lead All-Americans
Tyler Hansbrough’s junior season at North Carolina has begun much the same way his sophomore season did, as the leading vote-getter on The Associated Press’ preseason All-America team.
The 6-foot-9 forward was one vote shy of a unanimous pick Monday and was joined by senior center Roy Hibbert of Georgetown, senior guard Chris Lofton of Tennessee, senior guard Drew Neitzel of Michigan State and junior guard Darren Collison of UCLA.
The team was selected by the 72-member panel that votes in the weekly Top 25 poll.
Hansbrough’s sophomore season ended with a crushing loss, one win shy of the Final Four. When he said he would return to North Carolina after being selected a second-team All-American as a sophomore, he said he wanted to “improve my game individually.” He added, “There’s also some team things that I want to accomplish.”
That would mean getting the Tar Heels deeper in the NCAA tournament. North Carolina lost the regional final to Georgetown, blowing an 11-point lead in the second half and missing 22 of 23 shots during one stretch that extended into overtime.
The loss denied the Tar Heels a chance at a second national championship in four years.
Hansbrough wants to see what can be done this season.
“He’s a unique young man who loves playing college basketball and loves being a kid and being in college and enjoys his teammates and that is extremely refreshing,” North Carolina coach Roy Williams said.
“He realizes the NBA is always going to be there.”
The 7-foot-2 Hibbert received 62 votes, one more than Lofton. Neitzel was on 37 ballots and Collison was on 31. The next-highest vote-getter was Brandon Rush of Kansas with 23. Others receiving votes included Jon Brockman of Washington and Kyle Weaver of Washington State.
Top 25 men
At No. 3 Memphis 102, Tenn.-Martin 71
Derrick Rose didn’t take long to adjust to the college game. The highly touted freshman had 17 points on 8-for-16 shooting, six rebounds and five assists in his collegiate debut and the Tigers beat the Skyhawks in the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic.
“When we were dying, he scored,” Memphis coach John Calipari said of Rose, who had four dunks. “We were dying, he blocks a shot. We were dying, he goes in there and makes a play.”
How does the freshman rate his first game?
“I’ll give it a ‘C,’ ” Rose replied. “I can do a lot better.”
Chris Douglas-Roberts of Memphis had 28 points and eight rebounds. Tigers forward Joey Dorsey has a sprained right shoulder and did not play.
Lester Hudson scored 35 points for Tennessee-Martin.
Notes
• Junior guard Richie Williams of San Diego State has been suspended indefinitely from game competition for conduct detrimental to the team, coach Steve Fisher said. Fisher said Williams will continue to practice with the team.
• Arizona State women’s coach Charli Turner Thorne reportedly was resting comfortably in a hospital, a day after having her appendix removed. She has a 203-134 record in 11 seasons.