There is no gray area for a highly touted scholarship player attending a school with an iconic basketball program. You are supposed to run through the non-conference portion of your schedule and blast right through your conference, and then crank it up a notch for the NCAA tournament. The high expectations, albeit unreasonable, are there front and center, and are constantly defined by both the fans and the student body.
So when I set out to talk to someone who could relate to the ridiculous pressure that Indiana University is under from its overzealous fan base, I did not have to look far to find an authority on the subject than in the Indiana Pacers locker room.
“The pressure of being a No.1 seed is something you think about for awhile, but after two games it really doesn’t matter,” said Pacer forward Tyler Hansbrough as he was icing down after a splendid performance against the Orlando Magic. “At North Carolina, we were determined to get back to the championship game after losing in the National Semifinals the year before and win the title.”
Hansbrough and his teammates did just that in 2009 as they rode roughshod over their opponents and won their NCAA tournament games, handily winning each game by at least a 12-point margin. While certain players might balk at having to play in huge football stadiums that are converted for basketball, Hansbrough thrived on that as well.
“Generally, the seats are so far enough away from the playing floor that you can block the crowd out and concentrate on what is occurring in the game,” he said.
Keeping your normal routine intact as much as possible is also important and despite all the pomp and pageantry that accompanies the Final Four, Hansbrough was able to do that in a manner leading up to the championship game that was both calming and productive.
“Having been there previously gave us an idea of what to expect and how to deal with it, but you still have to maintain your schedule and avoid distractions,” added the ACC’s all time leading scorer.
While he won every conceivable individual award in his illustrious college career, Hansbrough still looks at the NCAA title as the crowning moment in his career at North Carolina and closely follows his beloved Tar Heels. “It should be a great tournament and I am looking forward to it.”
Notes: Hansbrough finished his college career that night in the NCAA Championship game with a superb performance in which he scored 18 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. He was named to the all tourney team as well.
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Playing away from Indianapolis might not be the detriment to Indiana University that many think it will be. They will not have as many distractions on the road, especially in the second round. While it may limit how many of the Hoosier faithful that get to travel, it could offer some tranquility and privacy they would not have enjoyed here locally. Heaven forbid they be somewhat secluded and rest between games, allowing them to be more prepared.
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You can see Tyler Hansbrough and his Pacer teammates as they close out the NBA season with the few remaining home games that are left on the schedule. Indiana faces Oklahoma City, Cleveland, Brooklyn, and Philadelphia at home in the month of April as they prepare for a playoff run in which they should be the overall second seed in the Eastern Conference behind the Miami Heat. Tickets can be obtained by calling the Bankers Life Fieldhouse box office at (317) 917-2727 or by logging on to Tickermaster.com.
Danny Bridges, who thinks Tyler Hansbrough’s toughness is just what the Pacers need, can be reached at (317) 578-1780 or at Bridgeshd@aol.com.
