Tyler Hansbrough went from victory to fail within seconds this afternoon, as he avoided being called for a critical foul in a last-second win over Virginia Tech, but then got lost leaving the court.
Hansbrough made a controversial defensive stop in the final seconds as top-ranked North Carolina beat the Hokies 79-76 in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament. But even before Tech coach Seth Greenberg could begin complaining about preferential treatment by the officials (although he did throw his coat), Hansbrough was running off the court. Confusion ensued.
After A.D. Vassallo missed a 3-pointer that would have forced overtime, Hansbrough sprinted toward the tunnel near the North Carolina bench. He ran into a group of cheerleaders, who steered him toward the proper Georgia Dome exit. "Yeah, everybody's laughing about that," Hansbrough said. "I knew it was the wrong tunnel, but I came back out, I saw some friends in the front row laughing about it. Everybody (on the team) was pointing and laughing. I said, 'OK, whatever.'"
Greenberg was less jovial when perusing the stats. Virginia Tech was called for 20 fouls, North Carolina 14. The Hokies never reached the bonus during the second half.
"I guess we foul and they don't," Greenberg said sarcastically.
NCAA Tournament not yours, VT.
Your ACC Tournament lineup: Wake Forest is playing Maryland now, teddy-bear lovable Duke takes on Boston College after that. UNC vs. Florida State tomorrow in the first semifinal. Duke-Maryland in the other semi? Get out your Scheyer big heads!
UNC Survives BC, But Not Without Controversy [NBCSports]