Matt Whitfield, Notre Dame News

THE ‘OTHER’ HANSBROUGH HOPING FOR A MARCH RUN

By Matt Whitfield

Ben Hansbrough doesn’t feel he plays in his brother’s shadow. Yet, being the younger brother of North Carolina’s all-time leading scorer and rebounder it is very difficult to have your own identity.

One year after watching his brother Tyler Hansbrough lead the North Carolina to their fifth NCAA Tournament championship, younger brother Ben is hoping to leave his mark during the 2010 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament as a key piece of Mike Brey’s Notre Dame team, a No. 6 seed in the South Region.

The Irish take on upset-minded Old Dominion, Thursday, at 12:35 pm, and while the cover boy of last year’s college basketball season won’t be playing, fans and followers watching will be wondering what the youngest Hansbrough will do when he hits the floor at New Orleans Arena.

“Growing up, he was,” stated Ben Hansbrough on who was the better player growing up. “He was probably the best basketball player growing up, probably still is. I mean heck he’s in the NBA, he’s one of the best college players the past 10 years.”

Ben and Tyler played basketball together for three years at Poplar Bluff High School in Missouri where they won two straight Class 5A state championships. As they still are today, Ben was the shooting guard then and Tyler with his size and athleticism was a center. Tyler of course went on to an All-American career at North Carolina and Ben went on to Mississippi State after high school.

Ben Hansbrough played two seasons at Mississippi State averaging 10.5 points a game as the starting two-guard in the 2006-2007 season. The Bulldogs made it into the NCAA Tournament, bowing out to eventual national runner-up Memphis in the second round. Hansbrough scored 19 points in his final game with Mississippi State before deciding to transfer after the season.

“I really liked the guys and great education, and Coach Brey,” stated Ben Hansbrough of his transfer to Notre Dame. “Coach Brey really attracted me to the university.”

As a first year active member of the squad Ben Hansbrough has made his presence felt. The younger Hansbourgh is the third leading scorer for the Irish at 11.8 points a game, second in assists (4.4) and steals (1.1) per game and leads the team in three-point percentage (41.6%) for any player getting significant time.

As it is March, Ben is taking games only on a game by game basis, but feels there definitely is a difference playing in the the Big East.

“Every team from top to bottom is really good, and I also think we have the elite teams in the country,” stated Hansbrough.

Ben Hansbrough, who unlike his brother is not a lock to be a NBA player does feel there are some similarities to each others game.

“We both wanna be really good,” stated Hansbrough. “He worked out everyday since he was probably in junior high, he worked on his game. I saw how he did that and how successful he is and I just try and learn from that.”

The Irish have been one of the hottest teams in the country and their late-season run was needed just to earn an at-large bid in the ‘Big Dance’ this year. A long March run with another Hansbrough as a driving force would make for an enlightening story. He can cherish his time with the Irish while looking back upon his time with his brother and the success they shared.

“I cherish the time [Tyler and I] had together,” Ben said of playing with his brother in high school and growing up together. “We won two state championships together. He’s taught me a lot about work ethic. We both taught each other things. He’s a great player. Were both different players though.”

Beginning Thursday afternoon Ben Hansbrough will look to make his mark on the NCAA Tournament and do it in a much different fashion than his older brother. Notre Dame fans hope his past experience and strong family genes help lead the Irish on a deep run this March.

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