Colleges

Hansbrough has broken nose, will try mask

North Carolina star center Tyler Hansbrough was injured more severely than originally thought when Duke's Gerald Henderson hit him on the nose in the waning seconds of Sunday's game.

By BRIAN LANDMAN
Published March 6, 2007

TAMPA - North Carolina star center Tyler Hansbrough was injured more severely than originally thought when Duke's Gerald Henderson hit him on the nose in the waning seconds of Sunday's game.

X-rays Monday showed a non-displaced nasal fracture, coach Roy Williams said. Hansbrough didn't need to have his nose reset, but will be fitted with a mask to wear in practice this week.

"Whether we ask him to wear it in the game Friday against the FSU-Clemson winner or not, we don't know yet," he said, adding that Hansbrough also took a shot to the mouth earlier in the game and will need dental work later.

Williams said he told reporters that it wasn't a break based on a bad source, Hansbrough himself. As for Henderson, who was ejected and in accordance with NCAA rules must sit out the next game (Thursday against North Carolina State), Williams stressed that he knows the freshman and his family and didn't think it was intentional.

"I don't believe Gerald Henderson ... sat over there on the bench and said, 'If I get a chance, I'm going to go in and clobber Tyler.' I don't believe that happened," Williams said.

TICKET UPDATE: A little more than 100 tickets for each of Thursday's two sessions were offered back to the Times Forum for local redistribution. Officials have a list of more than 1,000 interested bay area fans, and Florida State and Miami both play Thursday.

ALL-ACC HONORS: Hansbrough and senior forwards Al Thornton (FSU) and Jared Dudley (Boston College) were unanimous media picks for first-team all-ACC. Virginia junior guard Sean Singletary and Virginia Tech senior guard Zabian Dowdell round out the first team. Miami sophomore guard Jack McClinton was third team. Player, coach, rookie and defensive player awards will be announced today.

WEEKLY HONORS: Thornton, who scored a career-high 45 in a 98-90 overtime win at Miami, was named ACC player of the week. Georgia Tech's Javaris Crittenton and UNC forward Brandan Wright were unanimous picks for the league's all-freshman team.

Brian Landman can be reached at landman@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3347.

[Last modified March 6, 2007, 00:57:52]