Psycho (F)T
If you like obscure stats, check this one out.
The perpetually hacked and frequently successful Tyler Hansbrough is on pace to make around 270 free throws this season. Context: UNC's opponents made 263 in the Tar Heels' championship season of 1981-82.
At 542 for his career, Hansbrough is on pace to surpass Christian Laettner's total of 713 -- perhaps by the end of this season. The former Duke Blue Devil made more free throws than anybody who played his entire career in the ACC, which is not to say it's an official league record.
The confusions stems from the fact that one of the most prolific scorers in NCAA history, Wake Forest's Dickie Hemric, played in the league's first season after having logged two years in the Southern Conference. When calculating statistics, the league grandfathered in Hemric's career totals in points and rebounds but did not take other stats into account.
It will now do the same for free throws made and attempted, spokesman Brian Morrison said this morning.
Hemric, who also holds the NCAA record, stands at 905. Hansbrough is 20th with 542 but could move all the way past Laettner if he retains his current pace, he stays healthy and the Tar Heels play five postseason games. (That looks like a pretty solid bet.)
ACC SINGLE-SEASON FT MADE LEADERS
Total Player School Season
285 Lenny Rosenbluth UNC 1956-57
282 Buzzy Wilkinson Virginia 1954-55
278 Len Chappell Wake 1961-62
242 Tyler Hansbrough UNC 2006-07
234 Grady Wallace SCar 1956-57
230 Dickie Hemric Wake 1953-54
225 Christian Laettner Duke 1989-90
222 Bob Lewis UNC 1965-66
220 Jim Spanarkel Duke 1977-78
217 Art Heyman Duke 1962-63
The league's career FT leaders can be found here.
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