Henderson's Elbow -- Cheap Shot or Not?
Cheap shot or accident? Comments:I think it was both cheap and part of the game. Hard fouls are a lost art in today's basketball, and it was not long ago when you would have realized that if you are up 12 points with 14 seconds left, that if you get the rebound and try to score instead of pulling the ball out and running the clock out, then you are going to get hit and hit hard. I truly believe that Henderson was trying to foul Hansbrough hard and let him know that Duke wasn't happy. That being said, there is no place for elbows to the face. Hansbrough should not have been in the game, and he should have been smart enough to pull the ball out and run the clock out. One could also argue that he shouldn't even have been on the line to get the rebound. Just a poorly handled situation by all involved, and i'm sure that both coaches and players feel bad about it.
To me it looked like an accident. It appeared he swatted for the ball and missed. It looked like a hard foul at best, I dont think Henderson should be suspended for it. People are going to take hard shots in sports, but wounds heal. Stop crying and play ball.
Clearly Intentional! Henderson was trying to punish Tyler's attempt recklessly. The swing was so forceful you can't question his motive to inflect harm. No doubt he (and the rest of K's team) were frustrated, but that is WAY over the line.
Definitely a cheap shot. Henderson was leading with his elbow and didn't look even remotely like he was going after the ball. Make's you wonder if Coach K pulled a Chaney and told Henderson to go in there and goon it up.
Typical cheap shot from a cry baby Duke team. Henderson, McRoberts and Paulus should cry themselves a river to sail down as they get booted out of the tournament.
he was going for the hard foul, and got it. it was a good foul. too bad hansborough just had to have that extra rebound and bucket. he looked pretty cool. got what he deserved anyway.
At best, Henderson was trying to send a message via a hard foul. At worst (and since he's a dookie, this is the more likely scenario) he was frustrated by the loss and was trying to injure Hansbrough. Henderson showed no remorse and never made any attempt to help Hansbrough up or check on his condition, etc. This leads me to believe that it was an intentional cheap shot and should be treated as such.
It was part of the game. There was 14 seconds left and the game was clearly in hand. Hansbrough was playing like the national championship was on the line. There is nothing wrong with that, but at the same time, you cannot fault the Duke players for their hard play and not wanting to give up an easy basket.
I don't think Henderson intended to bust Hansbrough's nose like that. But he did foul him on purpose. I think Henderson went in for a hard foul, swung his arm, and ended up swinging harder than he realized.
I don't care what people say about it being a total accident. The ball was nowhere in sight. You don't fracture someone's nose by innocently swatting at a loose ball. The intention of the play was indeed to block the shot of hansbrough. Earlier in the game Lance Thomas went up for a lay-up, Terry drew back as far as he could and swated the ball as hard as possible, had lance pump faked a gain he would have been struck in the face very very hardly. Often times when playing basketball, one finds themselves doing things as emphatically as possible. You dunk as hard as you can, you slap the back board on a lay up as hard as you can, and you block shots as hard as you can. Henderson got caught in the air, made a horrible decision by attempting to use so much force, but the fould WAS nOT intentional. Very unfortunate was the outcome. I am a die-hard DUKE fan and really sincerely regret the occurance of the play, but one must recognize that both programs play with enough integrity and respect to not intentionally injure a player. Think about this, had Hansbrough not bled at all and not hit the ground, what would the outcome have been? Maybe nothing, maybe the same thing. Bottom line, unintintional!!!
Ask Wayne Ellington, they played together. But it did look kinda intentional...
It looked to hard to be a straight up foul it was on purpose throw him out for the rest of the year Tyler Hansbrough should of decked henderson
Watching the replay, it looked like Henderson jumped up well after the ball had been knocked loose. And since when do you use your elbow to knock the ball out of someone's hands? It was intentional. Duke players obviously cannot handle getting swept by UNC. Hope the Dookies lose in the first round of the ACC tourney!
Wow, the number of Duke apologists amazes me. It was obvious that this was a cheap, dirty shot. But who cares, it was Duke against North Carolina. I pray for the day that we don't have to be subject to these two teams in the tournament. I wonder if Dukey Vitale will try to say Henderson was only kidding and didn't know it was being televised - "he was just kidding baby". Tobacco road basketball is old and I'm tired of it.
I dont understand how you can think that this foul was not intentional. With the athleticism of Gerald Henderson he should have been able to control his body in the air with ease. I also dont understand how all these dook fans can say that Carolina needs to stop crying when Coach K is the one on the sideline for the first 15 minutes of the game complaining to the refs about every possible thing.
Yeah, Henderson intentionally tried to take Tyler's head off. Just like Tyler intentionally grabbed the rebound and tried shove it in the Devil's face one last time, just like Roy Williams intentionally had Hansborough in the game with 20 seconds left and up by double digits. These two teams really do not like each other. These two coaches really do not like each other. To imply that Hansborough’s injury was the result of incidental contact is kind of silly.
For anyone who has ever played basketball, it is clear that Henderson wasn't just trying to block the shot. He came down with such force with his elbow that it cannot really be said that he wasn't trying to intentionally foul Hansborogh. What Henderson did was not the proper way to attempt to block a shot; he was more than reckeless and should be suspended for more than one game. As an Arizona Wildcat fan and alum, I haven't enjoyed watching Duke many successes over the years, but have respected Duke's program. Coach K's comments with respect to this situation were in extremely poor taste, and I lost most of my respect that I had for him and his program. An opposing player was seriouly hurt, and his comments indicated that it would not have happened had UNC's starters been in the game. It is irrelevant that UNC's starters were still in the game. That does nothing to cure Henderson's malicious act. All fans and Duke alum should be disappointed about this incident and the subsequent comments.
Cheap Shot all the way!!! Considering the magnitude of the blow inflicted by Henderson, it was a UFC elbow to the face. Henderson is one of the Moleman's enforcers. Plain and simple, Henderson comes in to muscle his opponents. Watch the tape again, it is a blatant flagrant foul. A one game suspension is a slap on the wrist. Henderson should be suspended for the remainder of the year. The only reason this is being downplayed is because he's from DUKE! There is no place for this type of "play" in the NCAA's. Watch the tape again! Hansborough is lucky that it wasn't worse. Have the Moleman keep his goons on the bench.
I think Henderson was trying to give a hard foul. Unfortunately, he got Hansbrough's face, and not his shoulder/arms. The one game penalty is fine.
Definitely intentional, but probably worse than originally meant to be. If not intentional then why is Coach K making such ridiculous excuses today?
Ok,when the New York Knicks had the same thing happen to them against the Denver Nuggets, some of the same people saying it was ok for Duke to hard foul, for the same reason, are some of the same people who called those players thugs. What is the difference here?
It was intentional. While yes a Carolina/Duke game will be very heated, full of emotion and hatred, there is no place for intentional cheap shots.
Henderson, went in with the elbow, not with his hand. His leap was towards Hansbrough not up and down. The actual contact was made after the ball had been out of Tyler's hands for a second or two. For those claiming Tyler should not be in. Roy had Copeland (i beleive) at the scorers table ready to go in at that time. It is also UNC/DUKE. It is a ginat rivalry. While Coach K questioned why Tyler was in. I question why Henderson was in if that reasoning is valid. The only reason McRoberts wasn't in was because he fouled out. People come to see a great game with great players. It is the greatest rivalry in sports and you play until the last second. One would hope that Mr. Henderson, one, being the son of a former NBA player, and two, playing for a upper echelon program, would not be foolish enough to do something that might hinder Dukes chances of playing well with all ther weapons once the NCAA tournement gets under way. It was definitely a hard foul, but I would hope that he would not try to intentionally hurt another ball player just because your losing a game, especially with many more games to play.
No question should even be raised weather this was a cheap shot or not. Henderson's frustration of loosing the game and a sub par year for the Dukies facilitated his actions. And anybody that has ever competed in basketball knows how to inflict a hard foul and make it appear as an accident. Was it is intention to blow up his nose? Probably not, but there was definitely intent to harm. Only Henderson is to blame. Coach K is and always has been a stand up coach but yet I wouldn't expect him to hang his player out to dry either. Coach Williams, knows the truth too, but isn't gonna call out the actions of another team due to his class as well. Henderson got what is coming to him, so we will have to see the repercussions the next time they play. Although I would expect it to be squashed by the coaches.
Henderson was just going for the block and happened to catch Hansbrough's nose. The paint is a tough place bloody noses happen its a part of basketball. Basketball needs to go back to the days when players actually played with intensity and all the players arent babied by the refs
Not really debatable in my mind... he meant to go for the hard foul - he probably meant to hit Hansbrough - maybe not on the nose. Dukes has been dirty for years...too bad the media does such a good job covering it and showing off other teams when they do the same.
Don't think it was really INTENTIONAL, but it was a hard foul nonetheless...there was no need, when you are down that many points in the final seconds, to do what Henderson did...it was simply frustration exhibited in a bad manner, and the officials made the right call.
I can't say if it was intentional or not. I'm not a psychic and I in no way resemble Henderson. What I can say is that it appeared intentional. The reason I say this is because when Henderson went up for the "block", he had is eyes closed. Watch the SportsCenter clips. His eyes are shut. Anyone going up to block a basket would have their eyes open and watching the ball. Just my two cents.
All you have to do is listen to what Henderson said after the game. When asked about it after the game he said "It was a foul but I didn't mean to hurt him. It was worse than what I intended." Worse than I intended, hmm wonder what he meant by intended?
Hansbrough is a wimp, he bleed like a stuck hog, lol. What a wuss!
If it was intentional then it was very similar to the way Crapolina conducts themselves. After all, unc is the punk thug school of the south. Duke owns unc but this year we took a breather. Next year will be FAR different. Tyler is a softie, a wimpy player, he can't take a hit to the face that's for sure.
I don't think that Henderson is a dirty player or that he meant to hurt Hansbrough. He did mean to foul him hard. Emotions were high because Duke was getting beat. Henderson has to face the consequences of his actions. What does bother me is Coach K's reaction. Why would he say that Hanbrough shouldn't have been in the game because it was over? Duke had at least three starters still out there and Paulus had just fouled out. The answer is simple: Coach K is a big baby.
I am sick of hearing about this great coach. He might be good but that doesn't make him a good man, or even a leader. Good leaders take the blame for the bad, and give credit to the players for the good. K misses this point badly. John Wooden, the games greatest coach, would have never made a comment like that. What is K teaching his kids with that comment? He is a whiner and always will be. I thought a hard foul was to try to keep someone from being able to score a basket. Henderson couldn't have cared less about Hansbrough getting another 2 points.
While Henderson probably didn't want to cause the visual damage of a bloody nose, he obviously did what he did to inflict some pain on Hansbrough. Both teams still are overrated. Ha, if Henderson would have wanted to he could have knocked that google eyed, white bread Tarhole clean out. Henderson is 10 times stronger and more athletic, the Tarhole is just a big dumb white boy. You Carowhina fans are all cry babies, whaaaaaa. All I gotta say is : Dougherty, lol.
Not Intentional. It appeared that after Hansbrough lost th ball, Henderson appeared to begin to brace himself since players were under him. He actually was turning away. He didn't lead with the elbow, but while in the air, he's feeling beneath him so as to not get undercut.
Without a doubt it was a cheap shot. You can see Henderson clearly seeing where the ball flight is while continuing to follow through with his arm to hit Hansborough. But it is true, it is part of the game. You come inside, you're gonna get punished inside. It truly is a lost art nowadays in a game where style is winning over substance.
B. Packer has given us yet another reason to wish CBS would fire his obnoxious butt.
No quarrel with his opinion that Henderson was going for the ball, but at no time in the numerous replays did he even admit to the possibility that it could be (much less Should be)referreed as a Flagrant /Combative foul. The ref's did the right thing, sending a message to players to play hard but watch it- there will be consequences.Henderson hurt his team as well as Tyler. Review the game film.
On at least two other occasions there were cheap shots delivered by Duke players. Both were noted by the announcers. Duke is known for taking cheap shots on Tobacco Road. at first glance, it looked like a typical hard foul. the angle shown when the ball is lost, you can really start to see the expression and the momentum towards a downward swipe. Call it what you will, I think the foul was warranted but not the suspension. Hansborough is another ACC big man who is a stud in college and won't amount to hill of beans in the NBA.
Of course it was a cheap shot! I read some of the other comments and said it was just hard foul!! Come on, you do not lead with your elbow and go to the head, there are other ways to hard foul and get the point across without cheap shot to the head. I also don't understand some of the comments about Hansbrough should have pulled the ball out with game in hand--WHAT?? What about all of the coaching about playing hard all the time, especially in a rivalry game as thick as this one, each team would pile on as much as they can no matter when and where they play. What should have been pulled out was the starting players, I blame Coach K here, if game was in hand why are the starters on the court risking chance of injury??
Judging by the quality of spelling and syntax in these responses, nobody here went to either Duke or Carolina. But you don't have to be a rocket surgeon to admit you've never seen a play like that before in college basketball. People just don't get hit in the face like that, ever. And if Henderson is that bad at playing basketball, that he can't control his arms and elbows, then he ought not be there.
Duke/Carolina may as well be the national championship for those schools, so anyone who thinks running up the score was "unnecessary" or that Hansbrough shouldn't have been in the game obviously has never seen a Duke/Carolina game or else is just willfully stupid. Maybe Duke should try a little harder to play good basketball. Perhaps letting a guy get his own rebound after a free throw isn't a solid gameplan? Take away the clutching, the jersey-grabbing, the referee-manipulating, and the cheap shots, and Duke basketball would be mediocre, at best. Leon,
Good thing you're not a head basketball coach. Retalliation is not the answer. Why does everyone, especially Billy Packer, keep trying to explain someone else's "intent"? Beauty and "intent" is in the eye and heart of the beholder. Only Henderson knows this and he is not about to own up to striking Tyler intentionally except when he is talking to his buddies. You want an insight watch Henderson's body language while walking off the court and you will see absolutely no remorse or regret -- call that intent if you want. Fact is the hit was "flagrant" and a "cheap shot" by any definition, that of the referees at the game, the ACC upon film review and even ex-Duke player Jay Bilas. Come to think of it, if Coach K is not bitching about the call like he normally does, then he too must agree. In the post game interview, it sounds like Coach K wanted Gerald to extend his arm more and close his fist when he hit Tyler -- guess they will work on that more in practice? Smart to use the forearm though since you could break your shooting hand on someone's head. Then Coach K wonders why the starters were on the court and infers that Tyler would not have been hit if he was on the bench -- think about that logic (OK for Gerald to hit a walk on?) and then ask K why all his starters except the two that fouled out were on the court? Isn't it the loser's prerogative to begin substitutions first? So the facts do "get in the way", Tyler's replacement was at the score table and Tyler was on the court shooting a free throw and then was coming out -- Tyler should have refused to shoot the free throw or just should have "dogged" the rebound? My memory is very poor but I seem to remember Dockery slapping Tyler on the head last year in anger? Coach K cusses like a sailor and throws fits at the referees and then wonders why his "kids" act like he does. He "leads" by telling his players that everyone hates them and Duke and then is surprised when they play like cornered animals. Shame on Coach K, Duke University (think the Lacrosse episode was an aberration now or Lattiner stomping on an opponent on the floor?), fans who rationalize this behavior and most of all Gerald Henderson. The UNC fans, coaches and players were the only ones who showed any class when they did not rush the court and stomp Gerald's butt like his parents and Coach should being do as we speak.
Henderson's eyes were CLOSED when he came flying in under the rim swinging his arm. CLOSED!! If it wasn't intenional then it was just plain stupid to swing your elbow around other players like that. Duke fans, stop drinking the Kool-aid and open your eyes.
I watched this game beginning to finish and I saw the whole thing. Granted, I go to Duke, but some people here still think it was intentional. If you look at the replay in slow motion, you see Gerald's full arm go up for the block, but then Steve Johnson from Duke blocked Hansbrough's shot from behind. After Gerald saw this, it looked like he tried to BRING HIS ARM DOWN which was why his elbow was at the angle that it was. And if you listened to the CBS announcers, they clearly called the ejection a wrong call, and that Gerald's fould was unintentional. I'm definitely not happy it happened because now we have to live without G for a game, but on a side note, we all hate roy williams with a passion for sending his starters out there at the end to try and run up the score like in every other game this season.
Also, I know Gerald, and a couple of the other basketball players like Lance Thomas, Jon Scheyer, Greg Paulus, etc. I go to school with them, and they have all been in my classes at one point or another. Gerald is by far the nicest guy, and is by no means considered a thug on Duke's campus. We have a thug, and he is Lance Thomas. Gerald is the boy who grew up wealthy (his dad played in the NBA) and he's a black dude that could have gone pro at GOLF. No way he's a thug. He always tucks his shirt in, and calls everyone "sir." There is NO way he let his emotions get to him in this way.
The injury suffered by Tyler Hansborough was completely unintentional on the part of Gerald Henderson. He is an athletic, young player who was trying to salvage one possitive out of the game and Tyler fooled him on the pump fake. If you watch the replay, the other Duke players also bit on the move, but were in a stationary posotion at the time. There is no wway he could have changed his body motion in the air and he did try to turn and grab the ball. The officials completely overreacted for if it was any other game than Duke-UNC than it would have merely been a flagrant and no suspension recieved. Because of the poor job by the officials to make the correct call, Duke loses one of its emerging offensive weapons for at least one game
Hans had it coming...run out the clock there. Play hard and get fouled hard. It's part of the game.
cheap shot - no doubt about it.
look at the replay - and watch henderson's eyes AFTER the ball was swatted away by a teammate. He kept his eyes on Hansbrough's face long after the ball was gone. frustration no doubt led to this - it must be difficult to come to Duke expecting a 1 seed in the Big Dance only to get a seven seed in the ACC conference tourney. but frustration is NO EXCUSE for what Henderson did. anyone who believes that Henderson was justified for such a vicious hard foul is daft. to say that hansbrough should not have been in the game because the game was long over is to also say that the Dookies didn't need to beat the crap out of Hansbrough. Why shouldn't he be allowed to play as hard as his opponents? so that the Dukies pride is not hurt any more than it already was? everyone know the intensity with which Hansbrough plays - it's his single greatest asset on the court. For the record, there was a substitute at half-court to come in for Hansbrough, but he had to shoot the free throw. fact of the matter is, UNC just gave Duke the worst defeat in the worst season Duke has seen in a very long time, and Hansbrough was the primary person responsible for the defeat - he practically beat Duke single-handedly with 26 points and 17 rebounds. Duke was frustrated. Intent? absolutely, no doubt about it. but I do NOT think that Coach K ordered this Cheney style. No chance of that. and there's a huge difference between a hard foul and hitting something in the face with an elbow. BTW, those who are arguing this was a hard foul thaqt was justified are basically admitting that this was INTENTIONAL. again, look at Henderson's eyes/face as he delivers the blow and tell me you still believe that it was NOT intentional. Most Tarheel fans have been complaining about teams killing Tyler and fouls not being called, they have pushed,grabbed,and just about everything else you can imagine. Officials have let this go on for most of the season and now it has finally come to this. Tyler has to have a cool head at all times. I think it was a flagarant foul and Henderson got what he deserved.
Definitely a hard foul and very unfortunate but also definitely unintentional!! Henderson wasn't even looking at Hansbrough when contact was made. Certainly NOT justification but consider this .... at that point in the game Duke was playing hard defense but had left the clock stopping hacks behind. The hard defense was necessitated by UNC attempts to run up the score with a recent show boating dunk after beating the press. Typical rivalry, winning team wants to maximize defeat and loosing team wants to protect its pride.
I was a hard foul and it did seem to be unnatural in the amount of force that was used. I mean, he really crushed him. However, for Hansbrough to be so distraught is nuts, that guy plays more physical than anyone else and often complimented for this "intense and focused" play...for everyone else it would be "out of control and flagrant." Doesn't matter though, neither one of these teams is tough enough to win anything more than an ACC title.
I think henderson realized he couldnt get the ball, and bent his arm to pull back, and his elbow came down on tyler. Completely unintentional, keep in mind these are big guys both moving forcefully, impact was bound to do something. Def a hard foul with unintended consequences.
I am appalled at the beating Tyler Hansbrough took... In the first half, he was hit in the mouth, loosening a tooth and even he grabbed his teeth, thinking it had been knocked out. The result, a root canal later. The rest of the game he had a mouthpiece in. Yea, he is a big man, virtually unstoppable, but those types of fouls are flagrant and should not be tolerated!
And in the final seconds, he was fouled thrice while getting decked...The folded arm of Henderson went almost to the floor as Tyler did...Look at the replays, he had his whole weight into that elbow. he almost fell on Hansbrough as his bent arm got within 2 feet of the floor... Duke is worn out, embarassed, so what else could one expect? They will have great seats Friday through Sunday back in Durham to watch on as spectators of the ACC championship, after N.C. State is finished with them...Yes, the devil came out of the Blue Devils. It looked like a cheap shot, but I do not think he was trying to hurt hansbrough. I will say there was no reason for the starters to be in the game for the heels. That was Williams bad judgement. I don't think henderson deserves to be suspended a game. Hansbrough should just quit crying and go on. That was the sloppest game I think in this rivalry, by the players and officials.
It was not an accident!!! It was a cheap shot and he should be suppended for the remainder of their short season. If he was going for the block, why was his hand lower than his elbow? And his demeanor while talking with the reporters, just confirms that he did try to hit Tyler.
I think it was cheap, dirty? maybe not. There is no question Henderson was trying to give him a hard foul. Lets be real, who goes up to get a rebound or block a shoot, and then slams down there elbow the way Henderson did? and another thing? what is Coach K talking about saying that Coach Williams should have had his scrubs in? He had all of his starters out, and had a sub ready for Tyler when he got fouled. He needs to shut up, if he really thought the game was over and that both teams needed to give up, then why were Mcroberts, Henderson, Nelson, and Schyer still in the game?
There's no way you can say Henderson was going for the ball; he never even looks at the ball. However, the hit looks worse in slow motion than it does in real-time, and the play took place in real time. I don't think Henderson was trying to land an elbow strike to anybody's face, but he was clearly trying to foul Hansbrough and knock him down.
Ejection and a game suspension seems about right. Next time these two teams play, though, Henderson should consider not driving the lane. He might get his head taken off. there are too many whiners out there today. He went for a hard foul and when the Duke player behind Tyler pulled him to the ground Henderson was out of position and fouled him harder than he meant. If you look a few plays earlier Henderson blocked a fast break dunk attempt with near the same intensity. The game was over and Henderson was not going to let the Heels get an easy bucket.
Henderson was obviously not going for the ball since it was not anywhere near where he was jumping and you don't go for a rebound with one arm cocked back like you're about to kill someone, the way Henderson did. That being said, I don't think he intended to hit him as hard as he did, but I definitely think he wanted to foul him very hard because he was frustrated that Duke was getting beat so badly. Henderson is actually lucky that he did break Tyler's nose because if it didn't bleed, I'm pretty sure Tyler would have annihilated him since he's been quoted as saying the only thing to make him lose his cool is getting hit really hard in the face. Also, I need to mention Billy Packer's typically horrible announcing during the incident about how "it was completely innocent and he was going for the ball." Give me a break
It was a cheap shot by a player who was frustrated at getting swept this year by Carolina. If the same thing would of happened to Dukes team, Coach K would of ranted + raved. Remember when Lattner stepped on the guy + wasn't kicked out of the game. Its about time someone elbows Coach K in the face. I mean, commits a unintentional silly foul.
He had malicious intent. That was obvious as you saw him pursue Hansborough after he gathered the rebound. Additionally, no one blocks shots with the tip of their elbow. He bent his elbow and used it to swing at his face.
A one game suspension is adequate, but Henderson and Duke should at least admit that it was intentional, and admit that it was due to a season of frustration because they are not very good this year and the whole country knows it. I think it was accidently. It looked as though he slipped right as he went up for the rebound and didn't have his balance. I have heard a lot of those guys(Duke & Carolina bball players) hang out together so I don't know how intentional it may have been.
Definitely intentional. Henderson wasn't even looking at the ball when he cocked his elbow and let fly. To their credit, Coach K. didn't try to argue the call and Coach Roy took the high road after the game but there's no place in bball for that kind of play, at any level; Henderson got off light by the way, he should have been suspended for the ACC tournament. And what's up with Billy Packer trying to gloss over the foul call?? He's lost what little credibility he had left....."that's a bad piece of officiating"....please.
I would like to hear what Roy Williams said to Coach"K". Looked like a cheap shot to me.
What can I say, typical Dook crybaby antics.
It was most certainly a cheap shot. You don't block a shot by smashing your forearm DOWN on to a player's face, after the ball has left the player's hands. Like the guy on ESPN.com said, now Dook is both BAD and Dirty. As a side note, it was fitting that Dawkins (who is completely classless) excorted the guilty Dook player off the court to shower of boos. Had Hansbrough's arms been up a little higher or Henderson's jump a little off, it would have been nothing more than a hard foul between rivals. Wouldn't have even been called intentional since Hansbrough was shooting.
The ejection was largely from the result, not the intent. Totally classless move by Hansbrough. The game is in hand and this guy wants to stuff his stat sheet instead of kicking the ball back out and let the time run out. If he would have never tired to score, he would have never got fouled. I am a fan of neither team, but a hard foul is all that was.
After watching it again and again during the airing I found myself arguing with the broadcaster who insisted in his opinion that it was accidental. I totally disagree, who tries go for a block a shout by turning away and closing their eyes!? Although he might not have intended as much damage as resulted, he definitely went for a hard aggressive foul.
Hey Billy Packer, quit doing commentary for UNC games. You're the worst. This is the same guy who talked trash about George Mason, claiming that the students there have 400 SATs. What an @sshole.
Not only intentional but done with an intent to injure. His arm was nowhere close to Hansbrogh's hands to block the shot. Maybe he was frustrated, but you can't possibly fault Hansborogh for playing hard.
I feel the excessive blow to Tyler was intentional. It was the result of an athlete that never takes a play off frustrating a player that hasn't learned how to take a loss. I'm sure by the time this group of Freshmen and Sophmores leave Duke, they'll have the losing thing down pat. You know it was intentional from Henderson's comment, "I've seen blood before, it's a physical game." If it had of been an accident, Henderson would have been at least a little upset with the result, himself. He showed no remorse. Duke was still fouling and calling timeouts during the last minute of the game with their starters still in the game, except for the two that fouled out. If you're not pulling your starters, neither am I. If any player for Duke had the right to be upset, it was McBob, he was out-played and out-hustled the whole game by Tyler. Why would any Bigman ever want to go to Duke when their Bigman coach is a former point guard named WoJo? unc4ever@aol.com
Sad but true - clearly intentional. The ball was already out of Hansb. hands when the elbow was thrown. Regardless of the score or the situation such fouls should not be tolerated. Henderson showed no remorse after the foul at all - and Coach K seemed rather pleased at the whole thing. If you are a Duke player wanting to "send a message" start with playing well and beating a quality team on the road, not to throwing elbows. As a Duke fan my last question is what the heck has happened to McRoberts? He was supposedly a blue chip talent with the ability to go straight to the NBA from high school. However, he looks to be nothing more than an overhyped player who is at best only slightly better than your typical ACC player - and certainly a far cry from an NBA talent. He looks in tears during almost every game - is he just frustrated or is really that fragile.
Anyone who has ever played basketball knows that sh!t happens. Especially in the paint. I've broken two noses, and I've had black eyes. It's a part of the game. It's easy to slow down the play and say "he closed his eyes!" when it happened in a split second. Everyone is so sensitive these days, when in the 80's, this would have been nothing more than a personal foul. Grow up.
Take it easy people! It really doesn't matter if the foul was intentional or not, that's not the problem, the problem is that it turned out severely. The act of a hard foul is a common and a needed part of the game. You can't have it both ways, expecting these guys to play hard and win and then criticize the way they accomplish it. If you watch the replay, henderson went to block the shot anticipating where the ball would be, afer hansbrough had the ball deflected he pitched forward into the path of hendersons attempted block.....NOT INTENTIONAL. A Freshman player would not commit that kind of foul on purpose. And concerning the all of the comments about DUKE crying, If you've been watching College basketball for the last 20 years DUKE hasn't had much of anything to cry about. TJ
It was a cheap shot. Hansbrough didn't even have the ball, and Henderson knew it. Coach K's comments afterwards, complaining about Hansbrough's presence on the court, reveal the intent.
What more do you expect from someone who plays for Coach Kz-rat-ski? It was intentional and dirty and plays like that should result in a season suspension. Usually you block a shot with your arm up high, Henderson's arm was low and he wasn't even looking at the ball. Last time I played I didn't block a shot with my eyes closed.
All of you that say the Heels should not have had their starters in are nuts. I am basketball coach and it is the responsibility of the losing coach to concede the win and start to sub in bench players when getting kicked like Duke was. For RatFace to say that Tyler should not have been in the game is crazy. McBoob was in the game until he fouled out, hence Tyler going to the free throw line. He had a player at the table to come in for him.
A CHEAP SHOT!! Just like the stomp in 92! Typical Duke! Sore looooooosers!!! Dirty! Also a dirty player. And a dirty coach to back his kid in that situation!
If you watch closely, you can tell that the foul was deliberate, and with intent to cause harm. At no time did Henderson have his arm extended to block a shot, but led with his forearm. For Kryzewski to claim that Duke players don't do that type of thing, all you need to do is recall Laetner stomping on a players head in a NCAA tournement game to see the lie in that statment.
I don't think Henderson is a dirty player, but I do think he was frustrated that his team was losing, and let his emotions get the better of him. Henderson did not mean to break his nose, but he flew in there with the intention of committing a very hard foul and for that he should be suspended. Did you see Coach Ks press conference after the game? He looked scared and shaken up like someone who had just been caught red handed in the act of committing a crime. Wouldn't be suprised if he called for the hard foul and was stunned by how it ended up.
When you knock a guy down accidently, you try and help him up. When you intentionally pop a guy in the face, you walk away like you meant to do what you did. That's just plain and simple. Not surprising from a Duke team that's overrun with whiners this year. Just watch Scheyer flop on his 3 point attempts in hopes of getting a foul, or witness McRoberts sob like a girl during the first UNC/Duke matchup and you'll see what I mean. They don't have the talent this year, and it's eating them up.
Henderson's foul was intentional, but why is that surprising. It's nothing new for Duke. I remember Christian Laetner stomping on the chest of a Kentucky player. I'm not sure he even got called for a foul on that one. And had Duke been playing anyone other than UNC, Henderson probably wouldn't have been called for a foul here either. Duke and UNC are both such cry babies and the Refs need to wake up and start calling Duke and UNC games with some integrity. The ACC is the worst conference for Refereing and I think every other team in the ACC should vote to kick UNC and Duke out of the conference until the referees agree to call the games fairly and stop giving in to K's and Roy's whining during the game.
uncalled for. henderson wasn't even near the ball. but I like how Coach K tried to blame Roy Williams for the cheap shot by saying he left Tyler in too long. Good try, K.
Interesting blog! I was a basketball coach for years (AAU, middle school, and high school) and I have rarely seen such a hard foul. I am an alum from neither school but have always enjoyed the Duke/Carolina rivalry.
I am very saddened to hear by some of the "postees" on this blog that Hansbrough "deserved" to get hit. No ball player, in any basketball game, deserves to get hit. When you say deserves, your intent is clear. I certainly can't speak for Henderson or his intent but the hit "appears" very intentional. If it were not intentional (which it may not have been), then I am also extremely saddened that Henderson did not specifically take the time to publicly apologize in post game interviews or press releases. Character is more important than the game... the players and their character is what keeps the game credible. That is why I must say again that all postings declaring that any player deserved a hit like that regardless of the situation should be condemned... even if Hansbrough was running up the score or padding his stats. From my experience, Henderson's hit, at best, was probably an intentional hard foul; but that is my opinion. Both coaches had starters in the game and both teams were still playing hard... good for the players and no fault of the coaches... it is an intense rivalry and I expect nothing less of the players and coaches. The bloody result of an individual probably being out of control was unfortunate and his lack of remorse or apology was even more distressing. Bad things happen... but where was the contrite character that we all like to see when such things happen. Just my two cents.... what a bunch of jackasses all of you are. he went for the block, when the ball got jarred loose he tried to pull away, realized there was going to be contact so he turned his head and his arm followed, unfortunately his elbow caught tyler's face. totally inadvertant, the officials made a terrible mistake.
It was a Cheap Shot by a cheap punk. Everyone is making the excuse that UNC had it's starters in the game however no one says anything about Duke still having starters in the game. Hansbrough had a replacement at the table when he was shooting the freethrow however he missed. Take that lame excuse and flush it. It was as cheap as Duke is a title contender.
I am sure Tyler Hansbrough has never done any hard fouling.... What goes around, comes around.
Why is everyuone trying to blame Tyler for being in the game and going back up after a missed shot? Did Duke still have in starters, and did Coach K continue to call timeouts well into the last minute of the game? This was a bad move by a player not used to getting it handed to him. We are seeing that Duke is a great winning team, but a poor losing team. Coach K's little jab at Roy Williams about having his players in even though it was over was crap. There is the difference between a classy Williams and a dukey K. The only thing worse was hearing Billy Packer repeatedly look at the same replay I was, and saying it was obviously not intentional. I have played basketball for years, and I have never led with my elbow while trying to block a shot. Blocking a shot with your elbow would be impressive, but breaking a face with your elbow is just wrong. After watching the game, the ensuing lack of manning up to a mistake by Duke, Duke is what I have always thought them to be, poor losers.
Classless move by Hansbrough? Are you kidding me? If you play any kind of sport, you know to play as hard as you can THE WHOLE GAME. He was playing at 110% as he always does. Yes Henderson took a cheap shot at Hansbrough. Who attempts to block a shot with their eyes closed using their elbow? Dook continues to show that they're classless.
Shots can be blocked by blocking them or swatting at them. Balls can be stolen by grabbing them or swatting them away if the player is out of reach for the grab. Up close to the basket and obviously above Tyler, the ball didn't need to be swatted, especially with that much force. Defensive men against the foul shot are known to usually control their swat back out to one of their own players in the back court and toward their basket. The shot was uncontrollable swatted with the hand and the elbow was not in line with the follow through, but directed toward Tyler's face. Intentional. His whole body was even moving toward Tyler more than going up toward the ball. Tyler was the target more than the ball. The arm should have come down naturally and without a bend in the elbow instead of out with aggression.
The great thing about America is the fact that we have so many opinions on matters that are so insignificant. It is not a matter of whether it was intentional or not because it clearly was. The question is whether he was going for a face pop or a bone breaker and clearly it has been confirmed it was the latter! With that said let it be known that if you play Duke and are winning by double digits and have any of your starters in the game, per Coach K you are subject too the hit squad and that it the way it is!!
Seriously, all of you who think that was an accident need to pull your head out of your ass. That foul was completely intentional. Coach K looked like a spineless lawyer during his weak attempt to defend Henderson. Duke has the media fooled if they think that is a classy program.
It was definitely intentional. Duke and Coach K are having a bad year and their frustration came to a peak. Coach K should rethink his views on sportsmanship and what values he is instilling in his team. Hansbrough and his intensity and sportsmanship are one of the UNC team's greatest assets. This kind of act does not belong in the game. If this had happened off court, Henderson would be up for assault charges.
The only part of the game is the fact that it's one of the biggest sports rivalries of ALL TIME. On that note, Hans' wasn't going to take the ball back out, at HOME to show love to Duke. ARE YOU SERIOUS? Never-the-less that doesn't take away from the fact it was INDEED cheap shot. C'mon, anyone that has played ball could clearly see on any of the 478 replays that his eyes were closed and he came recklessly through the lane. Think and watch before you post ignorance you idiotsticks. Go 'Heels!
This was most definelty a cheap shot. For anyone to think otherwise is ridiculous and never played basketball. I used to average about 8 blocks a game without fully extending my arm as well and using the elbow/forearm technique.
"But who cares, it was Duke against North Carolina. I pray for the day that we don't have to be subject to these two teams in the tournament."
(anonymous 2:06) obviously you care, since you took the time to watch the clip, if not the whole game, and comment on the issue... "If he would have never tired to score, he would have never got fouled." (anonymous 4:15) bad argument. what bothers me more than the actual foul itself is the way coach k handled it after the game. if you're going to accept the blame, accept it and be done with it- don't put it back on UNC for having tyler out there. 1. his sub was sitting on the sidelines anyway 2. if the game was already "in the bag", why was coach k calling timeouts and having his players foul? why not just play out the last seconds? 3. it's a duke/unc game- anything's possible (although to me, this game was over.. to duke, they were still playing very aggressively (nothing wrong with that) but don't blame UNC for doing the same. play to win until the end. not to mention that henderson could have handled the situation better. help him up, look at least slightly remorseful (if it were unintentional, that is), and don't condescendingly refer to him as a kid. I originally thought it was a cheap shot, but know that I know Henderson tucks his shirt in and plays golf, there is no way that it could have been intentional. Please.
Tell coach K do quit calling time outs with 50 seconds to go in a 15 point game and then they will take Tyler out. Definately a cheap shot.
The foul was completely intentional the refs made the correct call to kick Henderson out of the game. Did he specifically look to hit Hansbrough? No. It could have been anyone with a NC jersey on. Anyone who believes that Hansbrough should have been out of the game does not understand the game. The game was still relatively close and Duke was launch 3's and putting on a full court press. They had not given up. Hansbrough is an integral part of that team, an had a right to be on the floor. If Coach K's only defense for Henderson is that Hansbrough should have been out of the game than that really implies that it was completely and totally with full intention. Coach K should receive a reprimand from the University. Apologize and move on. Show some class.
After countless times viewing the footage and reviewing it, I think everyone in the sports world has it wrong. It was actually Hansbrough who went after Henderson. He tried to injure the opposition's most effectie player by hitting his arm with his face.
Duke fans hate Roy Williams with a passion because he kept Tyler in a game which Coach K was trying hard to come back and win in that final minute, I think Duke fans hate Roy Williams because he's beaten Duke 4 out of the last 6 times and those days of Duke dominating the Heels are over. I think Duke fans hate Roy Williams because he's the last coach on Tobacco Road to win a National Championship. This coach will not back down from a fight and Dookies hate that, what else do you expect when you're priviledge, everything easy. As far as the foul, off course it was intentional, It's UNC/Duke.
To the "Diehard Duke fan" who said that it was completely unintentional because it was just a hard play and that earlier in the game Terry "could have" hurt someone and that "if" Hansbrough had not bled or fallen to the floor; you are an absolute idiot. Terry did not hit anyone, Tyler did bleed and did fall to the floor. Wake up you tool. Live in the real world rather than a world of "what ifs".
There was no doubt in my mind as I was watching the game that the foul was intentional. The ball had already gone in a different direction and Henderson came in with his forearm. And that is coming from someone who is not a fan of either team. I think what I became tired of was listening to Billy Packer saying it was an accident and the referees handled the call incorrectly. How about we give Packer a 5 game suspension for being a knucklehead.
didn't really seem cheap to me..unlike in '92 when Laetner stepped on UK's Timberlake's chest and the refs did nothing...
facts:
1. UNC didn't benefit from Henderson's ejection and suspension. 2. If anyone should be upset it is UNC/Hansbrough for having to play out the rest of the season injured. 3. At no point during this episode has coach K, Duke, or Billy Packer really question the health and well being of Hansbrough who was injured. 4. If Duke can't beat NCSU without Henderson they deserve to lose. It is unlikely that Duke wins four days in a row to win the tournament regardless. 5. All of the prompt excuses and explanations from coach K and others made Henderson look guilty. 6. The fact that Hansbrough was in the game so late is irrelevant. It wouldn't have been acceptable if Thompson or Copeland got injured either from a out of control foul. If Paulus or McRoberts had not of fouled out they would have been in the game also. 8. This whole thing was brought on by coach K's decision to foul UNC to stop the clock in a game that Duke had already lost. 9. If Sheldon Williams, McRoberts, and the rest of Duke couldn't stop Hansbrough the last two years without trying to kill him...if Hansbrough returns next year it will be more of the same. 10. Most teams game plan against Hansbrough has been to double/triple team him and foul him hard and it really hasn't stopped him from scoring. If Hansbrough wasn't as tough as he his he would be another Shavlik Randolph. You don't want to compare the numbers between Hansbrough and Randolph. I love how the idiots who have never played basketball are calling this intentional and malicious. Do you even realize the speed at which the game is played at the Division I level?? Hansbrough is going up with the ball that gets knocked out of his hand while Henderson is still on his way up looking to block it. Yes, in slow motion it looks like he has all the time to check his block attempt, but in real-time that is not possible unless you are going at it half-speed. You cannot play this game at half-speed. Period.
Henderson's elbow was obviously cheap and a result of his frustration. He would not accept that his team was going to lose for the second time this season to the Tar Heels. Henderson should be ejected for more than one game. This type of bullshit cannot be tolerated in college basketball.
im glad he got hit in the face.I hate Hansbrough.and im not suprised this kinda thing happened in this rivalry.Go duke
everything is a cheap shot in basketball. everytime a person gets too close a foul is called. try gettin hit in the face with a hokey puck and complain the guy shot it too hard. not gunna work. get over it and play ball.
In no way did Henderson aim for Hansbrough's face. He went for the ball and missed. Period. It wasn't cheap, or dirty. Now Hansbrough shouldn't have been in the game, trying to score, or trying to get a board at that time anyway. Hansbrough is a good player that you want on your team but the "Johnny Hustle" rutine is pretty annoying at this point of a game,that is over. Besides, Hansbrough is known for doing the same thing when he goes up for blocks all the time. He's like Shawn Bradley. He tries tohit ball but he's not fast enough. It's ok though, he'll get plenty of those playing in Europe.
Although stealthy within the context of film reviews, I've concluded it was indeed a fragrant attack in the heat of the moment. The more I saw the film review, the more convienced I became. This is a regretable sign of the inherent side of compititive sport. It's the closest thing to war without being called war. We Americans call it sport and use slick phrases like "In the heat of the moment." American Sport has been given another black eye.
Anonymous NO WAY it was accidental. The ball, at that point, was nowhere near Hansbrough's face. It was as if Henderson was going to go for the swat and then decided, when the opportunity was not there, to just hit Hansbrough instead. Coach K is fooling himself for his own benefit. It was DIRTY, and I can only imagine Duke's response if the roles were reversed.
Seen the replay over & over. Definitively a cheap shot by a player on a losing team that obviously has no control over himself, and is one of those players who needs to prove something. He could not handle the fact that Tyler got his own rebound and was probably gonna get another dunk. Lame ass, cry baby, childish move. Accept the loss like a man and use it to fuel you for the next head to head.
Those of you arguing that Hansbrough should not have been in the game need to ask yourselves a question: Why was Duke leaving its starters in, full court pressing, shooting threes and calling time-outs after made shots if the game was really over? What was UNC supposed to do, put its walk-ons in for Duke's starters to full-court press. Also, Duke fouled UNC before any of this happened while the UNC point guard was trying to run out the clock. If they had not been doing this, the game would have been over for five minutes at the time the foul occurred.
are you kidding me that was so on purpose!!! you'll have a hard time trying to conivece me that it wasn't...you don't go and jump up raise your arm and ball your fist up if you were just trying to get the ball away and then bring it right dowm ontop of some one...ya just dont but i think that the officals made the right decision...
i think the foul was both cheap and fully intentional. Gerald Henderson is a scrub and so is the whole Duke team. I hear some people saying oh well why was Tyler even in the game that late, and trying to compare it to the Kincks vs. Nuggets brawl. This isnt the Nba, and its the greatest rivalry in all sports apart from maybe the Redsox vs. Yankees. And although i hate Duke with a passion youd think such a admired Coach as coach K wouldnt have called that play. Fuck Duke
Of course it LOOKS like he was swatting at the ball, that's what he wanted it to look like. But the dead giveaway is the fact that the ball is well over his head yet he is swatting straight downward and doesn't even make contact until his arms are nearly at his waist. Also, I don't think someone trying to make a "basketball move" closes their eyes during a play unless they expect a great deal of contact that they themselves are instigating. He just made the snap decision out of frustration to give this guy a hard foul and it resulted in more than he intended. This has more to do with competition than rivalry. Each side has justifiable reasons for their actions leading up to that play but also should take on equal responsibility for the results that occured. Things got a little out of hand and the Duke player should be punished for the injury he caused. Everything else is all just apart of basketball. There shouldn't be anymore emotions or resentment about what happened other than the natural ones involved in a healthy, heated rivalry. OU sucks, go TEXAS!
An NFL defensive lineman stomped the unmasked face of an opponent this year, only to apologized and accept full responsibility for causing an ugly, unsportsmanlike incident.
Henderson and Coach K's comments that they were sorry "the kid" got hurt is a pale, almost meaningless apology. Real men point the finger at themselves and confess wrongdoing when they cause damage, intentional or not. I play basketball, and a you know when a person is intentially trying to hurt you. Usually at the Y or other places it ends up in a physical alterations. It was intentional and in the Y it is okay to jaw and fight, but in big time college basketball the guy should be suspended because Hansbrough has no recourse that will not draw sanctions. However, if I got hit I would go to the Duke campus and catch him coming out of class, pop him in the nose, and tell him we are even.
To the "Diehard Duke fan" who said that it was completely unintentional because it was just a hard play and that earlier in the game Terry "could have" hurt someone and that "if" Hansbrough had not bled or fallen to the floor; you are an absolute idiot. Terry did not hit anyone, Tyler did bleed and did fall to the floor. Wake up you tool. Live in the real world rather than a world of "what ifs".
Classless act by Hansbrough? A man who plays with such passion on every play is a rarity. If Duke's big men knew how to box out, then it wouldn't have been a problem. However, Duke does not know how to develop big men. McRoberts is a good example. The kid is no better than he was when he showed up on the Duke campus. Hansbrough doesn't need to pad stats. He just plays hard on every play, and that will never be classless.
Def on purpose...nobody can play for Duke and miss the basketball by that much!! He wanted the spotlight on him and this is the lowest way to achieve it!
If Coach K wants to say that UNC should've pulled their starters, then he should've pulled his first. Duke was also still fouling with no chance of getting back into the game. Sounds like the ultimate narcisist wants to have it both ways as usual. No class.
If you've ever played the game, you know cheap shots are taking all the time in paint. When a guy fires up a three and you've got your big uglies boxing out down low, there are always elbows thrown to the lower back/kidney area. It's part of the game! What Henderson did was cheap, no doubt! Tyler got his own rebound when no one boxed him out and went up hard. Gerald figured it was adding insult to injury and came at him with his elbow. Duke is notorious for it's dirty play and this just solidifies what was already known. One game suspension was deserved, but I would like to see Duke play G'Town in the tourney and let Roy Hibbert come down on Henderson with his elbow.
Why would anyone blame the victim in this case? Was it a hard foul? Yes without a doubt. Was it a cheap shot? Yes, without a doubt. Anyone that has played basketball or any sport realizes that if you lead with your elbow or forearm when making a defensive move, the end result will not be a positive one. Henderson let his emotions get the best of him and lost his cool. Too argue that Hansbrough should not have been in the game is admitting that it was intentional. Does Hansbrough play rough and tough, absolutely. Find one big man in the ACC or any big time program that doesn't bang in the middle and I will show you a guy that rides the bench. Basketball contrary to what anyone says is a contact sport. However there is a difference between contact and inflicting a potentially harmful and fully intentional blow. Step back and take a look and don't let your pro-Duke or pro-NC feelings influence what you really saw.
As for Coach K's comment
Folks, as a lot of carolina and duke fans remember....that game wasn't over. If you will recall the carolina/duke game with carolina down by 17 seconds left. Carolina ended up winning the game. Regarding Henderson's actions.... If it was truly unintentional, henderson would have immediately been appologetic. He would have tried to help hansborough up. I was at the game, and all i saw was duke being the "dookies" that we hate. Complete lack of class showed on duke's part. The only honorable thing for Coack K to do in that situation would be to forfeit the game after that play. Henderson should be expelled. That type of behavior is only tolerable in the NBA. It doesn't belong in college sports. "Posted: 2:54 PM by Anonymous
Hansbrough is a wimp, he bleed like a stuck hog, lol. What a wuss! Posted: 2:56 PM by Anonymous If it was intentional then it was very similar to the way Crapolina conducts themselves. After all, unc is the punk thug school of the south. Duke owns unc but this year we took a breather. Next year will be FAR different. Tyler is a softie, a wimpy player, he can't take a hit to the face that's for sure." How about I come throw an elbow at both your noses and see how you take it? That foul was a cheap shot from a classless program, headed by one of the biggest rats in college basketball. You can talk all you want about how Tyler was in there with the game decided, but in the same respect, why was Coach Rat taking a timeout with 50 seconds left if the game was decided? I am a huge ACC fan (FSU grad '94) and have watched this game for 20+ years, and while I root for both of these teams when they play, no question it was an intentional foul, and the ejection / suspension was warranted. The key to me is Henderson was leading with his elbow from the start - no way a ball player is trying to block a shot with his elbow.
Duke is lucky the ACC did not extend the suspension more that the automatic 1 game. There are obviously two issues at hand in regards to the blood feud at Chapel Hill. The actual foul being the first, and secondly, the reaction and comments by Coack K.
The foul was meant to stop Hansbrough from scoring, and it obviously worked. But, as a former college basketball player and man of common sense, I know that the way to stop someone from scoring is to wrap the players' arms up (much like Duke #41 did on the same play). There was clear intent to "send a message" and it has absolutely no place in college basketball. A player and athlete of Gerald Henderson's caliber is easily able to control his body and forearms. The reckless way that he "went for the block" is clearly inappropriate at best. Some comments mentioned that he was looking for a place to land after getting off balance. Please do not insult your own intelligence. Henderson went in with the intent, out of frustration, to get a cheap shot in on the one player that Duke could not contain. Case closed. As far as Coach K's comments go, they defy logic. He was calling timeouts, fouling to send UNC players to free throw line, and basically continuing to coach (as he should) all with under 1 minute to play and the game "out of hand". To basically blame Roy Williams for the foul for leaving players in the game is poor taste and lack of class. The fact of it being a rivalry game is understandable, but should have no bearing on such fouls or tasteless comments by coach K. If a team is continuing to play hard, you play hard as well, even if that means beating a press by a dunk or grabbing an offensive rebound. Everyone knows that the team trailing begins to make substitutions unless you are still fighting for the win. So, was Coach K sending in the walkons? Was he still attempting to foul to stop the clock? Was he still coaching as hard as his players were playing? I think the answers speak for themselves in regard to not only the intent of the foul but the blame for what happened. Duke is a great institution, but only when winning. Intentional. Hard fouls are part of the sport, but "head-hunting" in any sport, i.e. football, lacrosse, soccer, should not and can not be tolerated. Henderson should be suspended. Sportsmanship should be taught at all levels. If the NCAA taught and/or valued sportsmanship, maybe some of the recent incidents in the NBA could have been averted and these players would understand that they are not bigger than the game.
I think Duke gets a lot of calls in their favor, mostly because Coach K intimidates the referees, and no referee wants to end up reffing junior-high games in rural alabama. This time, the refs definitely got the call right. For anyone who believes that Hansborough is at fault for this is both ignorant and has obviously never played a competitive sport. This is Division 1 basketball, not to mention Duke vs. UNC. You actually believe that a player as aggressive as Pyscho-T is not going to compete until the final buzzer? As a coach you teach your players to play until the whistle. Padding his stats? Are you kidding? Tyler Hansborough is not another self-absorbed stat watcher (see J.J. Reddick). If he was, he would be in the NBA right now making millions instead of returning to dominate the ACC.
This was a malicous intent to hurt someone. There was no attempt to gain control of the ball. This was an attempt to hit someone and unfortunatly it did.
Hansbrough was doing what any normal player does in trying to get an offensive rebound.....score. No one in their right mind can't say ANY NCAA team wouldn't try and do that. When you are losing by that amount, is the difference of an additional 2 points going to matter? Billy Packer must be taken of the air also. (or only shown on regional ACC games). He is the worst, most biased commentator on the air. How can anyone sit there as a professional anaylist, and say that it was Henderson's "intent" to hit him. If this had happened against an SEC team or Big Ten team, he would have stood up and cheered. 1 game was not enough. And the suspension should have been for the NCAA tournament. (Where the suspension would have mattered). I've played a lot of basketball and tried to block many more shots than I should have. However, I don't recall ever trying to block a shot with my forearm or elbow. Seems like using your hand might be the best way to go.
It was a total cheap shot and anyone who says otherwise is a Dook apologist or simply uninformed. I can't help but wonder why this controversy evokes such passion. Could it be that both Duke and Carolina fans love something even more than their schools? I hope so. I hope they love the rivalry between them. A rivalry that holds both institutions to higher standards of excellence and behavior. Anything that degrades or diminishes that rivalry, that code of conduct, is an affront to Duke and Carolina fans alike. This time a Duke player is accused of breaking the code. Next time it could be Carolina. Let's hold each other to the highest standard, but remember that only Gerald Henderson and no one else may understand what was going on in his mind at that instant, and I believe he may not be completely certain himself. Each side may be passionately critical of the other, but only because they both aspire to the same lofty standards. Here's to the best that the best of rivalries can produce. Let the Tobacco Road rivalry grow in our hearts and not just in our egos.
Another overreaction by the press. Looked like the ball was partially blocked from behind which diverted ball from the path that Henderson anticipated and Gerald consequently hit Tyler's face. Intentional -- not; hard foul -- maybe. Ejection and suspension -- no way. I have seen FSU players get mugged much worse than that by UNC/Duke with the result being a non-call. The ACC should concentrate on removing the favorable/preferential balls given to Duke and UNC over the years vs other teams in ACC and call the games on an even basis. Granted both UNC and Duke hustle, hustle, and hustle often rewarding them with preferential calls. Chuck
No question that Henderson meant to make a hard foul. If you watch the replay Henderson isn't even looking at the ball. Since when has anyone tried to make a shot block with their elbow?
Well, Billy Packer didn't think it was intentional, but Billy Packer is usually either blatantly obvious or terribly wrong in any given comment. The ball was nowhere in sight, but if Hansbrough hangs on to the it, he saves his nose and just takes a hard foul.
I don't think the elbow to the face was intentional. Granted, Henderson may have meant to give him a hard foul but that does not mean that he meant to break Hansolo's nose. Also, I take all of the criticism of Duke as a compliment. That just shows the true colors of all you pussies who whine about Duke. Even in a down year like this year, they are still better than a lot of programs.
You Duke fans are just plain stupid. First, and foremost, you like Duke and Coach K. Second, you can't handle it that K hasn't been able to intimidate the refs into giving them more wins. Yes, I said giving (see Clemson). Third, you guys still think that McRoberts is better than Hansbrough. I could go on and on about this but let me just finish with this: Anyone whos thinks that Hansbrough is weak or soft doesn't know their butt(Coach K) from a hole in the ground(Duke U).
When I was playing in highschool we had a similar incident occur in one of our games. The opposing coach called my teammate a cheap shot artist for a flagrant foul that started a fight during the game. I don't think the Duke players actually realized how close Henderson came to seriously injuring Tyler. That play was uncalled for and obviously done on purpose. Forget a suspension, where's the fine?
Intentional. It looked like Henderson was swatting for the ball, but come on no ones swats with the amount of force to break a nose. He had an intention and mission accomplished. I think Coach K's post game comments about Hansbrough being in the game back it up.
Definitely an intentional hit. Players block shots withtheir arms extended, to reach up high. This was a bent elbow, to hit another player. In the interview he called him a "kid", another tip that he was having an emotional trip against the player. Clearly intentional, suspension warranted, caoch K, a liar.
From my unbiased perspective the elbow was a Cheapshot inspite of Billy Packers assessment that it was not. Clearly the ball had fallen out of the immediate area prior to the elbow striking Hansbrough. The telling image to me was the downward thrust in what appeared to be a dead aim at the face. Henderson should have been suspended for more than a single game. This could have been avery serious injury and kept Hansbrough from participating for much longer. I would expect to see something like this at a hockey game.
someone at the top said that henderson shouldnt have been suspended...He is a Duke fan obviously but anyway all i know is you dont go up for a block with you elbows swinging I think it was intentional..Duke was getting owned and Henderson couldnt handle it so he took it out on Tyler. Duke is horrible
Any morone with 2 eyes sees that this was not an accident.
You fans are morons.
UNC tried to kill the clock... Duke kept fouling them. Look at the number of Duke starters still in the game at the time! Tyler's sub had already checked in at the scorer's table... but Duke fouled him and sent him to the line... can't sub for the guy shooting the free throws. By the way, UNC and Duke both suck... Pac-10 Basketball Rules!!! A definate cheap blow from a frustrated and cry baby "K"team. Doesnt matter if the thug plays in tha ACC Tourney DUke is out quick. LAter HEnderson and the rest of the cry baby DUKIES
I agree with the previous comment, sure it was a cheap foul, but thats just part of the game. Henderson deserved to be ejected and he was, so whats the problem? The only reason this is being made into a big controversy is because its Duke v UNC.
How the mighty have fallen. Coach K has his panties in a bunch because Carolina was trying to embarrass his team. Gotta love it. So Roy Williams should have taken out his starters because the game was wrapped up? Why, then, were the Duke starters still in the game? It was not only intentional, it was malicious. Henderson wasn't trying to foul Hansbrough, he was trying to hurt him. If this was any other team besides Duke -- any team -- this would be cut and dry. I love the logic Duke fans are using: Hansbrough deserved to get hammered because his coach left him in the game.
Henderson did not, repeat, did not intentional hit Hansbrough. Yes it was a foul..but for Henderson to be suspended. UNBELIEVEABLE...it was not fair call. Hansbrough is one BIG BABY..
Absolutely a cheap shot. If you are trying to block a shot, you extend your arm/hand and look at the basketball. Henderson did neither. Not to mention that Hansbrough lost the ball way before Henderson jumps so there was nothing to block. He also clearly extends his elbow in the direction of Hansbrough's head/face. I don't think Henderson intended to break Hansbrough's nose, but he did intend to elbow him in the head. Simply a case of a Duke player frustrated during another loss to the Heels.
I also thought Coach K's questioning of why Hansbrough was in the game was lame. Coach, take responsibility for what was a cheap shot by one of your players. And Duke fans wonder why everyone hates them... Part of the game. When you play you have to expect to get hit. You either hit or get hit. It makes the world go round.
Definetly cheap and dirty and on purpose, he should be suspended for the rest of the season. Another thing, get Billy Packer off tv.
What's ridiculous is the extremely biased Duke Haters crying about the extremely biased Duke Apologists. It has always fascinated me how often the angry Duke haters are unable to see how their hatred makes them so biased, as if the world is pro-Duke and the Duke haters are the only reasonable ones. Give me a break, the bias goes both ways. Hey, I'm as jealous of Duke as the next guy, and I admit sometimes I'm happy when they lose, but saying ridiculous things about how Duke is dirty or cheats or gets all the breaks, that just makes you and your school look bush league. I don't remember all of you so-called "reasonable" and "unbiased" people defending Duke when Luol Deng literally got knocked out by a "hard foul" from a UNC player (Noel?) a few years ago, when no foul was called by the refs. All of you who are stating that Henderson's foul was "clearly" this or that, whatever. He committed a hard foul, I personally think he wasn't trying to hit Hansbrough's face, but he did, so the suspension is valid. There has to be punishment when you're being reckless, even if it's not "intentional." Also, if it had been Josh McRoberts at the line, with Duke about to win and only a few seconds left, had he gotten a rebound and tried to dunk it, all of the Duke haters of course would be talking about how ridiculous and unclassy that was. And if he had gotten hit in the face and bloodied, I suspect there would be a lot less anger towards UNC about that. Not saying that's totally unfair, with success comes the bullseye, I'm just saying the rest of us could probably stand to be a little more intelligent.
Amazing how so many 'experts' can see the same play so differently. It does, however, seem like the perfect opportunity for the anti-Dukes to vent. But as a Vandy grad, I have respected the Duke program for consistently succeeding in a tough academic environment. However, I can only imagine that if this play had happened on the playground rather than on TV in front of millions of analysts, there would have been an ugly fight because there would have been no doubt about Henderson's intentions.
Watching the replay over and over again, it became more and more obvious it was intentional. Henderson jumped after the ball was knocked loose and still continued to swipe at Hansbrough. The muscles in his arm were tensed and his eyes were slightly closed indicating that he was preparing to hit something. This analysis coming from an NC State fan, who is happy that one of Duke's best players will be on the bench when we play them in the ACC Tourney. Go Pack! Even though I an not a UNC fan I want to congratulate Hansbrough for taking the high road and not instigating a riot on the floor of the Dean Dome. Way to keep your cool Hansbrough and way to be the bigger man.
Yes it was a dirty shot, just like Latner's stop on Kentucky's Timberlake's chest. Every one put Duke above and better than anyone but they play dirty. Coach K is lying to say he would suspend anyone longer for dirty fouls. He did nothing to Latner nor would he do anything now. Billy P.(CBS) is just as snob like many Duke fans.
Wow! I hope most of you folks never sit on a jury where my fate is decided! Having been a fan of the ACC since its inception and an alumnus of NC State, I can assure you that I've seen many, many more "flagrant" violations than Henderson's. At times I've wondered how any player ever came out of some of these "blood feuds" intact. Was Henderson's foul intentional? -- How do I know? These games are so rough and usually very fast-paced that anything can happen. Say what you like, however, whatever your school loyalties: Coach K's teams play hard, as do Coach Williams's and those of the OTHER TEN teams in the ACC. Let's hear less flak about those guys in different shades of blue and more about Virginia, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, and the most underrated team in the conference, the Maryland Terps!
It was cheap and is the beginning of showing the real side of Coach K ball. He isn't the saint that everyone thinks he is---just watch/listen to how he and his assistants talk to their players while on the sidelines. Makes Knight look pretty good in comparison.
First of all, it's a man's game in the paint. Where I come from there's a saying: "If you don't want to get hit, then don't go into the paint." He was supposed to have gotten hammered.
Second of all, Hansbrough (NC's best player), should not have even been in the game with 14 seconds left and a 12 point lead. Some people are saying that it was a classless cheap shot by Duke. I say it was classless for Hansbrough to try to stuff his stat sheet by trying to score with 14 seconds left in the game. He should have kicked the ball out and run the clock out. Third of all, intentional or not, Henderson did the right thing according to "Man Law." Always respect your opponent, especially an arch rival. Hansbrough disrespected Duke by trying to score with 14 seconds left in the game. Hansbrough should be sorry for what he did, not Henderson. Fourthly, anyone who knows anything about Basketball can tell you that it was just a hard foul. Heck I've been hit harder and I've never even played "Big Time" college basketball. Stop crying! Hansbrough is a Beast under the basket. You can't give him a weak foul. He would slam both you and the ball straight through the basket. Like it or not, Basketball is a contact sport. That's why they give you five fouls. This incident, and the comments afterward, have permanently changed my opinion of Duke basketball. I live in Chapel Hill for the last two years and watched the game live. Most people here love UNC and hate Duke. I've been unusual in liking both UNC (a lot) and Duke (more than most teams, less than my four top favorites: I actually respect and appreciate the enthusiasm of the Cameron Crazies). This incident really made me angry, though. I have now joined the legions of Duke haters, and was screaming "Go to Hell Duke!" with a lot of the rest of the crowd at the top of my lungs while the refs were deliberating. Making things worse, Coach K's comment implying that Tyler shouldn't have been in the game was assinine. Henderson's comments (calling Hansborough "the kid") lacked class as well. I wonder if this incident will sour the close friendship that has existed between Wayne Ellington (Fr UNC guard with a silky smooth jump shot) and his former high school classmate Henderson.
Defnitely an over-the-top foul, but based on Henderson's demeanor this season, I doubt it was meant to harm. In fact, I would not be surprised to see his performance on the court suffer when he returns.
I also think leaving Hansbrough in the game was a mistake. He wasn't needed to secure the victory. Dude, grab the board, pass it out, let the guards handle the end of the game. CHEAP SHOT! Dude should be suspended for 5 games! I live in Los Angeles, couldn't care less about outcome, but I know what's right. Follow in the NBA's footsteps and make this kid an example.
All I have to say is thank god Dewey the absolutely friggen sueno was there to stop Hansbrough in his tracks! Good job Harry
hansbrough is a baby
i would have dared him to take a swing at me the big sissy it was clearly unintentional and i think that hansbrough needs to suck ti up and quit crying hes always crying when things dont go his way i want to punch him in the face and let him cry in front of everybody like he does when hes luosing For anybody that has played the game can tell that it was accidental. He went up for the block and by the time he got into the play it was over. He tried to avoid the contact but the foul by another teammate caused the contact. Besides how many people will throw an elbow with an open palm?
i am a duke fan!!! i think that it was not an intentional foul. Henderson was with out a doubt upset about being down and went for the hard foul. I dont think that henderson ment to hit hansbrough that hard, and was certainly not trying to break the kids nose. I feel for hansbrough and i hope his nose gets better. but one question... why on earth was he in the game? He should have been sitting out. They had the game won already.
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