Ken Davis

SAN ANTONIO - Tyler Hansbrough may have been the national player of the year in most people’s eyes, but Saturday night in the Alamodome it was Hansbrough’s eyes that told a story of sadness and disappointment.

An intimidating part of Hansbrough’s game can be that wide-eyed, competitive look that earned him the nickname Psycho T. After losing to Kansas 84-66 in the national semifinals Saturday, Hansbrough could only stare blankly into space. The pain and frustration had temporarily crushed his spirit.

Hard to believe that a 36-win season could result in so much disappointment. But such are the expectations at North Carolina.

“They came after me with a lot of people,” Hansbrough said. “That’s what every team’s been doing but they did a particularly good job of it. I don’t think I played the best. But you know they played real good D.”

Now the big question surrounds Hansbrough’s future. If he once again turns down overtures from the NBA, North Carolina should be the preseason favorite to win the 2009 national championship. Most mock draft projections, including NBAdraft.net, place Hansbrough in the 2009 draft after his senior season.

Even before Saturday’s loss at the Final Four, there was widespread speculation that Hansbrough would be back for his final year. Word is that the big guy sincerely enjoys college. Unlike other college stars, such as freshmen Michael Beasley, Eric Gordon and Derrick Rose, the decision to leave behind his college days won’t be so easy for Hansbrough.

Now some think Hansbrough won’t want the bitter taste of defeat to remain from what would be his last college game. Coach Roy Williams was asked if the loss might bring Hansbrough back.

“You know, I have no idea," Wlliams said. “Tyler and I talked before the season, said we would discuss it after the season’s over with. We’ll probably sit down Tuesday or Wednesday and try to start making some decisions. Maybe not some decisions, but to come up with a plan to give me some time to look into it with the NBA people.”

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It’s harder than ever to look one year ahead and project the next national champion, the successor to Kansas. The best teams all have players who face big decisions in the coming weeks. Their coaches will get that advice Williams was talking about and within the next four or five weeks the picture will become clearer.

Williams faces a similar situation to last year. Brendan Wright was the only Tar Heel who turned pro then and that set the stage for another deep run in the NCAA Tournament. Georgetown ended North Carolina’s season in the 2007 Elite Eight. This year, North Carolina took one more step, reaching the Final Four. If Hansbrough, Wayne Ellington and Ty Lawson all return to Chapel Hill next season, expect the Tar Heels to be driven again. This time the next step is playing all the way to the national championship game.