Recently, Tyler Hansbrough has been (unfairly) maligned by two particular columnists (and I'm sure thousands of ABC fans nationwide). It all stems from this 'Beasley vs. Hansbrough' National Player of the Year debate. Who's the NPOY? Who deserves it? Who's more valuable to his team? And that's about all the relevant questions in that debate. It doesn't matter who plays the game prettier, or who you think is going to be a better pro. It's about who has meant the absolute most to his team in college basketball this season. I think you see where I stand.

But I digress . . .

Rick Morrissey, a guy so cool he spells his name with two 'r's and two 's's, puts Tyler at the top of his "'not-to-like' list." It's a list of one, he assures us. Why? Because he's met Tyler and Tyler was rude to him, right? Because Tyler forwarded him an urban legend email, right? Because Tyler stole his girlfriend, right? Wrong. Because Tyler is on TV too much. Because he's overexposed.

Rick, Tyler is on TV a lot because he's a damn good basketball player!

And then there's this: Mike Freeman of CBSSports.com contends that Tyler is in the running for National Player of the Year because "America loves a tough white guy." Really? Maybe it's because Tyler is a damn good basketball player! Does anyone remember Greg Oden? Kevin Durant? Michael Beasley, even? J.J. Redick? Adam Morrison? Were these players given media attention because of their race, or because they scored points and played the game well?

Gene Wojciechowski is the voice of reason here. Tyler Hansbrough is simply the latest National Player of the Year, and to bring anything other than his stats and team contributions into the conversation isn't fair to him or any other player.