Tyler Hansbrough shows respect to hated rival with podcast answer

Former North Carolina Tar Heels basketball star Tyler Hansbrough played four years with the program, delivering two Final Fours and a national championship. He’s considered a North Carolina legend and played a lot of basketball for the university.

Through his four years, Hansbrough had several battles against Duke, NC State, and other Atlantic Coast Conference rivals. With Duke being a hated rival of the Tar Heels, it’s pretty common for them to be the most hated team for a lot of former players.

However, for Hansbrough that isn’t the case.

While appearing on the Run Your Race podcast with Theo Pinson, Hansbrough was asked who does he dislike more. And without any hesitation, he pointed to NC State.

“I dislike State more,” Hansbrough said. “Yeah, no question. Well I think you have to respect Duke for a lot of their accomplishments. I feel like sometimes, NC State feels like they are in the same category as us and Duke. It’s not. You have to earn that. They have had some wins lately, but let’s get some more NCAA wins and make them count.”

Theo Pinson: Who don’t you like more, Duke or State?

*zero hesitation*

Tyler Hansbrough: I dislike State more. pic.twitter.com/YixkFLBsJy

— Jacob Turner (@JacobTurnerTHI) October 31, 2023

Pinson actually agreed with Hansrbough, bringing up points that NC State can win some regular season games but can’t win where it counts.

It does make sense for Hansbrough and Pinson to respect Duke. The feeling on the other side is probably mutual and those that have been around the rivalry for a long time has that feeling of mutual respect.