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Hansbrough, who made multiple attempts to check in for Memphis’ Robert Dozier and Kansas’ Sasha Kaun, dove to the floor more than 20 times as a self-willed 11^th participator to come up with 12 loose balls. The North Carolina star also nabbed seven rebounds, including four in the critical final three minutes of the game.

“Tyler is so tenacious he just wants to be out there for every possession,” said Kansas coach Bill Self. “You can’t question that kid’s hustle. When neither team on the floor wants you to get the ball and you still come up with it – that’s determination.”

Both teams were given a break from Hansbrough’s intensity when he received a cut above his right eye in the second half and had to sit out six minutes while the Kansas trainer reluctantly treated him with two stitches.

“[Tyler] is just like a magnet to a loose ball and will put his body on the line,” Memphis coach John Calipari said. “You can bet he’ll be diving if that ball’s on the floor whether he’s a sanctioned game participant or not.”

Hansbrough was awarded the game ball by the winning Jayhawks for his inspired hustle plays and relentless defensive effort on both ends of the floor, where he took five charges and blocked six shots the Tigers and Jayhawks attempted.