Hansbrough to have number retired

Tyler Hansbrough will soon take his place among a select group of North Carolina basketball greats.

The junior was honored as national player of the year by Sporting News on Tuesday, ensuring he will become only the eighth Tar Heels player to have his number retired, joining a list that includes Michael Jordan, James Worthy and Phil Ford.

“It truly is something special to have accomplished,” said Hansbrough, who wears No. 50. “In fact, it’s kind of hard to sit here and talk about how it feels to be put in the same category as the players who are up there already.”

The 6-foot-9 Hansbrough led the Atlantic Coast Conference in scoring (23.1 points) and rebounding (10.5) this season.

Nolan Richardson said he’s no longer a candidate to become the coach at Arkansas State.

“There were some things that weren’t able to fit,” he said.

Richardson has been out of college coaching since 2002, when he was fired by Arkansas. He said last week he was talking to Arkansas State, which has had an opening since Dickey Nutt resigned Feb. 19.

Richardson said he and Arkansas State decided to move in different directions. He made it clear that he’s still interested in coaching -- but only in the right situation.

“I’ve got all the fire in the world in my belly,” the 66-year-old Richardson said. “I’m looking for that fit.”

Western Illinois Coach Derek Thomas resigned after five seasons and only 40 victories with the team.

The Leathernecks went 12-18 this season and were 40-104 in five seasons under Thomas.