Not entirely true. Hansbrough more than held his own against Oden.
Oden vs. Hansbrough
Oden, Hansbrough shine under ESPN lights
By Jeff Rabjohns, The Indianapolis Star
INDIANAPOLIS — After the first half of Thursday night's nationally televised game, Lawrence North junior Greg Oden didn't look like the top player in the nation.
One basket. Two points. His team trailing by three points.
Three minutes into the second half, everything changed.
Oden threw down one powerful dunk after another, starting a highlight show that lasted until Lawrence North's 56-40 victory over Poplar Bluff (Mo.) was finished.
When it was over, the 7-foot junior had 16 points on 7-of-9 shooting, with five dunks, five rebounds and two blocked shots.
His opponent for the ESPN2 telecast played in front of approximately 7,000 at Hinkle Fieldhouse, 6-9 senior Tyler Hansbrough, was impressive as well.
The North Carolina recruit scored 16 points, shooting 7-of-14 from the floor, with 12 rebounds, one assist and one block.
Lawrence North senior forward Donald Cloutier, headed for Western Michigan, turned heads with 15 points, shooting 7-of-9 from the field with two dunks and solid defense on Hansbrough.
The made-for-TV matchup, once tied at 32, turned into a rout once Oden erupted.
He scored 11 of his team's 13 points -- nine coming in a row on four highlight-film dunks and a free throw -- during one stretch in the second half.
On the first two dunks, he posted deep in the lane against 6-8 Ross Whelan, turned, slammed and drew a foul.