Be nice if we could, you know, actually be excited about being #1.
The AP made UNC a consensus unanimous preseason #1 which is possibly the first time that has happened. Too bad we are all worried about Tyler Hansbrough’s right leg. Speaking of which, Roy spoke today and Hansbrough had a bone scan which showed the bone was not fractured. That means the injury is a muscle fatigue/inflammation issue which simply needs rest to heal.
From ACC Now:
Defending National Player of the Year Tyler Hansbrough underwent a bone scan today, which revealed that he does not have stress fracture, UNC announced.
The test confirmed he does stress reaction in his right shin — which is a precursor to a stress fracture — and is expected to be until at least mid-November.
“Tyler had some tests today that gave us more information,” UNC coach Roy Williams said in a prepared statement. “There is a great possibility that we will hold Tyler out of practice for the next two weeks, then re-evaluate his condition at that time.
“Of course we are all disappointed for Tyler and our team, but everybody on the roster has a chance to do a little more and play a little better to help make up for the loss of the national player of the year.”
UNC opens the regular season on Nov. 15 against Penn. If Hansbrough does not practice for the next 14 days, it appears unlikely he would play in the game.
Again, this is about where I expected this to end up. The question will be come November 13th or so if the injury has healed and Hansbrough can resume practice. Missing the Penn game would not be a huge deal because I would think UNC could handle matters even without Hansbrough. Of course you can always count on Bobby Frasor to lighten our day with a good ribbing of his housemate:
Asked if Tyler was a fast healer, Frasor said, “Like with all the Chuck Norris stuff, where he’ll maybe cry and heal himself?”
Then he laughed.
“He’ll be fine. He’ll do everything he can possibly do – pills, he’ll talk to [the strength and conditioning coach] about massages, maybe there’s a machine out there he can purchase to make his bone heal fast. So whatever’s out there, he’ll find, and he’ll be back as fast as possible.”
Hopefully we will all be laughing about it a few weeks from now.
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My guess would be that Tyler will make an “appearance” in the Penn game and will be ready to play Kentucky the 18th. I’m sure Roy will hold him back for several weeks in practice. I think the guy has earned the right to play even if he does 50% of the practice workouts.
Thanks for following the Heels and this incident. It’s nice to read something about the Tar Heels without the A-hole comments on some of the other “blogs”
And honestly, it is possible for them to have Hansbrough practice very little and still play in the games. That would save the shin some pounding, the problem with Hansbrough is he never stops working out. Apparently he has reached a point he might need to rein that in a little and do only what is necessary.
This is rival free zone unless said rivals want to say nice things or at least pretend they are intelligent.
ACC now is insane if they think that Tyler won’t play (I’m thinking a Start as well)
As for the rival free Zone that’s why I love it here. I go here (which has the quickest info) and tarheelblue (for the video’s) and espn.
Frankly I would rather have Tyler sit out some of the preseason games than play and have a more serious injury later in the season. I know he won’t let this get in his way and he will rehab as hard as he can. My thoughts and prayers are with him and the team. GO HEELS!
I do hope, for the 1st time in his life, that Tyler worries about his NBA career for a moment. He is more than deserving of that, even though I am still sure that he will go out on the court as prematurely as possible (because of his desire & energy). But it is best for UNC and Tyler if he sat down, took some time off, and worried about his injury than to do what he normally does and that is play regardless of pain & suffering. There’s not much left to prove Tyler, about yourself. We all know who you are, and you would probably play a damn pick-up game today if someone challenged you to on the court. Not breaking a Ford record or a Reddick record by no means says that you are inferior to those guys. You are the best the ACC has ever seen. Sit out, Davis/Thompson/ and Zeller are more than suffice to enable us to win. You just come back for our ACC run, and only if you are 100 percent. Good Luck!!!
I agree with JBowling on the fact that Tyler is the best player in the ACC. But about the pick up game. He wouldn’t play. He would think about his health and the team first. But our other players and amazing freshmen will step up and fil the gap.