North Carolina’s biggest early-season injury question is centered on Matt Able, and the Tar Heels are still waiting on a clear answer.
Able sat out the exhibition game against Charlotte, but there has not been any report on what happened. North Carolina is set to play Western Carolina on Monday night, and while the Tar Heels should be in position to handle that game regardless, the health of key players is already part of the conversation.
Rodd Baxley, who was at the game, said the injury did not appear obvious. He also noted that Able was on the sidelines during UNC’s warmups and that it did not seem to be a major issue.
“Able, an N.C. State transfer, is one of 11 newcomers on coach Michael Malone's first roster in Chapel Hill. The 6-foot-5, 200-pound guard is a starter in the backcourt alongside Virginia Tech transfer Neo Avdalas and Utah transfer Terrence Brown…
“Able's injury doesn't look noticeable. He was on the sidelines during UNC's warmups ahead of the game.
Still, it's another missed opportunity for Able to get game action with a revamped roster and a backcourt that includes Utah transfer Terrence Brown, along with Virginia Tech transfer Neo Avdalas. Isaiah Denis missed the Indiana exhibition game with a minor injury,” Baxley wrote.
Able arrived after withdrawing from the NBA draft last year and is expected to be one of the ACC’s better players this season. At NC State, he put together a solid freshman campaign, averaging 8.8 points and 3.4 rebounds while hitting 35.5% of his three-pointers on 4.1 attempts per game.
There are still parts of his game that need work, including his passing, but the ceiling is clear. North Carolina is counting on him to become the player people believe he can be.
For now, the hope is that this is only a minor issue and that he is back soon. If he needs to miss a little time, that may be manageable.
But if he is absent much longer, especially early in the season, it becomes a bigger concern for a UNC team that is still sorting through a roster full of new faces and a different system. One of the last things the program needs is one of its best players stuck on the sideline.
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UNC helped itself with Henrys final official visit, which included a call from Michael Jordan, and the Tar Heels are now viewed as a leading candidate in the race. Recent reports and predictions have leaned toward Chapel Hill, adding even more intrigue to a recruitment that has already become one fans will be watching closely as the clock ticks toward his announcement. [Read more 🡒]
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The buzz around UNC only grew when Michael Jordan personally called Henry as part of the programs push. Now the spotlight shifts to Friday, when Henry is expected to reveal his decision on ESPNs NBA Today at 3 p.m. ET, setting up a high-profile finish to a recruitment that could reshape the Tar Heels future plans. [Read more 🡒]