CHAPEL HILL, N.C. ? Tyler Hansbrough emerged from the tunnel to loud cheers from the Smith Center crowd. Yet as his North Carolina teammates warmed up for their exhibition game Saturday, the reigning national player of the year plopped down on the bench to stay.
Nursing an injured right shin that has kept him out of practice for nearly two weeks, Hansbrough missed his first game – regular season or otherwise – since arriving in Chapel Hill three years ago. The nation’s top-ranked team finished with an easy 102-62 victory against North Carolina-Pembroke.
Coach Roy Williams said Hansbrough likely would be re-evaluated Tuesday, which would mark two weeks that he’s been out of practice.