Ty Lawson is ready to play in NCAA Tournament
North Carolina junior Ty Lawson wears a boot to help protect his injured toe at the 2009 ACC Tournament in Atlanta.
Mar 16, 2009
Tags: ACC
The latest word on Ty Lawson's status is that he will play Thursday when the North Carolina Tar Heels take on 16 seeded Radford in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in Greensboro. Lawson missed both ACC Tournament games this weekend with an injured big right toe.
North Carolina hoops insider Adam Lucas of Tar Heel Monthly and the Tar Heel Sports Network joined the Triangle Bracket Special on 99.9 The Fan on Sunday night and was optimistic that Lawson will play every game in this upcoming tournament.
"That is what he said yesterday," Lucas said. "In all honesty if yesterday (Saturday semi-final vs. Florida State) had been an NCAA Tournament game I think he would have played."
Lawson actually trotted out on the court before the Tar Heels semi-final game against Florida State with shoes on both feet.
Ty Lawson was named the ACC Player of the Year just a week ago and according to Lucas, all of North Carolina's tournament success could come down to the health of one toe. Lucas said the Heels could not make the six-game run through the tournament if Lawson has to miss more time.
"If he misses the national championship game then 'no'. If he misses the regional semi-finals or regional finals then 'no'," Lucas said. "They might be able to get past this weekend but it would be tough, I mean you're playing good teams now."
