WRAL Sports Fan

North Carolina

UNC's Hansbrough will play against N.C. State; Zeller may, too

By Ryan Craig

Feb 17, 2009

Chapel Hill, N.C. — North Carolina center Tyler Zeller may play Wednesday night against N.C. State and senior Tyler Hansbrough is expected to play, too, despite suffering a mild concussion in the win at Miami.

Zeller, a 7-foot freshman, has not played since suffering a broken hand early in the season. The decision to play him would mean he could not redshirt this year and this season would count as one of his four years of eligibility.

"He would really like to help the team," UNC coach Roy Williams said. "He thought it would benefit him in the long run. He probably will play [against State]."

Hansbrough did not practice Monday, Williams said, and would be held out of contact drills on Tuesday. The senior experienced blurred vision and a headache during the team's last game in Coral Gables after taking several shots to the head.

"If he had a concussion - it was of the mildest form," Williams said. "He got checked by UNC doctors today."