WRAL Sports Fan

North Carolina

Lawson out for Carolina's semifinal game against FSU

By Jake Lloyd

Mar 14, 2009

North Carolina's Ty Lawson won't play today against Florida State, UNC spokesman Steve Kirschner said.

The point guard will miss his second consecutive game for the No. 1 Tar Heels (28-3), who will take on the No. 18-ranked Seminoles (24-8) at 1:30 p.m. in the ACC Tournament's first semifinal. Duke and Maryland will follow at approximately 4 p.m. in the second semifinal.

Lawson injured his right big toe during practice two days before North Carolina's 79-71 win over Duke to end the regular season. He played in that game, but the toe swelled up afterward and hasn't improved much since.

On Tuesday, Lawson was named the ACC player of the year. He's averaged 15.9 points, 6.3 assists and 1.9 steals per game this season.

The Tar Heels defeated Virginia Tech 79-76 in the quarterfinals Friday without Lawson — the first time they played without their starting point guard.