The UNC men’s basketball game against Syracuse could mark two major returns.

Carolina will enter a hostile environment on Saturday when the Tar Heels travel to Syracuse to take on the Orange. The game will mark the return of Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim following a suspension.

But Carolina may be welcoming back Kennedy Meeks as well. UNC head coach Roy Williams said that Meeks would practice fully on Friday and, if the junior was able to make it through practice without any setbacks, he would play Saturday.

“If a guy’s poor play takes him out of the lineup, then he doesn’t deserve anything,” Williams said. “But if an injury takes him out of the lineup, I think you’ve got to give him a fair chance to get his spot back.”

How much Meeks may play remains to be seen.

“If it’s the Kennedy that played against Louisville in Mohegan Sun or against Michigan State at Michigan State, then he’s going to play a lot,” Williams said. “If it’s the Kennedy that plays like Brice (Johnson) did against Clemson, then he ain’t going to play very much.”

Williams said that he does not anticipate the potential return of Meeks do diminish the amount that the Tar Heel roll out a smaller lineup to create matchup problems. But he says the wing players will have to rebound better to play that lineup more.

“I like it a lot better in certain ways,” Williams said of the smaller lineup, “but you’ve still got to rebound that basketball.

“It’s alright for people to disagree, but I think rebounding is the most important part of the game.”

Williams added that he will be happy to get a full healthy lineup back on the floor.

“People said, ‘boy that’ll help those other guys with Marcus being out,’ and I said, ‘I’d rather have Marcus,” Williams remembered. “And they said, ‘well, it’ll help out those other guys when Kennedy is out,’ and I said, ‘well, I’d rather have Kennedy.’

“I think you’d rather have your whole team. So you can play, and you go through good times and bad times, the adversity, the good play and see what different changes you have to make.”

The full UNC team could play together for the first time since Meeks left the lineup in mid-December.

Tipoff for Carolina and Syracuse is set for eight o’clock Saturday night. WCHL’s coverage will begin at 6:30.

Related Stories
‹
UNC Community Pledging Support to Sutton's Drug Store Amid COVID-19 Challenges
Members of the UNC community voiced concerned and then pledged financial support to a Chapel Hill staple this week. The News & Observer published a profile about Sutton’s Drug Store, the longtime grill and pharmacy on Franklin Street, on Monday. In it, owner Don Pinney shared the challenges the 97 year-old business faces amid the ongoing […]
One Week: Exploring Our 'Hometowns'
Exploring our ‘hometowns’ is an activity that has been continually present in my life thus far. As a 16-year-old, I have accumulated a sense of the culture of our hometown communities as well as what they have to offer; to enumerate: where to grab a bite to eat, fun activities, places to shop and must-see […]
Jalek Felton Withdraws from UNC
Jalek Felton has withdrawn from UNC. The university suspended the freshman in January for unspecified reasons. His attorney confirmed his decision on Twitter earlier this afternoon.
Felton's Status Uncertain Amid Suspension Heading Into Duke Matchup
It has been a little more than a week since freshman guard Jalek Felton was suspended by UNC but few details have emerged over that stretch as the Tar Heels are preparing to take on Duke in Chapel Hill on Thursday. “You know everything I know,” head coach Roy Williams said at a Tuesday press […]
Durham Attorney Representing Suspended UNC Guard Jalek Felton
Durham-based attorney Kerry Sutton is representing UNC freshman guard Jalek Felton after he was suspended from the university on Tuesday. Few details are known about Felton’s suspension. Sutton’s law firm – Sutton & Lindsay – “provides aggressive legal representation in resolving criminal charges, professional license and ethics issues, and civil matters,” according to its website. […]
Chansky's Notebook: Unheralded Pack Better
How did N.C. State beat Carolina Saturday? Here’s how. Ten minutes into the Wolfpack’s visit to the Smith Center, I turned to a friend sitting next to me and said, “OMG, State is better than we are.” Man for man, despite the publicity UNC basketball gets due to its legendary status, State was better. Playing […]
Frustrated Berry Injured After Losing Video Game
North Carolina guard Joel Berry II is competitive at all things — including video games. Apparently to a fault. Tar Heels coach Roy Williams said Wednesday at ACC media day that Berry broke a bone in his right hand after losing a video game to teammate Theo Pinson and a team manager when he punched […]
Pitt Releases Johnson to Play at UNC as Graduate Transfer
Pittsburgh has released guard Cameron Johnson to play immediately at North Carolina as a graduate transfer. Johnson’s father, former Pitt player Gil Johnson, said the school notified the family Thursday that it has removed any restrictions for his son to play next year for the reigning national Tar Heels. Pittsburgh had cited an internal policy […]
UNC Hosting Michigan in ACC-Big Ten Challenge
It will be a championship rematch from decades ago as the defending national champion UNC basketball team will host Michigan as part of the 2017 ACC-Big Ten Challenge next season. The upcoming matchups were announced on Thursday. This will be the first time the Tar Heels and Wolverines have played since the 1993 national championship […]
Chansky's Notebook: Sue The Bastards!
Cameron Johnson should sue Pitt for his unconditional release.
›