UNC Players Discuss Theo Pinson’s Injury at ACC Media Day

Since learning last week of the broken right foot that has junior guard Theo Pinson out indefinitely, the UNC men’s basketball team has had to adjust on the fly without one of its expected starters.

At ACC Media Day on Wednesday, a couple of Pinson’s teammates shared their thoughts on the effect the injury has had in the locker room.

Gathered in Charlotte to face a large crowd of cameras and reporters, junior point guard Joel Berry and senior forward Isaiah Hicks answered many of the same questions they were asked just two weeks ago at the team’s own media day.

Questions about leadership, expectations and the absence of Brice Johnson and Marcus Paige dominated the discussion once again.

This time, though, the answers were quite a bit different—due to the fact that Pinson has been such a big part of this Tar Heel team both on and off the court.

Speaking about Pinson on Wednesday—a former McDonald’s All-American who has gained the fans’ love during his first two years by crashing press conferences and dancing on the sidelines—Berry couldn’t help but be upset that his classmate may be robbed of the opportunity to have a breakout year this season.

“A lot of people see Theo in the social media and in the press conferences and stuff,” Berry said. “He’s an outgoing guy, but I don’t think everyone has gotten a chance to see him as a player.

“I know what Theo can do, and it just sucks because we were expecting a lot from him this year.

Although Pinson has never averaged more than five points per game during his time at UNC, much of that has to do with his role on the team—not to mention when he broke his left foot as a freshman.

With Johnson and Paige’s big-time production no longer a part of the mix, someone was due to step up. Many expected that to be Pinson.

A timetable still has not been set for his return, but should Pinson be able to come back by the time conference play gets underway, Berry feels he’ll still have that chance.

“With Marcus and Brice leaving, we needed someone to step up into that starting role,” Berry said. “He was gonna have a great year, but to see that happen to him makes us sad. I know that when he comes back, he’ll be good.”

From a leadership standpoint, Pinson’s outgoing personality seemed to be a perfect fit for this team.

Head coach Roy Williams said Wednesday he may look to senior Nate Britt to handle more of that load early on, but said he’d also need Pinson and the juniors to be more active leaders as well.

This, he said, was because of his other two seniors that will see significant minutes, Kennedy Meeks talks too much and Isaiah Hicks doesn’t talk enough.

Hicks did take the time, however, to tell reporters that even though Pinson isn’t able to play right now, his impact is still being felt.

“Just because he’s not practicing or anything, he’s still there in spirit,” Hicks said. “He’s still there in practice. We still hear his voice.

“His energy out on the court won’t be there, but his spirit will be there and him talking to us on the sidelines will still be there.”