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NCAA Tournament: UNC’s Joel Berry ‘questionable’ against Arkansas

By Zack Pearson

Mar 17, 2017; Greenville, SC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Joel Berry II (2) during the first half against the Texas Southern Tigers in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2017; Greenville, SC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Joel Berry II (2) during the first half against the Texas Southern Tigers in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Point guard Joel Berry is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Arkansas Razorbacks

The North Carolina Tar Heels could be without point guard Joel Berry II on Sunday when they take on Arkansas in the NCAA Tournament.

It might be a precautionary move, but the Tar Heels have listed the point guard as questionable.

Head coach Roy Williams told the media that he’s “hopeful” Berry can play on Sunday with a trip to the Sweet 16 on the line.

“We have no idea what his ankle’s going to be like in another 30 hours or whatever it is,” Williams said. “He’s not going to practice today. He’s been getting treatment. I’m hopeful that he will play. But we’re just going to wait and see.

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The point guard landed awkwardly on his ankle following a three-point attempt in the second half of UNC’s win over Texas Southern on Friday. He briefly left the game and went to the locker room for treatment.

Berry returned to the game and played three minutes. Williams told the media that he inserted Berry back in to give him some confidence.

Many UNC fans had flashbacks to the 2012 NCAA Tournament when then point guard Kendall Marshall suffered a broken wrist against Creighton.

The Tar Heels would go on to lose in the Elite 8 to Kansas with Stilman White assuming the starting role.

As for Saturday’s practice, Berry sat out as the team ran drills.

Berry told the media that his ankle is about 75-80 percent right now and it was sore when he woke up this morning.

If Berry cannot go, senior point guard Nate Britt would get the start. But it would be a bit of a drop off for the Tar Heels offense.

Berry missed over 10 minutes of the second half in a ACC Tournament loss to Duke and the offense stalled with their leader on the bench.

Related Story: Previewing UNC vs. Arkansas

The junior point guard averages 14.5 points and 3.7 assists per game for the Tar Heels.

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