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NCAA Tournament: Update on Joel Berry’s ankle for Sweet 16

By Zack Pearson

Mar 23, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Joel Berry II (2) speaks during a press conference the day before the South Regional semifinals of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Joel Berry II (2) speaks during a press conference the day before the South Regional semifinals of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /
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Point guard Joel Berry provides an update on his injured ankle after Thursday’s practice in Memphis

The North Carolina Tar Heels survived a scare on Sunday, managing to come back and beat Arkansas to save their season.

It also booked them a trip to the Sweet 16.

While UNC didn’t play their best game all-around, point guard Joel Berry II struggled again in the game. Berry has shot a combined 3-for-21 in the Tar Heels two NCAA Tournament games, scoring just 13 total points.

Part of the reason why he struggled might be due to his ankle injury.

Berry rolled his ankle in the second half of the first round win over Texas Southern last Friday. He came back to play in the game but he didn’t look comfortable.

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During Thursday’s media session in Memphis, Berry insisted everything was fine.

“We had practice already, and I went through the whole practice,” Berry said via Carolina Blue. “It feels pretty good. I mean, I’m almost close to 100 percent. Just still a little bruising there, but that’s the only thing that’s bothering me.”

That’s a little more reassuring, as Berry was questionable to play for the Tar Heels leading up to last Sunday’s game.

It’s not a stretch to say that the ankle has been bothering Berry as he’s in arguably the worst two-game stretch of his season.

The Tar Heels will face a tough Butler team that shouldn’t be taken lightly on Friday, so they will need Berry to be on his A game.

UNC loves to get out and run on the fast break and without a healthy Berry, that might be tough to do against Butler.

Berry himself says he wants to get as close to 100 percent as possible and that the ankle is not preventing him from jumping  or moving.

There’s still a little pain in the ankle with the bruise, but it’s nothing that will keep Berry out of Friday’s game.

Tipoff is set for 7:07 p.m. ET and the game will be broadcasted live on CBS. The winner will advance to Sunday’s Elite 8 game against the winner of Kentucky and UCLA, who will tipoff shortly after the Tar Heels and Bulldogs game is done.

Next: Best UNC Sweet 16 teams without a championship

Check back with Keeping It Heel for complete postgame coverage.

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