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UNC Basketball: Rechon “Leaky” Black set to return for NCAA Tournament?

By Zack Pearson

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 19: Leaky Black #1 of the North Carolina Tar Heels battles Keith Braxton #13 of the St. Francis Red Flash for a rebound during the second half of their game at the Dean Smith Center on November 19, 2018 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 101-76. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 19: Leaky Black #1 of the North Carolina Tar Heels battles Keith Braxton #13 of the St. Francis Red Flash for a rebound during the second half of their game at the Dean Smith Center on November 19, 2018 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 101-76. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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The UNC Basketball program should get Rechon “Leaky” Black back from injury when they begin the NCAA Tournament this week

The North Carolina Tar Heels fate was revealed on Sunday afternoon when the NCAA Tournament field of 68 was revealed. UNC was one of three Atlantic Coast Conference teams to earn a No. 1 seed and they were placed in what looks like a tough Midwest Region.

For UNC, it’s a record 17th time they have been a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and the last time they were they cut down the nets beating Gonzaga back in 2017.

Despite losing to Duke in the semifinals of the ACC Championship Game, UNC is playing some of the best basketball of the season going into this tournament. Following a loss to Louisville at home in January, UNC won 16 of their next 17 games including sweeping the regular season series against Duke.

While doing so, UNC wasn’t at full strength either.

The Tar Heels have been without key reserves Sterling Manley and Rechon “Leaky” Black for most of that stretch. Manley returned a few weeks ago but has played sparingly.

For Black, he was dressed for Thursday and Friday’s games vs. Louisville and Duke but didn’t see any action. That sounds like it’s a bout to change.

Greg Barnes of Inside Carolina wrote on Black’s injury and that he has been cleared to play, despite not seeing any action in the ACC Tournament. But now it appears as if we will see Black in action in the NCAA Tournament and he will likely be playing hurt.

Here’s what he told Barnes:

"“It’s been the toughest process of my life, honestly, with not really turning that corner to get my ankle back the way it should be,” Black said in Charlotte. “It’s a high ankle sprain, lasting this long, not going away.”"

If Black does return for the NCAA Tournament, don’t expect any extended minutes. The Tar Heels do have a rotation that Roy Williams is using and adding to that is no easy task.

Roy is comfortable with the guys he has going but it doesn’t mean Black won’t see any time at all.

The best chance for Black to see minutes could come Friday night when UNC takes on Iona in the first round of the tournament. If UNC gets ahead big early on, we could see Black on the court in the second half.

Being at full strength for the tournament should help but it’s going to depend on how much both Black and Manley are able to play.

Next. 5 reasons why UNC can win it all. dark

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