With Caleb Wilson already ruled out due to his fractured left hand, UNC's front court was already set to be short-handed.
Add the injuries to James Brown and Ivan Matlekovic, the Tar Heels essentially were heading into Saturday's game with three healthy big men: Henri Veesaar, Zayden High and Jarin Stevenson.
Well, subtract Henri Veesaar off that list, as the junior big man will be sidelined due to illness/injury.
Henri Veesaar ruled out against Pittsburgh
Veesaar has been dealing with a lower-body injury (one that appears to be something with regard to his left leg/achilles). However, UNC officials were reporting that an illness, one that Veesaar has been dealing with since the team returned home from Miami, is the reason his status for Saturday afternoon was in question.
The Tar Heels' second leading scorer did try to give it a go in pregame warmups, joining the team late as they prepared for the upcoming game against the Panthers. However, after a few minutes going through stretches on the side, Veesaar was seated on the baseline with other Tar Heels and did not join the team when they returned to the court before the team's final pregame tune up before tip-off.
Another big blow for the Tar Heels
North Carolina will be without not only its two leading scorers, but its leading rebounders as well.
For a team that has struggled on the glass, this is not good at all, given the Tar Heels will be extremely short-handed in the post. They will need the likes of Jarin Stevenson and Zayden High to step up to lead the charge on the glass, as that "next man up" mentality needs to hold true on Saturday afternoon.
Wilson and Veesaar have carried the load all season long. Who will step up to help the Tar Heels secure a victory in their absence?