The North Carolina Tar Heels are once again ranked among college basketball’s elite teams as the new season tips-off, but two of their best players may be out for the foreseeable future. Guards P.J. Hairston and Leslie McDonald did not play in the team’s season opener vs. Oakland as they continue to have their eligibility evaluated by the NCAA, according to the Sporting News:
"The school hasn’t specified McDonald’s issue, though UNC had to send a letter this summer ordering a company that makes designer mouth guards to stop using McDonald on a website promoting its brand.McDonald had made at least one social media post last year about wearing one of the company’s mouth guards. NCAA rules generally prohibit athletes from endorsing or promoting a company or product."
It appears as though his suspension may end up being for the entire season, according to Mark Seidel of TarHeelsIllustrated: