UNC basketball player Theo Pinson will miss an unknown amount of time with a fractured foot.
Theo Pinson looked to be one of North Carolina’s top players for the 2016-17 season. He’s coming off limited playing time last year, averaging just 4.5 points per game in just under 19 minutes. However, with roster turnover due to graduation and the NBA Draft, the junior could have had a bigger role off the bat.
The Tar Heels will be without Pinson for an unknown amount of time, though, according to Scout.com. He’s out indefinitely with a fractured fifth metatarsal in his right foot. The injury happened in practice earlier in the week.
Pinson wouldn’t have been a stat-stuffer for UNC, but he provides intangibles elsewhere. He’s a super-athletic wing and arguably their best defender. If this keeps him out the rest of 2016, then they’ll be limited against the likes of Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee who are difficult non-conference threats. It would require younger players Seventh Woods and Kenny Williams to step up and take on critical minutes earlier in their college careers.
Losing Pinson may also take the Tar Heels out of the top-10 to start the upcoming season. They probably won’t fall out of the upcoming poll, but could with early losses. This would allow arch-rival Duke to potentially lead the ACC early on, but even they are dealing with injuries. The highly-regarded Harry Giles recently underwent knee surgery and will be out to start the season.
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As for UNC, they’ll be led by players like Joel Berry II and Justin Jackson in the 2016-17 season. These two and others will have to make up for the loss of Brice Johnson and Marcus Paige, both of whom went to the NBA. Freshman big man Tony Bradley could play a role as well. They’ll need to cope with the loss of Theo Pinson early on before potentially getting him back later in the season.