
APCarolina’s talent and speed eventually wore down Santa Barbara.
“Coach told us to come out and run plays,” Lawson said. “We were missing some shots. We’re probably 70 percent of where we can be.”
Hansbrough’s return came just in time for Carolina, which plays four straight road games before returning home on Nov. 30.
“It meant a lot,” Lawson said about having Hansbrough back. “Guarding the post and rebounding and scoring, he does everything.”
Freshman 7-footer Tyler Zeller is likely out for the rest of the season with a broken left wrist he suffered late in Tuesday’s win against Kentucky. Zeller started the first two games in place of Hansbrough. Top defender Marcus Ginyard is out until December after having foot surgery.
After the game, the Tar Heels headed to Hawaii for the Maui Invitational, where they’ll play Chaminade on Monday.
Roy Williams said he didn’t know if he would play Hansbrough three days in a row in the tournament.
“He turned it over a couple of times. It’s going to take him a little while. He’s human,” the coach said.
Santa Barbara’s rabid students were warned by the public address announcer before tip-off to keep their chants clean. They shouted expletives at Hansbrough as he warmed up and then did so again during a timeout in the second half. One of the referees heard them and yelled, ’No,” at the students, who quieted down.
Arc's five up, five down: After No. 11 Michigan State's 58-48 upset of No. 3 Ohio State, you'd be a fool to discount the Spartans' national title chances now.
Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 15 points and Evan Smotrycz added 13, helping No. 22 Michigan remain unbeaten at home with a 70-61 win over Illinois on Sunday.
Slideshow |
College hoops power rankings A look at the top teams in college basketball based on performance and potential. NBCSports.com |
Latest from Beyond the Arc |
Five up, five down from college hoops’ huge day15 hr 50 min ago Michigan State sure shook up Big Ten by beating Buckeyes16 hr 35 min ago UNLV’s thrilling win vs. SDSU adds spice to MWC race21 hr 3 min ago |
College basketball videos |
Highlights: No. 14 UNLV 65, No. 13 SDSU 63 Mike Moser scored 19 points, and UNLV forced three turnovers in the final 42 seconds to win. |
Slideshow |
NBCSports.com |
Slideshow |
The Week in Sports Pictures The Giants on top of the football world, getting ready for the London Olympics and more. more photos |
Ask the college basketball expert |