updated 9:39 p.m. ET March 2, 2005

ASHEVILLE, N.C. - The mother of North Carolina guard Rashad McCants believes the intestinal illness that has sidelined her son for two games is a result of stress caused by her battle with breast cancer.

Brenda Muckelvene, 50, was diagnosed with cancer in December. She has had two surgeries since then to remove the cancer; she said her doctors told her recently that the disease has not spread.

McCants is averaging nearly 16 points a game for the second-ranked Tar Heels. He began having intestinal problems about a month after his mother’s diagnosis.

“Oh, absolutely, they are related,” Muckelvene told the Citizen-Times of Asheville. “I watch the games and hear commentators say how he’s not hustling enough or wonder why he’s not playing. But you don’t always know what is going on in a person’s life.

“He was on a roll until I was diagnosed. You know how kids are. They think cancer means death, when it really doesn’t at all.”

Muckelvene said Tuesday she planned to travel to Chapel Hill on Wednesday to spend time with her son and cook for him.

McCants’ status for Thursday’s home game against Florida State remains uncertain.

Muckelvene’s daughter, Rashanda McCants, is a prep All-America at Asheville High School who plans to play at North Carolina next season.

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Mark J. Terrill / AP

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