It what could be a foreshadowing of NCAA tournament's past, Carolina is dealing with another injury during the ACC tournament.
John Henson's wrist injury may not be as serious as Ty Lawson's toe was in 2009, but of course Heels fans would take the result. Lawson's dad famously prescribed Epsom salts for the ankle, a remedy that did not work (and could have cost Carolina the National Championship!).*
What's interesting about last night's win over Maryland was how mature the Heels looked without Henson, the defensive player of the year and a first team all-ACC standout.
The Heels methodically ground down the Terps in a workman like way, distributing the offense and sharing the load defensively. Harrison Barnes was great taking it to rack, and Reggie Bullock had another Bullock game - doing everything and doing it well.
Tyler Zeller was steady if unspectacular as he dealt with lots of defensive attention down low, and James Michael McAdoo continued his upward trajectory with excellent all-around play punctuated with another dunk, this one of his own making as he drove baseline for a freak-nasty finish in the second half.
But as it has been of late, K Butter was once again the story. He got the Heels going early with the pass, and helped finish Maryland late with his offense. I was going to blog 'steadily improving offense' but the time for that participle has passed. Kendall Marshall possesses a legit and effective offensive game. He is no longer Derrick Phelps or King Rice. This guy is becoming more like Raymond Felton and Ty Lawson, a threat to score at anytime.
As good as Marshall has been, the story today will continue to be Henson's wrist. The Heels may not need him today but they would tomorrow - and obviously over the course of the next month. As long as he heels like Lawson did - and as long as Marshall plays like Lawson, too - the Heels will be all right.
Just stay away from the Epsom salts.
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