Today’s matchup between Louisville and North Carolina could end up being pretty different than the other two when it comes to who is on the court. It’s only two guys, but two very important guys that played in the other two games that will not play today. For Louisville, it’s Chris Jones. For North Carolina, they could be without sophomore big man Kennedy Meeks due to flu-like symptoms.
From UNC’s scout site:
“I don’t expect him to play,” UNC head coach Roy Williams told reporters following the game. “He hasn’t practiced. He hasn’t run up and down the court since the Duke game, not one single time, so I really don’t expect him to play.”
Meeks was tested for mono and strep throat earlier in the week and those results came back negative. Williams said that Meeks had more lab work done on Wednesday morning, but that the results were not available prior to tip-off.
In the two games against the Cards, Meeks has averaged 11 points and 5 rebounds in almost 30 minutes per game. On the season he is averaging 12 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. He is 6’9 and 280 lbs and can really give the Cards fits down low with that kind of size.
Against Boston College yesterday, Joel James started in his place and had 6 points and 3 rebounds in only 15 minutes.
Without Meeks down low, the Cards will probably look to attack the lane and also let Montrezl Harrell go to work down there. They have to take advantage of that situation.
