Even without reigning player of the year Tyler Hansbrough, top-ranked North Carolina had not problems in beating up on Kentucky. Doing most of his damage inside, Deon Thompson scored 20 points in leading the Tarheels to a 77-58 win.
The big question now is whether Hansbrough will be available to play in the EA Sports Maui Invitational, which tips off a three-day run on Monday at the Lahaina Civic Center.
The answer appears to be a definite maybe that Hansbrough will play Monday against Chaminade and less certain for Friday's tune-up game at UC Santa Barbara.
Hansbrough finally began to practice this week, but was held out of yesterday's game as a precautionary measure. Hansbrough is suffering from a stress reaction on his right shin.
With one big man seemingly on his way back, the Tarheels could have lost another. Freshman 7-footer Tyler Zeller suffered a wrist injury that had coach Roy Williams speaking in pessimistic tones after last night's romp past the Wildcats.
North Carolina also is without its best perimeter defender, Marcus Ginyard, until December because of foot surgery.
But even with such talented players unavailable, North Carolina is living up to its pre-season unanimous ranking as the nation's top team.
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