• Talking Points: The Ginyard Dilemma
CHAPEL HILL — After watching Florida State's Toney Douglas drop 32 points during fifth-ranked North Carolina's down-to-the-wire victory on Wednesday, it's clear the Tar Heels are still missing a perimeter defender.
And it sounds like they won't be getting him back any time soon.
Senior Marcus Ginyard will miss his seventh straight game Saturday, at N.C. State, coach Roy Williams said Friday. And since the wing hasn't returned to practice yet, it seems unlikely he will play against Maryland or Virginia this week.
Ginyard had surgery on his left foot in October, and missed the first 11 games of the season before playing in three.
"He's still having pain, and that's the bottom line,'' Williams said. "We're going to get together hopefully next week and talk to the doctors and see where it stands. He has done a great job; when he came back and started practice, I think he was at 230, and he's 218 now, so I'm hopeful that's helped him a great deal, too."
If Ginyard does not play in another game this season, he could apply for a medical redshirt and a fifth year of eligibility. But Williams indicated they have not ruled out a return this year.
Robbi Pickeral has covered ACC sports for The News & Observer since 2003. She can be reached at 
Comments
Ginyard
Sat, 01/31/2009 - 15:21 — davegleaThey obviously need him to return. Teams have destroyed us on the perimeter this year. The future is now. There is an opportunity to win a National Championship this year. If he becomes healthy, he should play.
Take Time to Heal
Fri, 01/30/2009 - 16:13 — jeromfitzI would just do the medical redshirt and a fifth year of eligibility and hope to become a draft eligibility in next's draft after a strong final season. Injury of any kind has to be analyze by professionals but are you sure to want to step in wrong directions too quickly attempting to play for another chance to help your teammates win a title. I would settle down and walk around another few months until the next season starts. This will help Ginyard to have a strong complete season. Ask Jordan about his injury in the NBA four months sometime isn't enough time to heal. Long as I graduate and go on to graduate school to get a masters. I would play one more year and enjoy basketball as a luxury at UNC.