CHAPEL HILL — North Carolina forward Tyler Hansbrough is "extremely doubtful" to play in Saturday's season opener against Penn, coach Roy Williams said today in a prepared statement.
“We’ve made the decision to hold Tyler Hansbrough out of action a little longer,” Williams said in the statement. “It’s extremely doubtful that he would play against Pennsylvania, and I emphasize extremely doubtful. We will continue to evaluate him and have more information when it becomes available.”
Hansbrough has been sidelined since the last week of October with a stress reaction — which is a precursor to a stress fracture — in his right shin.
The senior has played all 108 games the Tar Heels have played in over the previous three seasons, and is 123 points away from breaking Phil Ford's school scoring record.
Freshman Tyler Zeller started in place of the reigning National Player of the Year during top-ranked UNC's exhibition win over UNC Pembroke last Saturday.
Robbi Pickeral has covered ACC sports for The News & Observer since 2003. She can be reached at 
