Staff photo by Robert Willett
North Carolina on Friday night played what could be its best competition at the Smith Center this season: itself.
The “White” team, which included consensus National Player of the Year Tyler Hansbrough and freshman forward Tyler Zeller, edged its “Blue” teammates 48-45. The 20-minute “Late Night with Roy Williams” scrimmage capped off an annual preseason event that included skits by both the men’s and women’s basketball teams, jokes, and memories of years past.
“It wasn’t the best of basketball,’’ said senior Danny Green, who led the Blue team with an unofficial 23 points, “but it was fun."
Official score wasn't kept, but Hansbrough finished with 22 points. Zeller added 12 points and 12 rebounds. Green had 23 points for the blue team.
A BLOODY BEGINNING: If wouldn’t be real competition if there wasn’t a little blood, right? Senior guard Bobby Frasor entered the post-scrimmage press conference with blood on his jersey courtesy of Hansbrough, who is known for his tough play — teammate or no teammate.
“I got elbowed by my roomates, Tyler Hansbrough,’’ Frasor said, half-smiling. “It’s one of the first times I’ve been in the lane for a free throw, and I tried to spin off of him, and he swings his arm out, and catches me right in the nose. So it wasn’t really nice of him.”
Hansbrough also finished the game with a band-aid on the top of his right hand after he scratched it.
BRIEFLY: Marcus Ginyard, who took the microphone and reminded everyone to vote, used a motorized wheelchair and crutches for the event after having surgery on his left foot earlier this month. Forward Michael Copeland also didn’t participate in the scrimmage; he is still rehabilitating from an offseason ligament tear in his right knee. Both are expected back in December.
Robbi Pickeral has covered ACC sports for The News & Observer since 2003. She can be reached at 
Comments
UNC vs UNC
Sat, 10/25/2008 - 09:41 — gvillegatrI just hope the football team isnt paying much attention right now.
Well, it's starting.
Sat, 10/25/2008 - 08:38 — UNCAlumnusI fully expect a very successful season for this team. I don't know exactly what that means, but it should include at least one trophy. Hope springs eternal for every team in October. January and February tell the tale. UNC is the cream, and it will rise to the top.