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Bobby Frasor, Jackie Manuel join North Carolina basketball staff

Bobby Frasor and Jackie Manuel both were part of national championship teams during their years at North Carolina. Now they’ll be helping the Tar Heels in a different capacity.

Frasor and Manuel, both former Carolina guards, have joined the UNC basketball staff, the university announced on Friday. Frasor, a member of North Carolina’s 2009 national championship team, will serve as the Tar Heels’ assistant video coordinator. Manuel, a member of the Heels’ 2005 title team, will be the team’s assistant strength and conditioning coordinator.

Both of the jobs are temporary and will last six months, ending May 15, 2012.

“These are two outstanding young men who have decided to end their competitive playing careers and are looking to get into basketball from a non-playing perspective,” UNC coach Roy Williams said in a statement. “I think this will be a great opportunity for them to focus on what it takes to run a program.

“They’ll set good examples for our current players because they know what it takes to win at a high level.”

Psycho T will have company in NYC

North Carolina forward Tyler Hansbrough, who could be taken as early as 11th in the NBA draft Thursday night, said he debated whether to accept the invitation to sit in the Green Room at Madison Square Garden.

"But it's always been a dream of mine to be there and shake Mr. Stern's hand,” Hansbrough said during a phone interview Tuesday.

Frasor boosts Heels on boards

DETROIT — Before Saturday's game, coach Roy Williams showed North Carolina tape of an incredible, diving hustle play on a loose ball made by Villanova forward Dwayne Anderson against UCLA.

Williams told the Tar Heels that they needed to make those kind of plays to win in the Final Four. The unlikely source of some of those plays in an 83-69 NCAA semifinal defeat of Villanova on Saturday night was senior guard Bobby Frasor.

Frasor starting for Heels

GREENSBORO — Senior Bobby Frasor, who started both ACC tournament games in Ty Lawson's place, is staring UNC's first round game against Radford.

Lawson, who is in uniform and went through some light shooting drills during warmups, has been sidelined with a jammed right big toe since March 8, when he played 36 minutes against Duke. The injury occurred on March 6.

Asked if Lawson was definitely out for the game, a team spokesman said at the 16-minute timeout in the first half: "It's not 100 percent, same as yesterday."

Look for past, future in UNC lineup

ATLANTA — There's no doubt North Carolina will miss ACC Player of the Year Ty Lawson if he has to sit out today's quarterfinal match-up with Florida State.

But it could also give Tar Heel fans an opportunity to appreciate its past, and anticipate its future.

The past is senior Bobby Frasor, the oft-injured shooting guard who started his career as UNC's ballhandler. As a freshman in 2005-06, he surprised many with his steady stats (6.4 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 136 assists), and didn't give up his starting job for good until he had to sit out with a foot injury his sophomore season.

UNC notes: Gary has Roy's number, again

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Maryland coach Gary Williams recorded his 19th victory over a top-5 opponent via Saturday’s 88-85 overtime victory against No. 3 UNC.

Five have come against Roy Williams — two at Kansas, three at North Carolina. According to Patrick Stevens’ Washington Times blog, that means Ol’ Roy has almost caught Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, who has lost to Gary-coached Maryland when the Blue Devils were ranked in the top 5.

More notes:

UNC notes: A sweaty victory

DURHAM — It wasn’t surprising how many times the players slipped during North Carolina's 101-87 victory over Duke on Wednesday night, considering how hot it was at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The balmy daytime temperatures, combined with the tight confines and yelling fans led to some wet conditions on the court.

"We could wring our jerseys out … there was so much water," said reserve guard Bobby Frasor, whose team has now won eight straight games. "It was hot and balmy, but a fun place to play."

How will Hansbrough set the mark?

CHAPEL HILL — There's little doubt that North Carolina big man Tyler Hansbrough will set the school record for career points Thursday night. After all, he needs only nine to pass Phil Ford, currently atop the list at 2,290, and the senior has only posted six single-digit games in his career.

But how will he do it?

Shooting guard Wayne Ellington figures it will occur on a layup. Forward Danny Green predicts a three-point play.

UNC's Frasor finally hits one

LAHAINA, Hawaii — North Carolina coach Roy Williams praised guard Bobby Frasor's defense after the Tar Heels blew out Chaminade on Monday night.

But one of the loudest roars of the first-round Maui Invitational came because of the his offense.

With 6:28 left, Frasor — who was 2-for-18 shooting this season at that point — finally swished a three-pointer.

UNC pre-game observations: Tyler, fish and floppy hats

LAHAINA, Hawaii — Thoughts on the Maui Invitational, hours before UNC's opening game:

• If Tyler Hansbrough doesn't play against Chaminade tonight (this afternoon here), and he probably won't, it's not because of his "tweaked" ankle, sustained in yesterday's practice.

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