Hicks out, Pinson returns for No. 8 UNC vs. No. 18 Duke

By AP
Published

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) Eighth-ranked North Carolina won't have forward Isaiah Hicks but will have swingman Theo Pinson back from injury for Thursday night's rivalry game at No. 18 Duke.

The team said on its official Twitter account 90 minutes before tipoff that Hicks would miss the game after straining his left hamstring during practice Wednesday.

Hicks is the Tar Heels' third-leading scorer, averaging 12.8 points, while also grabbing 5.6 rebounds per game.

The announcement on Hicks' status came about three hours after the team said Pinson would return after missing three straight games.

Pinson rolled his right ankle against Virginia Tech on Jan. 26, though he said he was pain-free and was eager to return after Sunday's win against Notre Dame in Greensboro.

The versatile 6-foot-6 junior missed the first 16 games after October surgery for a broken bone in the same foot. He is averaging 6.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists.

The Tar Heels are 6-0 with Pinson in the lineup this season.

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