NCAA Tournament 2012, North Carolina Vs. Kansas: Opposition March Madness Fans Talk, Don't Kill Each Other

Printable NCAA Bracket 2012: Eight Teams Are Left, But Soon There Will Be Just Four

Eight teams remain in the 2012 NCAA Tournament, and this time they might even live up to the "Elite Eight" label, as many of the top seeds are still standing. One thing is for sure, the quartet of teams remaining after this weekend will meet the easier standard set by the "Final Four" label. If you can't quite remember which squads I'm talking about, the entire tournament landscape is reflected in SB Nation's updated printable 2012 NCAA Tournament bracket (PDF).

On Saturday two Final Four spots will be filled, as the No. 7 Florida Gators take on the No. 4 Louisville Cardinals in the West Region, and the No. 2 Ohio St. Buckeyes face the No. 1 Syracuse Orange in the East Region. Then on Sunday, the No. 1 Kentucky Wildcats play the No. 3 Baylor Bears in the South Region, and the No.1 North Carolina Tar Heels tip off against the No. 2 Kansas Jayhawks in the Midwest Region. If you need another shot at a perfect bracket, why not start from the Elite Eight and see if you can do it from there?

For more on the 2012 NCAA Tournament bracket, poke around SB Nation's NCAA Tournament hub for tons of analysis who will make it all the way to New Orleans and the Final Four.

NCAA Bracket 2012 And Schedule: Elite Eight Games Begin On Saturday

The 2012 NCAA Tournament is down to the No. 1 Syracuse Orange, No. 1 Kentucky Wildcats, No.1 North Carolina Tar Heels, No. 2 Kansas Jayhawks, No. 2 Ohio St. Buckeyes, No. 3 Baylor Bears, No. 4 Louisville Cardinals and No. 7 Florida Gators. Each team has a shot at the Final Four, and for a look at their journey so far, check out the entire tournament landscape is reflected in our updated printable 2012 NCAA Tournament bracket (PDF).

The first two teams to land in the Final Four will come from the East and West Regionals. In the first game of the day, the No. 7 Florida Gators take on the No. 4 Louisville Cardinals out west. The second matchup pits the No. 2 Ohio St. Buckeyes against the top-seeded Syracuse Orange in the east.

Here is a look at today's schedule:

Saturday, March 23

West Region

No. 7 Florida Gators vs. No. 4 Louisville Cardinals, 3:30 p.m. CT, CBS

Announcers: Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller, and Len Elmore

East Region

No. 2 Ohio St. Buckeyes vs. No. 1 Syracuse Orange , 6:05 p.m. CT, CBS
Announcers: Verne Lundquist and Bill Raftery

For more on the 2012 NCAA Tournament bracket, stick around SB Nation's NCAA Tournament hub. There you'll find a complete printable NCAA Tournament bracket and tons of analysis on who was snubbed, who got the best bracket and who will make it all the way to New Orleans and the Final Four.

Kansas Vs. North Carolina State Recap: Jayhawks Squeak By Wolfpack To Advance

For the second straight game, the Kansas Jayhawks snuck by a double-digit seed, but advancing is the name of the game, and advance they have, with tonight's victory coming over the 11th seeded North Carolina State Wolfpack by the score of 60-57. The Jayhawks will look to sweep the the Tar Heel State by defeating the North Carolina Tar Heels in the Elite Eight on Sunday.

Tonight's game was about as ugly as high level basketball can get, though it certainly hasn't been the first in this year's tournament. The Jayhawks shot 37% from the field as a team, including only 1-14 from three point range, but their defense was just good enough to allow them to prevail. They were led on that front by center Jeff Withey, who blocked a whopping ten shots on the night. Kansas stars Thomas Robinson (18 points, 15 rebounds) and Tyshawn Taylor (6 points on 2-14 shooting, 10 points) were solid and dreadful, respectively, but both provided enough to carry the Jayhawks to victory.

For more on the 2012 NCAA Tournament bracket, stick around SB Nation's NCAA Tournament hub. There you'll find a complete printable NCAA Tournament bracket and tons of analysis on who was snubbed, who got the best bracket and who will make it all the way to New Orleans and the Final Four. N.C. State fans can visit Backing the Pack, while Kansas fans can visit Rock Chalk Talk for more on the respective teams.

Kansas Vs. North Carolina State Halftime Recap: Wolfpack Lead After Sloppy Half

The second seeded Kansas Jayhawks are down 34-33 at half to the eleventh seeded North Carolina State Wolfpack, but considering their play in the first half, they likely feel pretty fortunate. The Jayhawks shot only 35% from the field in the first frame and did not make a single three (on eight shots), but they managed to stick with a Wolfpack team that was able to hit four shots from downtown.

The Jayhawks' offense goes as go its stars Thomas Robinson and Tyshawn Taylor, and Kansas' 33 points at halftime is a direct indication of how those two played in the first half. Thomas Robinson— a Naismith Award finalist— scored 11 points in the half, but he only made four of his ten shots from the field. To his credit, he did pick up nine rebounds and make three free throws to pick up some of the slack. Taylor, on the other hand, was dreadful, shooting 1-9 from the field and 0-4 from three and turning the ball over four times.

The halftime score is also an indication of a very closely played half. Kansas entered the locker room with 25 rebounds, and North Carolina State with 24. The Jayhawks turned the ball over eight times, as did the Wolfpack. Kansas took ten free throws, N.C. State took nine. But if Robinson and Taylor get going in the second half, that final score may not end up looking much like the one at half.

For more on the 2012 NCAA Tournament bracket, stick around SB Nation's NCAA Tournament hub. There you'll find a complete printable NCAA Tournament bracket and tons of analysis on who was snubbed, who got the best bracket and who will make it all the way to New Orleans and the Final Four. N.C. State fans can visit Backing the Pack, while Kansas fans can visit Rock Chalk Talk for more on the respective teams.

North Carolina Vs. Ohio Recap: Tar Heels Advance To Elite Eight

North Carolina Tar Heels fans certainly considered the possibility of being upset by the Ohio Bobcats after integral point guard Kendall Marshall was lost to a broken wrist, and their worst fears almost came to fruition on Friday night in St. Louis. But the Tar Heels dominated the Bobcats in overtime, outscoring them 10-2 in the process of securing a 73-65 victory and thus advancing to the Elite Eight to take on the winner of the game between the Kansas Jayhawks and North Carolina State Wolfpack.

North Carolina Vs. Ohio Score Update: Tar Heels Lead 29-22 At Halftime

The Ohio Bobcats trailed by double-digits for much of the first half against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the first half of their Sweet 16 matchup, but Ohio would close the gap to head into halftime down only 29-22.

Tyler Zeller has been a killer for the Tar Heels, finishing the half with 11 points and 10 rebounds on 5-of-8 shooting. Forward John Henson has six points and four rebounds for Roy Williams' team at the half.

Guard Nick Kellogg has nine points on perfect 3-of-3 shooting from three-point range to lead Ohio. Guard Walter Offut has seven points for the Bobcats. D.J. Cooper, Reggie Kelly and T.J. each have two points for Ohio.

Ohio is shooting just 8-of-35 in the half (22.9 percent). North Carolina is 12-of-30 (40 percent) from the field. The Tar Heels are out-rebounding Ohio 26-15.

For more on this games, stay with SB Nation St. Louis. For more on North Carolina visit Carolina March, and for more on Ohio visit Hustle Belt, SB Nation's MAC blog. For the best news, notes and analysis of the 2012 NCAA Tournament, stick with SB Nation's college basketball news hub.

Kendall Marshall Injury: North Carolina Point Guard Will Not Play Vs. Ohio

North Carolina Tar Heels point guard Kendall Marshall will not play tonight when the top-seeded North Carolina Tar Heels take on the No. 13 Ohio Bobcats at the Edward Jones Dome in the Midwest Regional.

RT @UNC_Basketball: Kendall Marshall will not play tonight vs Ohio. Stilman White will start in Marshall's place.

— SB Nation (@sbnation) March 23, 2012

Marshall broke a bone in his right wrist during North Carolina's Round of 32 victory over Creighton when he was fouled on a drive to the hoop during the second half. Marshall 18 points and 11 assists at the time of the injury.

Losing the sophomore point guard is certainly a huge blow for the Tar Heels. Marshall had established himself as the leader of a loaded North Carolina squad, dishing out assists at a record pace. His 351 assists this season were the most in a single season in ACC history, breaking the previous record 48.

For more on this games, stay with SB Nation St. Louis. For more on North Carolina visit Carolina March, and for more on Ohio visit Hustle Belt, SB Nation's MAC blog. For the best news, notes and analysis of the 2012 NCAA Tournament, stick with SB Nation's college basketball news hub.

March Madness 2012, UNC Vs. Ohio: TV Schedule, Game Time And More

The No. 1 North Carolina Tar Heels take on the No. 13 Ohio Bobcats on Friday night, as the Bobcats attempt to become the first No. 13 seed to reach the Elite Eight.

North Carolina will be without their dynamic PG Kendall Marshall, who broke his non-shooting wrist in last Sunday's game and had surgery on Monday. The Tar Heels, meanwhile, will have to control Bobcats PG D.J. Cooper, who sports an impressive 14.6 points per game, 5.6 assists per game and 3.8 rebounds per game.

Game Time: 6:47 p.m. CT, Friday, March 3

Location: Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, MO

Broadcast: TBS, NCAA.com (online streaming)

Odds: via Oddshark

For more on this games, stay with SB Nation St. Louis. For more on North Carolina visit Carolina March, and for more on Ohio visit Hustle Belt, SB Nation's MAC blog. For the best news, notes and analysis of the 2012 NCAA Tournament, stick with SB Nation's college basketball news hub.

March Madness 2012, NC State Vs. Kansas: TV Schedule, Game Time And More

Kansas knows better than to take a No. 11 seed lightly. Last season, the Jayhawks were picked by many to win the National Championship, but Shaka Smart's VCU Rams -- a No. 11 seed -- upended Kansas before that could happen. Tonight, Kansas gets another crack at a No. 11 seed in the Sweet 16. Sophomore forward C.J. Leslie leads the North Carolina Wolfpack into battle at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis against Thomas Robinson and the second seeded Jayhawks.

Few expected the Wolfpack to make it this far, but an upset victory over No. 3 Georgetown in the Round of 32 makes N.C. State an unlikely Sweet 16 contestant. If N.C. State is to pull the upset, they better slow down Robinson. A projected top ten selection in the upcoming NBA Draft, Robinson - a sophomore forward - enters leading Kansas in points (17.7) and rebounds (11.8) per game.

Game Time: 9:17 p.m. CT, Friday, March 3

Location: Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, MO

Broadcast: TBS, NCAA.com (online streaming)

Odds: via Oddshark

For more on the 2012 NCAA Tournament bracket, stick around SB Nation's NCAA Tournament hub. There you'll find a complete printable NCAA Tournament bracket and tons of analysis on who was snubbed, who got the best bracket and who will make it all the way to New Orleans and the Final Four. N.C. State fans can visit Backing the Pack, while Kansas fans can visit Rock Chalk Talk for more on the respective teams.

NCAA Tournament 2012 Sweet 16, North Carolina Vs. Ohio: Tar Heels Deal With Undedogs, Kendall Marshall Injury

As the Midwest bracket gears up for its Sweet 16 contests in St. Louis, the 2012 NCAA Tournament gets some of its last underdog match ups of the year: The No. 13 Ohio Bobcats will take on the No. 1 North Carolina Tar Heels, and with Kendall Marshall injured and unlikely to play the longshots have more of a chance than anybody could have expected to knock off another No. 1 seed a day after Michigan State fell.

The Bobcats have depended all year on D.J. Cooper, a strikingly inefficient—.357 from the field this year—junior guard who nevertheless leads the team in scoring. Cooper's scored 40 points in two tournament games so far, running up the bracket with wins over Michigan and South Florida.

The Tar Heels, meanwhile, will try to find a way to move the ball around without sophomore Marshall, who led the NCAA in assists in 2011-12.

Here's more NCAA Tournament coverage from the still-aching correspondents at SB Nation St. Louis:

• No. 1 Michigan State already fell vs. Louisville, placating stricken Saint Louis fans and destabilizing yet more brackets.
• Apparently, if you're looking for cheap NCAA Tournament tickets, you need to root against the underdogs.

NCAA Tournament 2012 Schedule, Bracket For Friday: St. Louis Hosts UNC, Kansas

The last of the 2012 NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16 action takes place Friday, when St. Louis will host the Midwest Region's final four bracket contenders. North Carolina vs. Ohio kicks the local action off just before seven o'clock, while Kansas and North Carolina State will follow shortly after. St. Louis is sharing today's March Madness stage with Atlanta, where Baylor vs. Xavier and Kentucky vs. Indiana are on the agenda. Here's your complete schedule for Friday's action, complete with TV and broadcaster information:

South Region

Baylor vs. Xavier (Atlanta): 6:15 p.m. CDT on CBS
Announcers: Jim Nantz, Clark Kellogg, Tracy Wolfson

Kentucky vs. Indiana (Atlanta): 8:45 p.m. CDT on CBS
Announcers: Jim Nantz, Clark Kellogg, Tracy Wolfson

Midwest Region

North Carolina vs. Ohio (St. Louis): 6:47 p.m. CDT on TBS
Announcers: Marv Albert, Steve Kerr, Craig Sager

Kansas vs. N.C. State (St. Louis): 9:17 p.m. CDT on TBS
Announcers: Marv Albert, Steve Kerr, Craig Sager

If you're aching for more NCAA Tournament coverage, check out these stories, hand-picked from SB Nation St. Louis:

• You can get a copy of the latest printable NCAA Tournament bracket right here.
• If you're looking for cheap March Madness tickets, root against the underdogs.
• But if you went to an underdog—say, Saint Louis University—you might enjoy this recap of Michigan State's quagmire loss against Louisville.

NCAA Bracket 2012 And Schedule: TV Times, Announcers And Matchups

The 2012 NCAA Tournament is pushing towards the Elite Eight this weekend, but first four more teams need to earn their spots on Friday. The East Regional is set after the No. 1 Syracuse Orange knocked off the No. 4 Wisconsin Badgers and the No. 2 Ohio St. Buckeyes defeated the No. 6 Cincinnati Bearcats. The No. 4 Louisville Cardinals and No. 7 Florida Gators are the Elite Eight teams out West.

On Friday, the other four Sweet 16 matchups look more lopsided on paper. No. 10 Xavier, No. 11 N.C. State and No. 13 Ohio are only double-digit seeds remaining in the tournament, and they each face stiff competition. St. Louis hosts two of the matchups on Friday out in the Midwest Region, as Ohio hopes to catch lightning in a bottle against top-seeded North Carolina and the Wolflpack try to knock off Kansas.

Here is all the information you need to find Friday's March Madness action:

Friday, March 23

South Region

No. 3 Baylor Bears vs. No. 10 Xavier Musketeers (Atlanta): 6:15 p.m. CT on CBS
Announcers: Jim Nantz, Clark Kellogg and Tracy Wolfson

No. 1 Kentucky Wildcats vs. No. 4 Indiana Hoosiers (Atlanta): 8:45 p.m. CT on CBS
Announcers: Jim Nantz, Clark Kellogg and Tracy Wolfson

Midwest Region

No. 1 North Carolina Tar Heels vs. No. 13 Ohio Bobcats (St. Louis): 6:47 p.m. CT on TBS
Announcers: Marv Albert, Steve Kerr and Craig Sager

No. 2 Kansas Jayhawks vs. No. 11 N.C. State Wolfpack (St. Louis): 9:17 p.m. CT on TBS
Announcers: Marv Albert, Steve Kerr and Craig Sager

For more on the 2012 NCAA Tournament bracket, stick around SB Nation's NCAA Tournament hub. There you'll find a complete printable NCAA Tournament bracket and tons of analysis on who was snubbed, who got the best bracket and who will make it all the way to New Orleans and the Final Four.

Printable NCAA Bracket 2012: Elite Eight Action Continues On Updated Brackets

Saint Louis fans got their March Madness revenge Thursday when Louisville beat Michigan State, advancing to the Elite Eight and crushing the team that topped the Billikens. But if your 2012 tournament prime directive hasn't been fulfilled, check out SB Nation's updated printable NCAA bracket, updated to cover the first half of the Sweet 16 just in time for Friday's action in St. Louis.

The Elite Eight begins on Saturday. If your bracket hasn't been busted already, I wish you the best of luck—if you're a North Carolina fan, stuck dealing with Kendall Marshall's injury, you're going to need it. As a SLU backer, my sympathy is—well, it's limited. But it's there.

More NCAA Tournament 2012 coverage, handpicked from SB Nation St. Louis:

• I'll be honest: I can't get enough of this video of Draymond Green mopping. I'm sorry.
• Though I have gotten just about enough of that weird near-flagrant foul from the same game.

For more on this week's Sweet 16 action, games, stick with SB Nation St. Louis. For the best news, notes and analysis of the 2012 NCAA Tournament, stick with SB Nation's college basketball news hub.

NCAA Tournament Bracket 2012, Michigan State Vs. Louisville Final Score: Cardinals Crush Sloppy Spartans

The Louisville Cardinals were able to turn in an even more stultifying pace than the Saint Louis Billikens managed in their Sweet 16 matchup with the No. 1 Michigan State Spartans, holding Tom Izzo's squad's final score to just 44 points on the way to a 57-44 win that will move them into the 2012 NCAA bracket's Elite Eight. Draymond Green shot just 5-16, finishing with 13 points and 16 rebounds, while only one other Spartan—Brandon Wood—was in double digits. They shot just .286 from the field—of course, the Cardinals shot just .382.

It was not a banner day for basketball as it ought to be played, but the Cardinals—led by Chane Behanan, who scored 15 and pulled down nine rebounds—managed to move on. They're within one game of the Final Four after the upset.

For more on this week's Sweet 16 action, games, stick with SB Nation St. Louis. For the best news, notes and analysis of the 2012 NCAA Tournament, stick with SB Nation's college basketball news hub.

NCAA Tournament Tickets: Cinderellas Driving Up Prices

In St. Louis' Midwest region, ticket prices are considerably higher, likely due in part to the presence of No. 13 Ohio and No. 11 NC State.

Kendall Marshall Injury Update: UNC Point Guard Still Injured, Cannot 'Brush His Teeth'

It looks increasingly likely the No. 1 North Carolina Tar Heels will be without PG Kendall Marshall on Friday against the No. 3 Ohio Bobcats. According to the team's head coach, Roy Williams, Marshall's surgery on Monday has hardly healed:

Roy WIlliams on Marshall's status: "Yes, I really don't know (if he'll play). I have a strong, strong inclination he is not going to play."

— Brett McMurphy (@McMurphyCBS) March 22, 2012

Roy Williams on Marshall: "The guy can't brush his teeth right now."

— Brett McMurphy (@McMurphyCBS) March 22, 2012

Marshall has been a stabilizing force for the Tar Heels during the 2012 NCAA Tournament, scoring a double-double in both of the Tar Heels' previous two games. Without the 20-year-old, the team will turn to the bench to find a replacement for his 8.1 PPG, 2.6 RPG and impressive 9.8 APG.

For more on this games, stay with SB Nation St. Louis. For more on North Carolina visit Carolina March, and for more on Ohio visit Hustle Belt, SB Nation's MAC blog. For the best news, notes and analysis of the 2012 NCAA Tournament, stick with SB Nation's college basketball news hub.

NCAA Bracket 2012: March Madness Returns; Your Sweet 16 Schedule Is Here

Finally, March Madness fans: Your 2012 NCAA bracket is back in style—whatever's left of it—the NCAA Tournament is back on, and we've gotten all the way to Sweet 16 play. Wisconsin vs. Syracuse will open a stripped-down set of tournament games Thursday afternoon from Boston, on CBS; on Friday St. Louis will host some Sweet 16 games of its own. A complete TV schedule, with times and broadcasters, follows:

Wisconsin vs. Syracuse (Boston): 6:15 p.m. CT——CBS
Announcers: Verne Lundquist, Bill Raftery, Lesley Visser

Louisville vs. Michigan State (Phoenix): 6:47 p.m. CT——TBS
Announcers: Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller, Len Elmore, Marty Snider

Cincinnati vs. Ohio State (Boston): 8:45 p.m. CT——CBS
Announcers: Verne Lundquist, Bill Raftery, Lesley Visser

Florida vs. Marquette (Phoenix): 9:17 p.m. CT——TBS
Announcers: Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller, Len Elmore and Marty Snider

Saint Louis fans will finally have the chance to root against Michigan State. Are your voodoo Spartans ready? More coverage from SB Nation St. Louis:

• The Saint Louis Billikens may have been eliminated by the Spartans, but now's as good a time as any to commemorate their stellar March Madness run.
• As well as this animated gif of Draymond Green mopping.
• As well as these animated-gif air balls. Maybe commemorate is the wrong word?

NCAA Tournament 2012: Remembering The St. Louis Billikens In GIF Form

The Saint Louis Billikens knocked off the Memphis Tigers in the Round of 64 during this year's NCAA Tournament, but they couldn't sustain a run into the Sweet 16. The top-seeded Michigan St. Spartans dispatched them in the Round of 32, but they managed to make some solid memories along the way. Scott Schroeder over at SB Nation managed to compile some bloopers from the first half of their game against the Spartans, so if time has healed your wounds and you are ready to laugh again, check out these great clips:

On Thursday night, the Michigan St. Spartans take on the No. 4 Louisville Cardinals, the No. 1 Syracuse Orange play the No. 4 Wisconsin Badgers, the No. 7 Florida Gators face the No. 3 Marquette Golden Eagles and the No. 2 Ohio St. Buckeyes have a matchup against the No. 6 Cincinnati Bearcats. For now, just enjoy the Billiken memories.

For more on the 2012 NCAA Tournament bracket and stick around SB Nation's NCAA Tournament hub for a complete printable NCAA Tournament bracket and tons of analysis on who was snubbed, who got the best bracket, and who will make it all the way to New Orleans and the Final Four.

Printable NCAA Bracket 2012 Updated With Sweet 16 Matchups

The 2012 NCAA Tournament transitions into Sweet 16 matchups on Thursday night, as the East and West regions will advance teams to the Elite Eight. Did you have the No. 7 Florida Gators taking on the No. 3 Marquette Golden Eagles in the West Region in your bracket? If not, be sure to grab an updated printable bracket to remove the clutter and any embarrassing red marks from incorrect picks. It's never too late for a fresh start in March Madness.

The 2012 Printable NCAA Tournament Bracket is updated and available now.

In the other Thursday games, the top-seeded Michigan St. Spartans take on the No. 4 Louisville Cardinals, the No. 1 Syracuse Orange play the No. 4 Wisconsin Badgers and the No. 2 Ohio St. Buckeyes have a matchup against the No. 6 Cincinnati Bearcats. It should be a great day of basketball, so make sure you have a fresh bracket at your fingertips while you enjoy the action.

For more on the 2012 NCAA Tournament bracket, stick around SB Nation's NCAA Tournament hub. There you'll find a complete printable NCAA Tournament bracket and tons of analysis on who was snubbed, who got the best bracket and who will make it all the way to New Orleans and the Final Four.

NCAA Bracket 2012: March Madness Resumes With Sweet 16 Play Thursday

March Madness fans looking longingly at their 2012 NCAA bracket have just one more day until NCAA Tournament play resumes with the Sweet 16—Wisconsin vs. Syracuse will kick off the smaller-scale tourney play at 6:15 CDT, with Louisville vs. Michigan State, Cincinnati vs. Ohio State, and Florida vs. Marquette following soon after. A complete schedule follows, with TV times and broadcasters, follows. On Friday St. Louis will host two Sweet 16 contests; until then you'll have to settle for CBS and TBS.

Wisconsin vs. Syracuse (Boston): 6:15 PM CDT, CBS
Announcers: Verne Lundquist, Bill Raftery, Lesley Visser

Louisville vs. Michigan State (Phoenix): 6:47 PM CDT, TBS
Announcers: Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller, Len Elmore, Marty Snider

Cincinnati vs. Ohio State (Boston): 8:45 PM CDT on CBS
Announcers: Verne Lundquist, Bill Raftery, Lesley Visser

Florida vs. Marquette (Phoenix): 9:17 PM CDT on TBS
Announcers: Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller, Len Elmore, Marty Snider

Fans of the dearly departed Saint Louis Billikens will want to commence rooting against the Michigan State Spartans early.

More NCAA Tournament coverage from SB Nation St. Louis:

• The Saint Louis Billikens are out, but their March Madness run was truly impressive.
• So, to be honest, was Draymond Green's mopping ability.
• These animated-gif air balls are not quite so impressive.

Kendall Marshall Injury Update: UNC Preparing To Play Without Marshall

The No. 1 North Carolina Tar Heels are preparing to play without PG Kendall Marshall, according to the independent UNC sports news agency, Inside Carolina:

RoyW: UNC will prepare 100 percent as if Marshall will not play.

— InsideCarolina (@InsideCarolina) March 20, 2012

The Tar Heels take on the No. 3 Ohio Bobcats on Friday, and they are hoping Kendall can recover from his surgery in time to play, but the team can ill-afford to take chances.

The Bobcats boast a strong rebounding team and have been a popular upset pick this March. If Kendall cannot play, then the North Carolina will turn to their bench to stop PG D.J. Cooper (14.6 ppg, 5.6 apg, 3.8 rpg) and the Bobcats defense.

For more on this games, stay with SB Nation St. Louis. For more on North Carolina visit Carolina March, and for more on Ohio visit Hustle Belt, SB Nation's MAC blog. For the best news, notes and analysis of the 2012 NCAA Tournament, stick with SB Nation's college basketball news hub.

Kendall Marshall Injury Update: After Successful Surgery, Marshall's Status Uncertain

The No. 1 North Carolina Tar Heels take on the No. 13 Ohio Bobcats on Friday night, and after PG Kendall Marshall's successful surgery on Monday, the sophomore still has a chance of playing:

#UNC confirms "successful surgery" for Marshall in statement, but Roy W says he won't know till later this week whether the PG will play.

— Robbi Pickeral (@bylinerp) March 19, 2012

Kendall injured his non-shooting wrist on Sunday during a hard foul. The 20-year-old has average 8.1 points and 9.8 assist per game in the 2011-12 college basketball season. Despite breaking his wrist, Marshall led the Tar Heels in points and assists Sunday, scoring 18 points with 11 assists in his 36 minutes.

For more on this games, stay with SB Nation St. Louis. For more on North Carolina visit Carolina March, and for more on Ohio visit Hustle Belt, SB Nation's MAC blog. For the best news, notes and analysis of the 2012 NCAA Tournament, stick with SB Nation's college basketball news hub.

Kendall Marshall Injury: Marshall Undergoes Surgery, Starts Recovery Process

The Kendall Marshall injury saga is poised to dominate the news coming out the Midwest Region in St. Louis this week, and the speculation on Marshall's status can officially start... now. According to Inside Carolina, Marshall underwent surgery on his fractured right wrist this morning and has started the process of recovery.

Kendall Marshall Injury: Marshall To Have Surgery, Will Likely Miss Sweet 16

The North Carolina Tar Heels cruised to a victory over the Creighton Blue Jays on Sunday, but disaster struck in the second half when star point guard Kendall Marshall fractured part of his right wrist as he braced his fall after being fouled by Creighton's Ethan Wragge. According to a report by CBS Sports' Gary Parrish, Marshall will have surgery on Monday and is hopeful to suit up on Friday night when the Tar Heels take on the Ohio Bobcats. That last part is probably wishful thinking, though, as Parrish also reported that those close to UNC consider it "unlikely" that he'll be ready to go.

SB Nation's medical expert Ali Mohamadi echoes that sentiment, stating in his article regarding the Marshall injury that it would be nearly impossible for Marshall to be ready to play less than a week after surgery:

Based on all the data concerning proper management and healing of a scaphoid fracture with surgery, it would seem that in the absolute best-case scenario -- a perfect storm of favorable factors regarding the specifics of the fracture -- it is theoretically possible that Marshall could be fitted for a splint and play through the significant pain and risks associated with re-injury if the Tar Heels make the Final Four.

Assuming Marshall can't go, Tar Heels head coach Roy Williams will likely hand the reigns to the little used combination of Justin Watts and Stilman White, a duo that has combined to average only 10 minutes a game and has made only 22 of their combined 63 shots taken.

For more on this games, stay with SB Nation St. Louis. For more on North Carolina visit Carolina March, and for more on Ohio visit Hustle Belt, SB Nation's MAC blog. For the best news, notes and analysis of the 2012 NCAA Tournament, stick with SB Nation's college basketball news hub.

NCAA Bracket Update: Sweet 16 Midwest Schedule Set For Friday

The Midwest Region's top seeds have advanced to the Sweet 16, where they will each face an underdog team looking to stun the college basketball world.