North Carolina Releases Timetable on Cole Anthony's Return Following Procedure
By Andy Loughmiller
North Carolina Basketball has gotten off to a slow start this season, going 6-4 through their first 10 games amid rough sledding (and also Wofford). Things won't be getting any easier for the Tar Heels now that their leading scorer is projected to miss significant time, as anticipated.
Cole Anthony, once ruled out "indefinitely," is now expected to be out for 4-to-6 weeks following a procedure on his knee. Often stagnant even with Anthony on the court, North Carolina will have to find a way to generate offense without him.
Cole Anthony is out 4-6 weeks after a procedure on his knee, UNC announced today.
— The Athletic CBB (@TheAthleticCBB) December 17, 2019
Some thoughts on how Carolina looks without Anthony, and what they can do when he does return. | @BrendanRMarks https://t.co/wjns2qkZ26
The freshman guard was leading the team in points, assists, and steals prior to partially tearing his meniscus. By any metric, it is going to be tough sledding without him.
UNC has lost three straight games. They have fallen out of the AP Top 25 for the first time since 2014. This news only adds to their early season frustrations.
Roy Williams has acknowledged the loss of his best player. He knows that one player won't replace Anthony's production, so everyone is going to have to step up while he is out.
Not good at all for #UNC basketball.
— Bridget Condon (@BridgetABC11) December 17, 2019
University of North Carolina freshman point guard Cole Anthony is expected to miss the next four to six weeks after undergoing an arthroscopic procedure to treat a partially torn meniscus in his right knee on Monday. pic.twitter.com/Hsbq5lMTEE
The silver lining to this situation is that Anthony should return before the season ends (and before the ACC slate becomes too daunting). Now the question becomes whether or not North Carolina will be able to remain in contention for a spot in the tournament during his absence.