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Top-ranked North Carolina hosts Penn without Hansbrough

Nov 15, 2008 - 11:21 AM Pennsylvania at No. 1 North Carolina 4:00 pm. EST

CHAPEL HILL, North Carolina (Ticker) -- Tyler Hansbrough's right shin is still ailing, but top-ranked North Carolina should have no problems without him against the University of Pennsylvania on Saturday in the season opener for both teams.

The consensus National Player of the Year last season, Hansbrough has been nursing a stress reaction in his shin and is "extremely doubtful" according to coach Roy Williams.

The energetic center nicknamed "Psycho T" is a huge reason the Tar Heels, who return the top six scorers from a team that set the school record with 36 wins last season, are considered the favorite to win the national title.

A three-time All-American, Hansbrough averaged 22.6 points and 10.2 rebounds last season in leading North Carolina to the Final Four. Hansbrough will likely miss his first career game after playing all 108 contests during his three years at Chapel Hill.

Hansbrough had 29 points and 10 rebounds in a 106-71 win on December 4 at the Palestra last season. His namesake, highly touted freshman Tyler Zeller may get the start. Zeller started on Saturday and had 13 points in an exhibition win overt North Carolina-Pembroke.

North Carolina is also dealing with injuries to forward Marcus Ginyard (foot) and guard Bobby Frasor (ankle). Ginyard is out after having foot surgery in the offseason, while Frasor is questionable with a sprained ankle.

The Quakers, who went 13-18 last season, are led by returning leading scorer Tyler Bernardini (12.9 ppg). Bernardini scored a career-high 26 points against North Carolina last season.