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Status of Hansbrough uncertain when UNC faces Oregon

Nov 25, 2008 - 2:33 PM No. 1 North Carolina (4-0) vs. Oregon (2-1) 9:30 p.m. EST

LAHAINA, Hawaii (Ticker) -- Tyler Hansbrough's absence has not slowed North Carolina.

Hansbrough should be back on the court Tuesday when top-ranked North Carolina faces Oregon in the semifinals of the Maui Invitational.

Last season's consensus Player of the Year, Hansbrough made his season debut in Friday's 17-point victory against UC Santa Barbara after missing the first two games with a stress reaction in his right shin. He was sidelined again for Monday's opening round game, but the Tar Heels hardly needed his services.

Senior Danny Green scored a career-high 26 points and Ty Lawson added 19 and seven assists as North Carolina rolled to a 115-70 triumph over Division II Chaminade on Monday. Wayne Ellington had 14 points for the Tar Heels, who shot 61 percent (48-of-79) from the field.

The team was hesitant to play Hansbrough in all three games of the Invitational, but with one victory in the books, he should be back in the lineup Tuesday. However, the amount of time he will actually play is anyone's guess and will likely be dictated by the course of the game. If Monday is any indication, Hansbrough may not be seen unless absolutely necessary.

Michael Dunigan was nearly perfect on Monday, scoring 18 points to lead Oregon to a 92-69 rout against Alabama during its opening-round game. Dunigan made 8-of-9 shots from the field and grabbed nine rebounds while Joevan Catron contributed 17 points and 12 boards for the Ducks.

Oregon made 53 percent (31-of-58) of its shots from the field against Alabama, bouncing back from an 82-79 overtime loss to Oakland (Michigan) on Friday.