Kendall Marshall Undergoes Surgery On Broken Wrist; Elite Eight Status Uncertain

Kendall Marshall Injury: UNC Guard Ruled Out For Sunday's Game

North Carolina Tar Heels point guard Kendall Marshall will not play in Sunday's Elite Eight matchup against Kansas, multiple outlets report. Marshall participated in non-contact drills with his teammates Saturday but subsequently admitted that his wrist was still very sore. Nevertheless, he left open the possibility that his wrist might improve overnight, which apparently did not happen.

Marshall suffered a broken scaphoid bone in his right wrist during North Carolina's win over Creighton in the round of 32. He underwent surgery to insert a screw to stabilize his wrist and will likely require at least six weeks to heal but hoped to be able to play wearing a brace. His status for Sunday was first reported by InsideCarolina.com and confirmed by CBS Sports.

With Marshall on the sidelines, freshman Stillman White will start at point guard against the Jayhawks. Making his first career start, White scored two points with six assists in 32 minutes in North Carolina's Sweet 16 win against Ohio.

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.

Kendall Marshall Injury: Tar Heels Guard Practices Saturday, Hopes To Play Sunday

The No. 1 North Carolina Tar Heels were able to pull off the win in their Sweet 16 game on Friday against the Ohio Bobcats without guard Kendall Marshall, but they're likely to be missing him a lot more when they face off against the No. 2 Kansas Jayhawks on Sunday in the Elite Eight.

Marshall suffered a broken scaphoid bone in his right wrist and underwent surgery to repair the injury on Monday. Despite all that, his status for Sunday's matchup remains a game-time decision. The Fayetteville Observer spoke to Marshall on Saturday. He felt it was not out of the realm of possibility that he could play on Sunday.

I've gotten better every single day, which is a positive. Not just for the game, but for my health in general. If I were to make a huge jump and be healthy enough to contribute to my team, then there's a chance I could play tomorrow.

But he still remained realistic and pragmatic.

As soon as I stepped out on the court, I was like, I'm playing. Then I caught a pass and was like, Ooh, maybe not. I don't want to get my hopes too high and I don't want to just say I'm not playing. Right now, I wouldn't be playing. But I have to wait and see how I feel tomorrow.

Daniel Martin at CollegeBasketballTalk passes along how UNC head coach Roy Williams feels about Marshall's value to the team:

"It’s just one player, but I think this is the best example," Williams said. "I understand the Indianapolis Colts were in the playoffs [in 2010], then they lose Peyton Manning, and they got the No. 1 pick in the draft [after going 2-14 in 2011 without Manning]. That’s how important Kendall is to us."

North Carolina would certainly be a stronger team with Marshall than without him. It appears his status will not be known until game time.

For more on this story, be sure to visit Carolina March and keep checking this StoryStream for more updates.

Kendall Marshall Injury Update: UNC Guard Practices, Questionable For Sunday's Game

For the first time since breaking his wrist one week ago, UNC guard Kendall Marshall was back on the practice court, going through a few light drills with the team. Marshall was able to dribble and shoot -- a good sign for Tar Heels fans -- but remains a game-time decision, head coach Roy Williams said. Marshall missed Friday night's game against Ohio while recovering from the injury.

While Marshall did practice, he didn't do anything more than a light workout, Williams said.

"Kendall today [Saturday] went through the dummy stuff," UNC coach Roy Williams said. "It was the first day he's bounced a ball, the first day he caught a ball, the first day he shot a ball."

Williams said Marshall did not participate in any of the Tar Heels' live drills.

It's still anyone's guess whether he plays on Sunday, and Williams will be playing it close to the vest right up until the game. Even if Marshall does play, it's a near certainty he'll be far less than 100 percent. Whether that's effective enough remains to be seen.

For more on this story, be sure to visit Carolina March and keep checking the SB NationStoryStream for more updates.

Kendall Marshall Injury: Stilman White In, Marshall Out

Stilman White is a freshman guard who plays for the North Carolina Tar Heels. He averaged 4.3 minutes per game, 0.7 points per game and 0.6 assists per game this season. On Friday night, in UNC's Sweet 16 game against the Ohio Bobcats, he will be the starting point guard. The school confirmed that Marshall will not play and that White will take his place.

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

— UNC Hoops (@UNC_Basketball) March 23, 2012

Marshall suffered a broken left wrist (he is left-handed) during UNC's win against the Creighton Bluejays. He had surgery on the wrist the next day and was considered doubtful to play all week, but was not ruled out completely until Friday night. Seniors Justin Watts and Patrick Crouch could also play much more than usual against Ohio.

For more on this story, be sure to visit Carolina March and keep checking the SB Nation StoryStream for more updates.

Kendall Marshall Injury: Roy Williams Not Confident Marshall Will Play Against Ohio

Though no official word has been given on Kendall Marshall’s availability for North Carolina’s Sweet 16 game against Ohio Friday night, UNC head coach Roy Williams believes it is doubtful his sophomore point guard will be able to go.

“I have a strong, strong inclination that he’s not going to play,” Williams said on Thursday. “If he comes into my room tomorrow and says ‘Hey, my wrist feels great’ and drops down on the floor and does ten one-handed push ups on his right hand, then I’d say I’d probably play his rear-end. But I don’t expect that to happen, I mean the guy can’t brush his teeth right now.”

Marshall broke his right wrist during UNC’s round of 32 victory over Creighton on Sunday. He had a successful surgery on the wrist Monday morning.

Marshall, who is widely-regarded as one of the nation’s best passers, is arguably Williams’ most important player. His 3.48 assist-to-turnover ratio in 2011-12 is the second-best in a single season in ACC history, and his career 3.01 assist-to-turnover ratio is currently the best all-time in the conference. He’s currently averaging 9.8 assists per game, to go with 8.1 points and 1.2 steals.

For more on this story, be sure to visit Carolina March and keep checking the SB Nation StoryStream for more updates.

Kendall Marshall Injury: Can Stilman White Lead UNC To Final Four?

Bomani Jones breaks down UNC's chances in the rest of the NCAA Tournament without point guard Kendall Marshall.

Kendall Marshall Injury: UNC Guard Undergoes Successful Wrist Surgery

North Carolina point guard Kendall Marshall had successful surgery on his broken right wrist Monday morning.

Kendall Marshall Injury: Medical Expert Explains UNC Guard's Prognosis

The biggest news out of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday was the broken wrist suffered by UNC star Kendall Marshall. SB Nation's Medical Expert explains the injury and whether the Tar Heels' point guard will be able to return to action.

Kendall Marshall's Injury Overshadows North Carolina's Win Over Creighton

The North Carolina Tar Heels' national championship hopes were seriously derailed on Sunday when news broke that point guard Kendall Marshall had fractured his wrist in the Heels' win against the Creighton Bluejays. Marshall is scheduled to have surgery on Monday and his status is yet to be determined for Friday's Sweet Sixteen game against the Ohio Bobcats. On SB Nation's YouTube channel, college basketball blogger Nick Fasulo breaks down what the injury means for UNC.

As Nick pointed out, the Kentucky Wildcats are now even heavier favorites to win the title than they were entering the tournament. UNC is already without guard Dexter Strickland, who was lost for the year early in the season, and their backcourt will be incredibly thin if Marshall can't play for the rest of the tournament.

Head over to UNC Tar Heels blog Carolina March for more on Marshall. 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.

Kendall Marshall Injury: Surgery For Broken Wrist Coming Monday, According To Report

Kendall Marshall will have surgery to repair his broken wrist on Monday, according to a report following North Carolina's win over Creighton. Marshall came down hard on his wrist midway through the second half on Sunday, suffering a fractured scaphoid bone in the process. He continued to play, though the pain intensified as the game progressed.

Related: Video of Kendall Marshall's injury.

CBS Sports' Gary Parrish reported Marshall will have surgery on Monday, but hasn't been ruled out for North Carolina's Sweet 16 game on Friday.

CBSSports.com's Gary Parrish reports that, according to a source close to North Carolina, Marshall will have surgery on Monday. Parrish's source says that Marshall is hopeful he'll play in the Sweet 16. However, it's considered "unlikely" that Marshall will be able suit up for the Tar Heels.

He's hopeful, of course, but it would seem to be a stretch for UNC to run Marshall out there on Friday. The surgery should help stabilize the injury, but it's going to take some time for Marshall to recover enough to get back on the court. And that's still not addressing whether he'll be anywhere near 100 percent as UNC tries to stay alive in the NCAA Tournament.

For up-to-the-minute scores on all NCAA Tournament games, please check out SI.com's complete scoreboard.

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.

Kendall Marshall Injury: UNC Guard Optimistic He Can Play Through Broken Wrist

Kendall Marshall broke his wrist with about 10 minutes left in Sunday's matchup with Creighton, but did end up finishing the game. The injury occurred following a collision at the rim, and has put his status for the rest of the NCAA Tournament in doubt. Marshall, however, didn't seem to be phased after the game.

When asked what the next step is, Marshall didn't really have an answer, saying "All we know is that it's a fracture and I'll get on the bus. That's the next step." Other than hearing he fractured his wrist from the doctors, Marshall was unsure of the details. It's an unfamiliar situation, Marshall added.

"I've never had an injury, so I don't know," Marshall said. "Like I said, the doctors ... all they said it was a fracture."

He also noted that the injury occurred with 10 minutes to go, or thereabout, and the pain increased as the game went along. Marshall was worried about the pressure Creighton guards were putting on him as the game wound down, and the pain went from feeling like his funny bone was hit to a more intense pain.

As for what's next, he'll be reevaluated soon -- tonight or on Monday morning -- and go from there. In the meantime, Marshall said he plans to rest, keep his wrist immobile and try to take it easy in the hopes of playing.

Even if he's able to go, one would have to imagine his effectiveness won't be anywhere near what it was before the injury occurred. Teams now know what he's dealing with, creating matchup problems and an advantage for North Carolina's upcoming opponent in the Sweet 16, and perhaps beyond.

Full audio of the interview can be found here. We'll be back with more on Marshall in this StoryStream.

For up-to-the-minute scores on all NCAA Tournament games, please check out SI.com's complete scoreboard.

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.

Kendall Marshall Injury: UNC Guard Fractures Wrist In Win Over Creighton

Kendall Marshall suffered a fractured wrist in UNC's win over Creighton, putting his status for the rest of the tournament in doubt.