North Carolina guard Seth Trimble is expected to return to the lineup Saturday against Ohio State for the CBS Sports Classic in Atlanta, a source has confirmed to The News & Observer. The news was first reported by Jeff Goodman of the Field of 68 Network.
Trimble has been sidelined since breaking a bone in his left forearm during a Nov. 9 team workout. He had surgery the next day and has missed the Tar Heels’ last nine games while recovering. A UNC spokesperson told the News & Observer that they did not have “any announcement at this time.”
UNC coach Hubert Davis said Monday on his weekly radio show that Trimble did individual work last week and participated this week in five-on-five action. The N&O reported on Saturday that Trimble was set to return to full-contact practice this week.
A 6-foot-3 defensive standout and veteran leader, Trimble averaged 14.5 points, five rebounds and 3.5 assists in the first two games of the season before suffering the injury. His absence has been noticeable, particularly in transition.
North Carolina has scored just 22 fast-break points over its last three games.
“Having that ability to strike and be able to finish and transition like [Trimble] is real,” Davis said on Saturday. “He’s another playmaker. So he can handle the ball, he can distribute, he can score. And then, defensively, you can make the argument he’s the best on-ball defender, perimeter defender in the country.”
The No. 12 Tar Heels and Buckeyes will tip off at 3 p.m. Saturday at State Farm Arena in the CBS Sports Classic.