NCAA Basketball Scores 2012: Tar Heels Won't Need Henson to Get Past Creighton

The North Carolina Tar Heels have been dealing with the absence of their starting forward since the semifinals of the ACC tournament, but the potential absence of John Henson shouldn't trouble the team in their pursuit of a Sweet 16 berth against Creighton.

Although the junior's 13.8 points per game and 10.1 rebounds per night are certainly missed, the team shouldn't have much trouble during the early goings.

They handled Vermont with relative ease in the second round, as Tyler Zeller led the team to a 77-58 victory with 17 points and 15 rebounds.

The Bluejays barely got past the Alabama Crimson Tide, as they escaped a come-from-behind victory as they moved into the third round with a final score of 58-57.

Forward Doug McDermott led the team in their push to reach the next round, scoring 16 points and grabbing 10 boards. 

He will be essential if the team wants to upset the Tar Heels, but right now they stand in a tough position, especially with Henson's replacement James Michael McAdoo having a strong performance in the team's win over Vermont.

McAdoo scored 17 points while grabbing six rebounds and adding another four steals to his night. If he continues to play like this in relief of Henson, well, the Tar Heels may have found a lucky way out of the trouble they had originally foreseen.

The team likely will hope to have Henson down the stretch but, for now, it looks as if the Tar Heels will continue to survive.

Jeff Chase is a Featured Columnist for the Chicago Cubs and Arizona State football.

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