UNC’s Little shakes off flu-like symptoms, plays against Auburn

North Carolina freshman Nassir Little played in Friday night’s NCAA tournament game against Auburn after coming down with what the team described as “flu-like symptoms” and missing Thursday’s practice.

Little’s status for Friday’s game was uncertain, but he was able to participate in warmups and Friday’s shootaround and entered the game at the 13:25 mark of the first half.

North Carolina coach Roy Williams said Thursday that Little’s temperature was elevated and he didn’t feel like eating, so the team left him at the hotel when it went to the Sprint Center for practice.

“I don’t foresee making a decision until game time,” Williams said Thursday. “But if he’s like he is now, there’s no way he can play.”

Williams will likely make a decision based on how Little feels and looks after warmups.

Little, a 6-foot-6, 220-pound wing, had 39 points and 11 rebounds in the Tar Heels’ first two NCAA tournament games against Iona and Washington. He was arguably their most consistent offensive player, and had success in the paint against both team’s zone defenses.

Little has been crucial to the Tar Heels success’ this season. The Tar Heels are 16-1 this season when he scores 10 or more points.

Little’s 20 points against Washington were the most points scored by a North Carolina reserve in a NCAA tournament game since Marvin Williams scored 20 points against Iowa State in 2005.

Even with Little available, junior wing Brandon Robinson was the first player off the bench. Robinson is averaging 3.2 points in 11.7 minutes per game, and is shooting 49.4 percent from the floor.

This story was originally published March 29, 2019 at 2:14 PM.