North Carolina Dealing With Unknown Injury to Matt Able

North Carolina fans are ready for the college basketball season, but a couple of things need to be considered before Monday night as it takes on Western Carolina. North Carolina should be able to win this game no matter who's on the court for them, but it's also important to note that some injuries are currently being factored in. 

The biggest is Matt Able, the North Carolina State transfer expected to be one of the better players on the roster this season.

Able missed the exhibition game against Charlotte, though it hasn't been reported yet what happened. 

According to Rodd Baxley, who was at the game, the injury didn't look noticeable. Baxley added that he was on the sidelines during UNC's warmups, and it didn't seem to be too big of a problem.

“Able, an N.C. State transfer, is one of 11 newcomers on coach Michael Malone's first roster in Chapel Hill. The 6-foot-5, 200-pound guard is a starter in the backcourt alongside Virginia Tech transfer Neo Avdalas and Utah transfer Terrence Brown…

“Able's injury doesn't look noticeable. He was on the sidelines during UNC's warmups ahead of the game. Still, it's another missed opportunity for Able to get game action with a revamped roster and a backcourt that includes Utah transfer Terrence Brown, along with Virginia Tech transfer Neo Avdalas. Isaiah Denis missed the Indiana exhibition game with a minor injury,” Baxley wrote.

Able, who withdrew from the NBA draft last year to go to North Carolina, is expected to be one of the ACC's better players this season. 

He's coming off a decent freshman year at NC State, averaging 8.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, and shooting 35.5% from three-point range on 4.1 attempts per game. 

He has areas to improve, including as a passer, but there's a lot to like about the young man, and the hope is that he'll be what everybody knows he can be.

Hopefully, this is just a small thing, and North Carolina can get it under control before it plays on Monday night. If not, it's fine if he misses a few games.

I'd be worried if he doesn't play a lot in the first month or so, though. UNC has a need to get better as a team with all the new faces and a different system. The last thing the program needs is for one of the best players on the roster to be out.