North Carolina guard Cole Anthony, who has missed the last seven games after undergoing an arthroscopic knee procedure in December, has been hinting that he could return soon.
He posted a photo on Instagram Thursday night with the caption, "Can't wait to join my brothers on the court again," raising speculation that he may be ready for UNC's game against Pittsburgh on Saturday.
But the question remains: Should Anthony, a projected NBA lottery pick, return to the Tar Heels?
UNC (8-8, 1-4 ACC) is on a three-game losing streak and is 2-5 without Anthony.
The Tar Heels hit their lowest point of the season last week, after losing 79-76 in overtime to Clemson in Chapel Hill. The Tar Heels led by 10 points with 2:08 left, before allowing the Tigers to come back and tie it, sending it to overtime. They turned the ball over three times in that stretch.
Before that game, Clemson had never won in Chapel Hill. The loss snapped a 59-game winning streaking dating back to 1928.
If the NCAA Tournament were to start today, or even two weeks from now, the Tar Heels would not make it, prompting some to ask why Anthony would return if he's a projected lottery pick. According to nbadraft.net, Anthony is projected to go No. 9 overall.
ESPN analyst and former Virginia Tech coach, Seth Greenberg said on ESPN in December that he could not see a scenario where Anthony returned.
"As a basketball guy, I want him to come back," Greenberg said in an interview with the N&O on Wednesday. "I like to see guys who love the game and want to play. But in a business decision, he's got a lot at stake."
