GLENDALE, Ariz. _ North Carolina players weren't cutting teammate Joel Berry II any breaks.
The point guard's ankle has been the topic of scrutiny heading into Saturday's Final Four meeting against Oregon at University of Phoenix Stadium. When coach Roy Williams was asked about Berry's ankle at a Friday news conference, Justin Jackson chimed in, "He's had three off days in a row."
Teammate Theo Pinson said, "He better play."
Berry said there's no question about that.
He fully participated in practice on Friday a day after taking the day off to rehabilitate and rest his ailing ankles. He twisted his left ankle in the Elite Eight game against Kentucky. He had previously twisted his right ankle earlier this season and again in a first round victory against Texas Southern.
Berry declared himself on Friday as "85 percent" healthy.
"There's only four more days left of the season," he said. "I have to do what I can get my body right."
