Miami basketball without Kyshawn George versus North Carolina

The Miami basketball team will be without starter Kyshawn George on Saturday versus North Carolina, per Hurricanes' play-by-play announcer Joe Zagacki. George played only four minutes in the loss at Virginia on Monday night before suffering a sprained ankle. George reportedly went through pre-game warmups.

The loss is the latest for the Miami basketball team. Guard Nijel Pack and forwards Matthew Cleveland and Norchad Omier have all missed games this season due to injuries. Guard Bensley Joseph will likely start in place of George. Joseph was replaced as a starter earlier this season by George.

George is averaging 7.6 points per game, 3.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists and shooting 43.3 percent from the floor. In ACC play George is averaging 9.2 PPG, 3.8 RPG and 3.2 APG while shooting 45.1 percent from the floor and 43.6 percent on threes. Jim Larranaga told Zagacki Jakai Robinson will receive minutes on Saturday with George out.

Expect freshman Paul Djobet to be the first player off the bench for Miami versus North Carolina. Djobet has played double-figure minutes in three of the last four games. Before the recent stretch, Djobet's previous high in minutes was five twice early in the season versus Kentucky and NJIT.

Djobet has not made an impact scoring but had seven rebounds in a loss to North Carolina State last week. Miami loses critical length on the perimeter with George out. At 6'7, Djobet could be critical versus North Carolina. A.J. Casey and Michael Nwoko could provide Miami with size upfront when Omier needs a rest.

Larranaga told Zagacki during the pre-game show that Wooga Poplar was in a boot during the game this week to protect his injured ankle. Miami will need its bench versus an uptempo North Carolina style. North Carolina is 39th nationally, averaging 74.7 possessions per game.