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Pinson set to return for No. 14 UNC against rival NC State

Florida State v North Carolina

CHAPEL HILL, NC - JANUARY 24: An injured Theo Pinson #1 of the North Carolina Tar Heels dances in front of the team bench before their game against the Florida State Seminoles at the Dean Smith Center on January 24, 2015 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 78-74. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

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CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) North Carolina swingman Theo Pinson is finally set to make his season debut after October foot surgery.

Coach Roy Williams said Friday he expects to play the junior in the 14th-ranked Tar Heels’ game with rival North Carolina State on Saturday night. Pinson’s return would be a major addition since he is possibly the team’s top perimeter defender and a good passer, while his versatility was a significant factor in UNC’s run to last year’s ACC championship and the NCAA title game.

The 6-foot-6 Pinson had surgery Oct. 26 to repair a fracture in his right foot suffered during preseason practices.

Williams said Pinson has been cleared for full practices for about a week and he’s been doing at least limited practice work such as halfcourt drills for two weeks.

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More AP college basketball: www.collegebasketball.ap.org