Kennedy Meeks (knee) expected out

North Carolina coach Roy Williams said Monday on his weekly radio show that he didn't think starting center Kennedy Meeks would play Thursday against Wisconsin.

Meeks suffered what UNC called a sprained left knee late in the second half of Saturday's win over Arkansas that advanced the Tar Heels to their first NCAA tournament Sweet 16 appearance since 2012. Williams initially said when he met with reporters earlier Monday afternoon that Meeks had an MRI and was scheduled to see a doctor again before the team departed for its West Regional semifinal in Los Angeles.

By his radio show Monday night, he was a bit more pessimistic about Meeks' return.

"They're not completely ruling him out and they're not saying he can play," Williams said on his radio show Monday night. "Let me say it that way, I don't think we'll have him, but we'll just have to wait and see."

Meeks' injury comes as Williams tries to put together a game plan to stop Wisconsin's Wooden Award candidate, Frank Kaminsky.

Williams said Meeks, a sophomore who averages 11.6 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, did not participate in Monday's practice. But he looked at Wednesday's practice as what will define Meeks' playing status.

"If he doesn't practice Wednesday, it'll be hard to play on Thursday," Williams told reporters.

Meeks missed the ACC tournament win over Boston College due to an illness. If Meeks is unable to play against the Badgers, Joel James likely will start in his place.