Meeks returns to non-contact drills

North Carolina center Kennedy Meeks has returned to practice in a limited capacity, the school announced Tuesday night. The sophomore suffered a sprained knee late in the second half against Arkansas on Saturday.

Meeks’ status for the Tar Heels’ Sweet 16 game against Wisconsin on Thursday night remains unclear. The big man’s availability for practice on Wednesday will be determined by the amount of swelling in his knee and his level of discomfort, Roy Williams said.

This season, Meeks has played in 36 of UNC’s 37 games, averaging 11.6 points and 7.4 rebound per game. He scored nine points in 15 minutes of action against the Razorbacks.