UNC’s Marshall has cast removed

North Carolina sophomore point guard Kendall Marshall is out of his cast following surgery on his broken right wrist.

In a text message to The Associated Press on Wednesday, Marshall's father, Dennis, said his son is wearing a removable splint now. Marshall said on Twitter he had shed the cast earlier in the day.

Dennis Marshall said it was still too early to know if his son could play against Ohio on Friday in the NCAA Tournament's round of 16 in St. Louis. He said his son "hasn't been ruled out, but not cleared to play either."

The school had no update on Marshall's status Wednesday.

The left-handed Marshall was hurt when he was fouled on a drive against Creighton and had surgery Monday to install a screw in the wrist.

Marshall is averaging about eight points and 10 assists for the top-seeded Tar Heels (31-5). He has scored in double figures for six straight games and has been the team's most irreplaceable player at the helm of its fast-paced attack.

If he is unable to play, freshman Stilman White or versatile senior Justin Watts will handle the point-guard duties.

■ VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH -- Shaka Smart ended speculation that he might take the open coaching job at Illinois by announcing he'll stay with the Rams.

The decision was cause for celebration among VCU fans and disappointment for their Illini counterparts -- Illinois' search for a replacement for fired coach Bruce Weber has started to resemble its search last year for a new football coach, when the school's top choices reportedly turned down the Illini.

VCU said in a news release that Smart's $1.2 million contract will be adjusted, but provided no details.

He said in the release that he appreciates VCU's support of him and his staff.

Smart will bring back one of the country's youngest teams. The Rams went 29-7 and were eliminated in the third round of the NCAA Tournament after making an improbable Final Four run last season.

■ IOWA STATE -- Sophomore forward Royce White said he's leaving the school after playing one season and declaring for the NBA Draft.

White, the Big 12's Newcomer of the Year, said he intended to sign with an agent soon. The 6-foot-8 inch, 270-pound forward from Minneapolis led the Cyclones with 13.4 points and 9.3 rebounds a game this season and helped Iowa State reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time in seven years.

■ MICHIGAN -- Sophomore forward Evan Smotrycz is one of three players who will transfer from the school.

Smotrycz is joined by classmate Colton Christian and freshman Carlton Brundidge, who each played sparingly. Smotrycz was terrific at times early this season, going 22 of 30 from the field during a four-game stretch in December. But his production slipped when Big Ten play began and he lost his starting job.