CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — North Carolina's Marcus Ginyard will miss eight weeks after having surgery to repair a stress fracture in his left foot.

Coach Roy Williams said today it was better to have his most versatile player back in December rather than risk injuring the foot further, but that "we will miss his play on both ends of the floor as well as his leadership."

The guard/forward was the Tar Heels' defensive player of the year last season and helped lead them to their first Final Four since winning the 2005 national championship.

He started all 39 games, averaging 6.9 points and 4.5 rebounds.