CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- North Carolina forward Harrison Barnes, who sprained his right ankle Saturday, practiced fully Tuesday and "barring unexpected setbacks, he is expected to play versus Wisconsin" on Wednesday, a team spokesman wrote in an email.

Barnes, the team’s leading scorer and a preseason All American, rolled his ankle while scrambling on the sideline for a loose ball during UNC's 90-80 loss to UNLV in the Las Vegas Invitational title game. He immediately flashed the tired signal and went to the bench. Although he waved off the trainer, he had a towel over his head for several minutes, before eventually returning to the game.

He left Orleans Arena on crutches -- a move, a team spokesman said at the time, that was a precautionary measure. Sunday morning, when the team left Las Vegas, the crutches were gone. Coach Roy Williams said Tuesday that X-rays were negative.

The ACC Preseaon Player of the Year made only 6-of-16 shots during the Tar Heels' first loss of the season, finishing with 15 points and five rebounds. He’s averaging a team-leading 17.3 points, plus 4.8 rebounds, this season.

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