Just when Mohamed Tangara got his longest stint of the season, the injury bug bit.

Tangara, a sophomore forward, left Wednesday’s game against ASU after being elbowed around his right eye. He suffered a sinus fracture and there is no timetable for his return.

Tangara was taken to University Medical Center at halftime after playing a season-high five minutes, scoring two points and grabbing a pair of rebounds.

“”I thought he was great (Wednesday) night,”” UA assistant coach Josh Pastner said. “”He came in and did a great job. He did exactly what he’s been told. I’m very proud of him.””

Pastner said Tangara was upbeat at practice yesterday.

“”The guys were really happy to see him,”” Pastner said. “”I thought it was a really good day for him to be around the team at practice.””

Brielmaier has tough task in return

Forward Bret Brielmaier practiced during half of yesterday’s session for the first time since injuring his right knee in the shootaround before Jan. 4’s game against Washington and will be available for tomorrow’s contest against No. 4 North Carolina.

Pastner said he expects Brielmaier to provide energy off the bench against Tar Heel big men Tyler Hansbrough and Brandan Wright, no small task for any player, nonetheless one who’s been one for three weeks.

“”It’s a challenge, and I have no doubt Bret Brielmaier will be ready to step up to the challenge,”” Pastner said. “”The kid, if you give him a challenge, he’ll accept and do a great job.””

Hill not feeling the pressure anymore

After forward Jordan Hill made comments about feeling pressure earlier in the week, Pastner had a long talk with him about what pressure is, telling him that pressure is going to Iraq or Afghanistan.

“”Pressure is going into a situation where your life is on the line,”” said Pastner, who coaches the UA big men. “”Pressure isn’t where coaches are coaching you and demanding the very best and excellence.””

With Hill saying he didn’t feel pressure against the Sun Devils after last night’s game, Pastner said the freshman now has a better understanding of what pressure is, telling him it’s not playing a game in college, which is supposed to be an enjoyable time of his life.

“”He’s got a tremendous opportunity in front of him,”” Pastner said. “”He’s so talented, and he can be so good, and if he keeps listening to what coach Olson and staff tell him, the sky’s the limit for that young man.””

Shelton needs win against former school

Despite his Carolina ties, for the second straight year UA President Robert Shelton will be pulling for the Wildcats.

“”I still predict a home-court victory,”” Shelton said.

Shelton, the former vice chancellor and provost at North Carolina, was hired to become the next UA president the day before Arizona’s game in Chapel Hill, N.C., against the Tar Heels, which he attended in the Arizona section.

Shelton said the president of Carolina, along with the chancellor and several trustees (the UNC version of regents), will be traveling to the game tomorrow.

“”I need the win more than anyone else needs the win,”” Shelton said.

NBA alums have big money on game

Although the Wildcats never played North Carolina while former guard Gilbert Arenas was in school, that didn’t stop him from feeling part of the rivalry with Wizards teammates and former Tar Heels Antawn Jamison and Brendan Haywood.

Arenas has $1,000 on the game with Jamison, whose squad lost to Arizona in the 1997 Final Four, and $20 with Haywood.

“”He always gets on me about Miles Simon beating me in the Final Four and things like that,”” Jamison said. “”He’s had the bragging rights the last couple years.””

– Matt Andazola contributed to this report.