Caleb Wilson Shines Bright as UNC Edges Ohio State in CBS Sports Classic Thriller
If you're still catching your breath from Saturday's showdown, you're not alone. In a game that had all the drama you could ask for, North Carolina pulled off a nail-biting 71-70 win over Ohio State, thanks in part to a heads-up final play and a clutch finish from Henri Veesaar. The Tar Heels' big man delivered when it mattered most, capping off a strong individual performance with the game-winning dunk that sealed UNC’s fifth straight victory.
Veesaar’s 17-point, 10-rebound double-double was a force in the paint, but the spotlight continues to shine brightest on the Tar Heels’ freshman phenom: Caleb Wilson.
Wilson turned in another monster performance, dropping 20 points and pulling down 15 rebounds. That’s not just another solid outing-it’s his fifth 20-point, 10-rebound game this season.
And with that, he’s now passed Tyler Hansbrough for the most 20-10 games by a UNC freshman in the past two decades. Let that sink in.
We're talking about surpassing a player who not only won a national title in 2009 but also took home ACC Player of the Year in 2008 and Rookie of the Year in 2006. Hansbrough averaged 20.2 points per game during his time in Chapel Hill, and his name still echoes through the Dean Dome.
Now, Wilson’s starting to carve out a legacy of his own.
It’s not just the highlight-reel plays or the big stat lines-it’s the consistency that’s setting Wilson apart. Through 12 games, he's averaging 19.5 points and 10.8 rebounds per game, good enough to place him among the top rebounders in the country. His eight double-doubles lead the ACC, and he’s doing it all while adjusting to the college game on the fly.
What’s more impressive? He’s not just padding stats-he’s impacting winning.
Whether it’s dominating the glass, finishing through contact, or stepping up in key moments, Wilson is playing like a veteran. And with UNC now 11-1 heading into the ACC gauntlet, the timing couldn’t be better.
The road ahead won’t be easy. Conference play always brings its own brand of intensity, and the Tar Heels will have to bring their best every night. But if Wilson keeps playing at this level-and if teammates like Veesaar continue to rise in big moments-UNC has a real shot at stacking some serious hardware this season.
The question now isn’t whether Caleb Wilson is one of the best freshmen in the country. It’s whether he can help lead this team to a conference title… and maybe more.