In Syracuse, North Carolina got a clear reminder of just how crucial Henri Veesaar is to their squad. During his two-game absence, the Tar Heels struggled, shooting under 40 percent and facing challenges on both ends of the court.
Veesaar, who had been sidelined with a lower-body injury that flared up against Miami, made his return on Saturday against Syracuse. Although he was a "game-time" decision, he stepped onto the court and made an immediate impact.
In 26 minutes, he led No. 16 UNC with 19 points, shooting an impressive 9-for-13, and chipped in with three rebounds, an assist, a block, and three turnovers.
Reflecting on his performance, Veesaar acknowledged, "I definitely had a couple of turnovers that are unusual that I shouldn't have," and admitted there were moments he needed to be more active on the boards.
His road back began with limited practice on Friday, the first since his injury 11 days prior. "I did my first running drills on Wednesday, felt good, and then I did a workout on Thursday that felt good," Veesaar explained. By Friday's team practice, he was feeling ready.
Two hours before the game, Veesaar's status was still uncertain. Coach Hubert Davis wanted to assess his condition during warmups. Veesaar himself felt optimistic on Saturday morning, and it was confirmed he would start just 20 minutes before tip-off.
He quickly shook off any rust, missing his first shot but making an impact soon after with a block and a defensive rebound. "I feel like after the first 10 minutes, I got back into the rhythm," he said.
Without Veesaar, opposing teams had been switching defenses against UNC, forcing them into isolation plays. His return changed that dynamic, creating mismatches that opponents struggled to handle.
"When I was out, opposing teams were going a lot of 5D, so we had to go a lot of isolation," Veesaar noted. "It's tough living in isolation the whole game."
Offensively, Veesaar’s versatility opened up the floor for the Tar Heels, while defensively, his seven-foot frame altered shots and disrupted Syracuse's attack. "When he's in the game, defenses are geared to either stop him or make it difficult for him," Davis said. "From a defensive standpoint, not even necessarily blocking shots, just his size to be able to alter shots is just huge."
Despite being on a minutes restriction, Veesaar logged 26 minutes, the fewest in an ACC game this season. Davis and Veesaar communicated closely throughout to manage his workload. "He kept saying he felt good, and it was nice to have him back in the lineup," Davis shared.
Looking ahead, the Tar Heels face a quick turnaround with a game against No. 21 Louisville on Monday. Though the schedule is tight, Veesaar expressed confidence about his availability, a reassuring sign for UNC as they prepare to face the Cardinals.