Tar Heels Adjusting on the Fly Ahead of Rivalry Clash with NC State
CHAPEL HILL - With the regular season heating up and roster depth being tested, North Carolina head coach Hubert Davis met with the media Monday morning to reflect on the Tar Heels' gritty win over Pitt and preview Tuesday’s rivalry showdown with NC State.
Here’s what stood out from Davis’ update - and what it tells us about where this UNC team is right now.
Henri Veesaar’s Status Still Uncertain
UNC was without center Henri Veesaar on Saturday, sidelined by a flu virus and a lower-body injury. While the illness was the more pressing concern, Davis noted that Veesaar is “getting better and feeling better every day.” Still, there’s no firm word on whether he’ll be available for the NC State game.
“We’ve got practice this afternoon,” Davis said. “We’ll reevaluate and see how he’s doing and move forward from there.”
Veesaar’s absence has left a noticeable gap in the Tar Heels’ frontcourt depth - especially with rebounding and interior defense - and his availability could be a key factor in how UNC matches up against a physical Wolfpack squad.
Jarin Stevenson Stepping Up in a Big Way
With forward Caleb Wilson out for an extended stretch due to a fractured left hand, the Tar Heels have turned to freshman Jarin Stevenson to fill the void - and he’s responded with arguably his best performance in Carolina blue.
In Saturday’s win over Pitt, Stevenson dropped a career-high 19 points on 6-of-7 shooting, including 3-of-4 from deep. But it wasn’t just the shooting - it was how he played in the paint that caught Davis’ eye.
“I was really pleased with the aggressiveness of his moves around the basket,” Davis said. “Since the Ohio State game, or maybe even SMU, I think he’s been in a better rhythm - more comfortable, more confident offensively and knowing when to be aggressive.”
Davis didn’t hold back in his praise: “When he’s aggressive, he definitely takes our team to a different level.”
That’s high praise for a freshman still finding his footing, but Stevenson’s versatility - the ability to stretch the floor while battling inside - is exactly what UNC needs right now. With Wilson and Veesaar both sidelined, Stevenson’s development isn’t just a bonus. It’s a necessity.
Rebounding by Committee
Between Wilson and Veesaar, UNC is missing nearly 18.5 rebounds per game. That’s a massive hole on the glass, and Davis has made it clear: the perimeter players need to step up.
Against Pitt, freshman guard Derek Dixon answered the call with seven rebounds - tying for the team high. But Davis noted that the rest of the backcourt combined for just six boards.
“That was great, but on the other side, the remaining perimeter players totaled six,” Davis said. “Everybody has to rebound. Everybody has that job and responsibility, and it’s very important for us.”
This isn’t just coach-speak. With two key rebounders out, UNC can’t afford to get beat on the glass - especially against a Wolfpack team that thrives on second-chance points and transition opportunities off defensive boards.
Scouting NC State: Disruptive Defense, Balanced Offense
Looking ahead to Tuesday’s matchup, Davis highlighted NC State’s disruptive defense as a key challenge.
“They’re really good defensively,” he said. “They do a really good job of getting steals and deflections, disrupting you on the defensive end, not allowing you to feel - from an offensive standpoint - consistently in rhythm.”
That kind of pressure can throw off even the most experienced teams, and for a UNC squad still adjusting to lineup changes, ball security will be critical.
Offensively, Davis pointed to the Wolfpack’s ability to score in multiple ways.
“They can really shoot the basketball,” he said. “A number of guys that can get hot and stay hot from the perimeter, but they can also get consistent points in the paint.”
In other words, this isn’t a team you can afford to defend one-dimensionally. UNC will need to close out on shooters while still protecting the paint - a tall order without two key frontcourt contributors.
Quadir Copeland Drawing Familiar Comparisons
Davis also had high praise for NC State’s Quadir Copeland, likening him to a name that should ring a bell for Tar Heel fans: Theo Pinson.
“Theo was 6-6, 6-7, and really was a facilitator,” Davis said. “He could handle, he could pass, he could score around the basket, he could shoot. And Quadir reminds me a lot of him with his ability to make plays - not only for himself, but for his teammates.”
That’s not a comparison Davis throws out lightly. Pinson was a Swiss Army knife for UNC during his time in Chapel Hill - a glue guy who could do a little bit of everything. If Copeland brings that same versatility and playmaking to the floor on Tuesday, the Tar Heels will have their hands full.
Final Thought
This stretch of the season is where teams start to show who they really are - not just in talent, but in toughness. UNC is battling through injuries, leaning on youth, and asking more from its role players. So far, they’ve responded.
Tuesday’s game against NC State isn’t just another rivalry matchup. It’s a test of depth, resilience, and adaptability - and if the Tar Heels can pull it off, it’ll say a lot about where this group is headed.