Tar Heels Handle Pitt Without Key Starters, Show Depth and Discipline in Chapel Hill Win
No Caleb Wilson? No Henri Veesaar? No problem for North Carolina on Saturday afternoon.
The Tar Heels stepped onto the court at the Dean E. Smith Center missing two of their most important frontcourt contributors-and still managed to cruise past Pitt, 79-65, in a performance that showcased both the depth and maturity of Hubert Davis’ squad.
The pregame buzz took a sharp turn when it was revealed that Veesaar would be sidelined, joining Wilson on the injury list. Veesaar, dealing with a lower-body injury and lingering illness following UNC’s midweek trip to Miami, was seen warming up with the team but clearly wasn’t at full strength. Rather than risk aggravating the issue, Davis made the call to keep him out-and it was absolutely the right move.
This decision comes just days after Wilson suffered a significant hand injury in the loss to Miami. Originally believed to be a sprained wrist, further evaluation revealed a fracture-an unfortunate turn that likely has Davis and his staff rethinking how they manage player health in-game. Hindsight’s always clearer, but it’s hard not to connect the dots: after seeing what happened with Wilson, there was no way UNC was going to take a similar risk with Veesaar.
And to their credit, the Tar Heels didn’t need him.
With two starters out, UNC’s supporting cast stepped up in a big way. Freshman forward Zayden High got the first start of his college career and didn’t waste the opportunity, putting up a career-high 15 points. He looked confident, aggressive, and ready for the moment-exactly what you want to see from a young player thrust into a bigger role.
Seth Trimble and Jarin Stevenson each added 19 points, while Luka Bogavac chipped in 15 of his own. That kind of balanced scoring is a coach’s dream, and it’s a testament to the culture Davis has built in Chapel Hill. This team doesn’t just rely on its stars-they’ve got guys all over the roster who are ready to contribute when called upon.
Pitt, now 9-16 overall and just 2-10 in ACC play, didn’t have many answers for UNC’s energy and execution. The Tar Heels controlled the pace, attacked the glass, and played with the kind of poise that you don’t always see from a shorthanded squad. It wasn’t flashy, but it was efficient-and in the ACC, that’s what wins games.
Looking ahead, North Carolina’s next test comes Tuesday night in Raleigh against NC State-a rivalry matchup that always brings out the best in both teams. Wilson is confirmed out, but there’s hope that Veesaar will be ready to return. Whether he suits up or not, one thing is clear: this Tar Heels team has the depth, the discipline, and the belief to weather adversity.
Saturday’s win wasn’t just about beating Pitt. It was about showing that this group knows how to manage the long grind of the season, protect its assets, and still find ways to win. That’s the kind of maturity that matters in February-and even more in March.