Tar Heels Survive Ohio State in Thriller: Hubert Davis Breaks Down the Final Moments and Key Performances
ATLANTA - North Carolina pulled off a gritty one-point win over Ohio State, improving to 11-1 on the season in a game that tested every ounce of their poise and defensive resolve. After the final buzzer, head coach Hubert Davis met with the media to unpack the dramatic finish, the return of Seth Trimble, and the versatility that’s quietly becoming this team’s calling card.
Final Timeout, Final Play, Final Stop
With the game hanging in the balance and one timeout left, Davis had to make a quick decision. Down by one, UNC picked up full court, looking to force a turnover before resorting to a foul.
It wasn’t an ideal scenario-Ohio State is a strong free-throw shooting team-but the gamble paid off. The Tar Heels got the steal they needed.
From there, Davis put the ball in Seth Trimble’s hands, trusting the sophomore guard to create. Trimble didn’t force it-he read the defense, drew attention, and found Henri around the rim for the go-ahead bucket. That sequence wasn’t just about execution; it was about trust, poise, and recognizing matchups in real time.
Davis had set the tone in the huddle moments earlier: “If I told you two and a half hours ago that we’d need four seconds of great defense to win this game, would you take it?” The answer was unanimous. And when it came time to deliver, they did just that-getting the crucial stop to seal the win.
Jarin Stevenson’s Defensive Impact
One of the unsung heroes of the night? Jarin Stevenson.
At 6'9" or 6'10", Stevenson’s length and mobility give UNC a rare chess piece on both ends. But defensively, he was key in slowing down Devin Royal-a player Davis didn’t hesitate to praise as “real.”
Royal brings a strong, under-control offensive game, and Stevenson was the only one who could consistently make him work for his shots. That kind of defensive versatility-being able to switch across multiple positions and hold your own-is invaluable, especially in tight games like this one.
Seth Trimble’s Return Changes the Equation
Trimble’s return to the lineup didn’t just give the Tar Heels a boost-it gave them options. His presence opened the door to lineup combinations that hadn’t been available while he was out. Davis pointed out that against Ohio State, there was really only one player on the roster capable of slowing down Bruce Thornton-and that was Seth.
But it wasn’t just on defense where Trimble made his mark. His speed in transition sparked something UNC had been missing: pitch-ahead dunks and layups.
That’s a staple of Carolina basketball, and Trimble’s ability to push the pace brought it roaring back. As Davis put it, “We gotta get back to that,” and with Trimble leading the break, they just might.
Lineup Flexibility: A New Dimension
With Trimble back, Davis now has the flexibility to shuffle the deck. That means more minutes for bigger guards like Jonathan Powell, who at 6'6" or 6'7" brings size and defensive potential to the perimeter. It also allows Stevenson to slide between roles, depending on matchups.
Having Trimble at the point lets UNC go bigger across the board, and that versatility could be a difference-maker as the season grinds on. Davis acknowledged that it’s something they haven’t had since Trimble went down-now it’s back in the toolbox.
Defending the Final Possession
Ohio State had four seconds to answer UNC’s go-ahead bucket, and Davis made sure his team was locked in. With Bruce Thornton inbounding, Davis reminded his players that the inbounder is often the most dangerous man on the floor once the ball is in play.
UNC switched everything on defense, using a lineup designed for that very purpose. The goal was simple: don’t allow a clean look and don’t foul. They executed, got the stop, and walked off with the win.
Perimeter Shooting Still a Work in Progress
Davis isn’t just banking on Trimble’s return to open up the offense-he’s still waiting for this team’s three-point shooting to catch fire. He believes they have the shooters to be dangerous from deep, but so far, the consistency hasn’t been there.
That matters, especially with bigs like Henri and Caleb drawing double teams in the post. If UNC can start hitting from the outside, it’ll force defenses to pick their poison. Right now, the perimeter game is the missing piece that could take this offense to another level.
Transition Game: Seth Sets the Tone
There’s no sugarcoating it-Seth Trimble changes the tempo. Davis called it out plainly: “He runs faster.”
Whether it’s a rebound or a defensive stop, Trimble is off to the races in just a few strides. That kind of speed doesn’t just lead to easy buckets-it energizes the entire team.
When one guy is flying down the court and finishing, it creates a ripple effect. Everyone starts running harder.
Everyone wants to be part of the break. That’s the kind of contagious energy that’s hard to teach-and even harder to stop.
Bottom Line: This wasn’t just a win-it was a test of UNC’s grit, depth, and evolving identity. With Trimble back, Stevenson stepping up defensively, and Davis leaning into lineup flexibility, the Tar Heels are starting to look like a team that can win in more ways than one. And that’s a scary thought for the rest of the field.