Tar Heels Keep Rolling, Hubert Davis Breaks Down Third Straight ACC Win
ATLANTA - The Tar Heels are starting to hit their stride in conference play, and Saturday’s double-digit win over Georgia Tech was another step in the right direction. That’s now three straight ACC victories, and each one has shown a little more polish, a little more cohesion, and a lot more confidence from Hubert Davis’ squad.
After the win, Davis spoke with reporters about what’s clicking right now, and he didn’t hold back in highlighting the key pieces driving UNC’s recent surge.
Ball Movement, Unselfish Play Fueling the Offense
One of the first things Davis pointed to? The way the ball is moving on offense-and it’s not just pretty, it’s purposeful.
“The ball moved really well,” Davis said. “Very unselfish from an offensive standpoint.”
That unselfishness started with Caleb Wilson. Georgia Tech was forced to double the post whenever Wilson got a touch, and instead of forcing it, he made the smart play-kicking it out to open teammates and setting the tone for the rest of the team.
“It just ignited everybody else,” Davis said. “It was a .5 mentality-catch it, and in half a second, decide whether to shoot, drive, or pass.”
That kind of decisiveness is what turns good possessions into great ones. And when it starts with a player like Wilson, it becomes contagious.
Cleaning Things Up Defensively
Defensively, it wasn’t perfect-Davis admitted there were mistakes in both halves-but the Heels executed one of their key game plan points: controlling Georgia Tech’s ball screen-heavy offense.
“We knew they’d set a ton of ball screens,” Davis said. “I don’t think we got into very many rotations, and that’s a good thing.”
Limiting rotations means fewer breakdowns, fewer open looks, and more control over the pace of the game. It’s a subtle but critical part of any defensive scheme, and Carolina handled it well.
Luka Looking Comfortable-and Confident
Luka’s performance stood out, not just for the box score, but for how at ease he looked on the floor. According to Davis, that confidence is starting to show on both ends.
“He’s getting better and better defensively,” Davis said. “Talking, understanding the concepts-so much better now than at the beginning of the year.”
It’s not always linear, especially for younger players. But Luka’s rhythm is coming along, and his growing confidence is a big plus for a team that needs consistent two-way play.
Transition Defense: Mission Accomplished
Georgia Tech thrives in transition-that’s where they do most of their damage. But UNC took that strength away by staying disciplined and dictating the terms of the game.
“If you make shots, take care of the ball, and get to the offensive glass, you’re not in transition defense,” Davis explained. “But when it happens, sprint back, talk, and make it five-on-five.”
That’s exactly what Carolina did. They kept the Yellow Jackets from getting out and running, and it paid off in a big way. Limiting transition buckets was a huge part of Saturday’s win.
Shot Selection Still a Work in Progress
Even in a win, there’s always something to clean up. For Davis, it was shot selection-specifically, settling for threes instead of attacking the rim.
“At times, I do think we settled,” he said. “We were 11-for-13 at the rim in the first half. We’re 71% at the rim on the year-that’s number one in the ACC.”
The message is clear: this is an inside-out team. When they stick to that identity-through post play, penetration, and offensive rebounding-they’re tough to stop.
But when they rush threes? That’s when things can go sideways.
Caleb Wilson’s Homecoming
Playing close to home can bring added pressure, but for Caleb Wilson, it looked more like a boost. Davis noted that Wilson grew up just 25 minutes from Georgia Tech’s campus, and while he never played there in high school, he looked comfortable this time around.
“We already played in Atlanta earlier this year,” Davis said, referencing a previous game against Ohio State. “I felt like he came in more settled this time, and he played really well.”
Henri Veesaar Bounces Back
After a tough outing against Virginia, Henri Veesaar responded with exactly the kind of performance Carolina needed-especially on the glass.
“He had 12 rebounds today,” Davis said. “That’s something we need him to consistently do.”
Offensively, Veesaar showed his full range-scoring off post-ups, second-chance points, and even spotting up from deep. That kind of versatility makes him a matchup problem, and Davis was pleased to see him find his rhythm again.
Seth Trimble’s Aggression Changes the Game
Seth Trimble looked like the version of himself we saw earlier in the season-attacking the basket with confidence and finishing strong.
“His ability to fast break, even in the half court-he’s our most powerful driver and finisher,” Davis said. “The last two to three games, he’s done that consistently.”
Trimble’s impact wasn’t just on offense. When Georgia Tech started to chip away at the lead, he stepped up with key buckets, a steal, and a transition layup that helped slam the door shut. Davis also praised his leadership in huddles and on the floor.
The Bottom Line
This win wasn’t just about the scoreboard-it was about control. UNC dictated the pace, executed their game plan, and got meaningful contributions across the board. From Wilson’s unselfish play to Trimble’s aggressive drives, from Veesaar’s bounce-back to Luka’s growing confidence, this was a team win in every sense.
Three straight ACC victories, and the Tar Heels are starting to look like a squad that knows exactly who they are-and how they want to play.