Shorthanded Tar Heels Handle Business Against Pitt Behind Breakout Performances
No Caleb Wilson. No Henri Veesaar. No problem.
Despite missing their top two scorers and rebounders-Wilson sidelined with a fractured left hand and Veesaar a late scratch due to illness and a lower-body injury-North Carolina didn’t flinch. In fact, the Tar Heels looked like a team with something to prove in Saturday’s 79-65 win over Pittsburgh.
From the opening tip, UNC came out firing, knocking down its first eight shots and building a double-digit lead that set the tone for the rest of the afternoon. The first-half surge was fueled by a trio of underclassmen who stepped confidently into the spotlight: Jarin Stevenson, Seth Trimble, and Luka Bogavac.
The three combined for 37 of Carolina’s 44 first-half points, with Stevenson and Trimble each dropping 14 and 13 respectively, while Bogavac chipped in 10. The team shot 53.3% from the field in the opening 20 minutes and went into the locker room up 14.
The second half wasn’t quite as sharp offensively-UNC cooled off to 48.1% shooting-but the defense held firm. The Tar Heels never let the Panthers get closer than 12, thanks in large part to their ability to force turnovers. Seven second-half takeaways turned into six points, helping Carolina keep Pitt at arm’s length the rest of the way.
Stevenson, Trimble Shine in Expanded Roles
With Wilson and Veesaar out, the question heading in was simple: who’s going to step up? Jarin Stevenson answered that call in a big way.
The freshman delivered his most complete performance as a Tar Heel, finishing with 19 points on 6-of-7 shooting, including 3-of-4 from deep, while logging a team-high 36 minutes. He looked confident, decisive, and under control-everything you want from a young player thrust into a bigger role.
Trimble, meanwhile, played with the poise of a veteran. Tasked with shouldering more of the offensive load, he poured in 19 points of his own, working his way to the line 11 times and converting nine. He didn’t shoot the ball particularly well from the field (5-of-13), but his aggressiveness and ability to draw contact kept the offense moving.
Zayden High Makes His Presence Felt
One of the biggest surprises of the day came from Zayden High. The freshman forward stepped into the frontcourt void and delivered a season-best performance: 15 points on 7-of-11 shooting, a team-high seven rebounds, and a strong interior presence on both ends. He played with energy, found high-percentage looks around the rim, and gave Carolina a much-needed boost inside.
High’s emergence, paired with Stevenson’s breakout, gave the Tar Heels a frontcourt duo that not only held its own but actually outperformed expectations. While it’s unfair to expect this kind of production every night, it’s a reassuring sign of depth-something that could prove crucial as the season grinds on.
Defense Answers the Call
The absence of Wilson and Veesaar didn’t just impact the offense-it raised questions about how the Tar Heels would hold up defensively, especially against Pitt’s physical frontcourt. While the Panthers’ bigs did combine for 37 points, much of that came as a result of Carolina’s frequent switching.
More importantly, UNC’s perimeter defense was locked in. The Tar Heels kept Pitt’s backcourt in check, limiting key scorers like Barry Dunning Jr. and Damarco Minor from finding rhythm or space.
Carolina also won the turnover battle in convincing fashion, forcing 12 while committing just four. That kind of defensive discipline-especially without two of their most impactful players-is a strong indicator of this team’s resilience and buy-in on that end of the floor.
Bogavac’s Timely Contribution
Luka Bogavac has had an up-and-down season, but Saturday showed what he’s capable of when he’s locked in. The sophomore guard scored 15 points, going 3-of-7 from three and helping UNC build its early cushion. His ability to stretch the floor and provide secondary scoring is going to be vital in the coming weeks, especially as the Tar Heels navigate a tougher stretch of the schedule.
Consistency has been the missing piece for Bogavac, but this performance was a step in the right direction. If he can replicate this kind of impact-particularly in the first halves of games-he could become a major X-factor down the stretch.
Rebounding Still a Concern
If there was one blemish on an otherwise strong performance, it was on the glass. Carolina was outrebounded 32-27, despite strong efforts from High and point guard Derek Dixon, who each pulled down seven boards. The rest of the team, though, struggled to make a dent.
With a road test against NC State looming, rebounding will need to be a point of emphasis. The Wolfpack bring size and physicality, and the Tar Heels will need more from Stevenson, Bogavac, and others to compete on the boards.
Dixon Bounces Back
After a tough outing earlier in the week at Miami, Derek Dixon responded with a much more composed performance. While he didn’t light up the scoreboard, he impacted the game in other ways-grabbing seven rebounds and dishing out seven assists to just one turnover. That kind of floor generalship is exactly what the Tar Heels need from their point guard as they adjust to life without Wilson.
The scoring will need to come eventually, especially as defenses key in on Stevenson and Trimble. But Saturday was a good sign that Dixon can steady the ship and keep the offense flowing.
Looking Ahead
This win wasn’t just a morale boost-it was a statement. Even without their stars, the Tar Heels showed they have the depth, discipline, and defensive toughness to compete. The road ahead gets tougher, starting Tuesday in Raleigh, but if Saturday’s performance is any indication, this team isn’t backing down anytime soon.