Tar Heels Shake Off Holiday Rust, Lean on Stars to Open ACC Play with a Win
The holiday break may have cooled off the UNC offense early, but it didn’t take long for the Tar Heels to heat up and handle business. Despite a sluggish start-missing 10 of their first 11 shots-North Carolina found its footing and closed out 2025 with a gritty win over Florida State in their ACC opener. With the victory, UNC moves to 13-1 on the season and heads into the new year with momentum and a firm grip on the top tier of the conference standings.
Caleb Wilson: The Engine That Keeps Roaring
At this point, there’s not much Caleb Wilson hasn’t done for the Tar Heels. The freshman phenom once again looked the part of an All-American, delivering a monster performance with 22 points, a career-high 16 rebounds, six assists, and two blocks. And yes, he added another highlight-reel dunk to his growing collection-one that had the crowd and social media buzzing.
Wilson’s presence on the floor continues to be a game-changer. He’s not just scoring-he’s doing it efficiently, while anchoring the glass, facilitating offense, and protecting the rim.
It’s the kind of all-around dominance that elevates a team from good to great. And for a UNC squad with deep March aspirations, Wilson is the kind of player who can carry them there.
Kyan Evans Finds His Stroke
If this was Kyan Evans’ breakout moment, it couldn’t have come at a better time.
The freshman guard responded to recent criticism with his best shooting night of the season, knocking down five three-pointers and finishing with 15 points. In a game where perimeter shooting was hard to come by-UNC hit just 7-of-29 from deep-Evans’ shot-making was vital.
Alongside R.J. Powell, he was one of only two Tar Heels to connect from beyond the arc.
Evans showed the kind of confidence and rhythm that could make him a key weapon as ACC play ramps up. If he continues to shoot like this, it adds a whole new dimension to UNC’s offense.
Henri Veesaar’s Second-Half Surge
Henri Veesaar was quiet in the first half-but he made plenty of noise after the break.
The junior big man came alive in the second half, finishing with 12 points and 12 rebounds to notch another double-double. His energy and activity in the paint helped UNC control the boards and create second-chance opportunities, a critical factor in pulling away down the stretch.
Veesaar’s ability to flip the switch mid-game speaks volumes about his maturity and feel for the moment. When the Tar Heels needed a spark in the frontcourt, he delivered.
Seth Trimble Does It All
Seth Trimble is the kind of player who leaves it all on the floor-sometimes quite literally.
The junior guard was fearless once again, throwing his body around with reckless abandon and giving UNC a major boost on both ends. He poured in 20 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and added four steals in a high-energy performance that helped fuel the Tar Heels’ second-half surge.
Trimble’s impact goes beyond the box score. His toughness, his ability to defend multiple positions, and his relentless motor give this team an edge.
And when he’s scoring like he did Tuesday night? That’s just icing on the cake.
Looking Ahead: Road-Tested Tar Heels
Next up, UNC hits the road for a historic first-traveling to Dallas to face SMU, one of the ACC’s newest members. That January 3rd matchup kicks off a stretch where the Tar Heels will play three of their next four games away from Chapel Hill.
It’s a pivotal stretch for a team that’s shown flashes of greatness but is still building consistency. With Wilson leading the charge and key contributors like Evans, Veesaar, and Trimble stepping up, UNC looks ready to embrace the grind of conference play.
If Tuesday night was any indication, this team has the talent, toughness, and depth to make serious noise in the ACC-and beyond.