UNC Closes Nonconference Home Slate with Statement Win Over ETSU
Tuesday night’s matchup against East Tennessee State wasn’t just another tune-up game on UNC’s schedule - at least not early on. For nearly 20 minutes, the Buccaneers gave the Tar Heels all they could handle, forcing a methodical, grind-it-out pace that saw six ties and four lead changes.
But once UNC found its footing, they didn’t just take control - they slammed the door shut. A 12-0 run that stretched across halftime broke the game open, and from there, the Heels never looked back.
This win wrapped up UNC’s final nonconference home game before the CBS Sports Classic, and while the box score might suggest a routine victory, there’s more to unpack here - particularly on the defensive end, where this team is starting to carve out an identity.
This Defense Is Built to Win Games
Let’s start with what’s becoming a trend: UNC’s defense is legit. Sure, the raw numbers look solid - ETSU shot just 38.5% from the field and 30.4% from three - but that doesn’t tell the full story. What’s really standing out is how consistently this team is stringing together long stretches of dominant defense that completely flip games.
We’ve seen this before. Against Kentucky, UNC held the Wildcats without a field goal for a full 10 minutes - a stretch that turned a tight game into a statement win.
Since then, it’s been more of the same. Georgetown went scoreless for five minutes in the second half, and UNC used that window to stretch an eight-point lead to 15.
USC Upstate hit a similar wall, going four minutes without a bucket while the Heels turned a modest lead into a blowout.
On Tuesday, it was ETSU’s turn. With about 12 minutes left, the Bucs went ice-cold - five full minutes without a point.
UNC capitalized, turning a 12-point lead into a 24-point cushion. Game over.
These kinds of defensive droughts aren’t just statistical quirks - they’re game-changers. They give UNC the breathing room to put runs together even when the offense isn’t humming.
And on the flip side, they frustrate opponents into losing rhythm, even after the drought ends. That kind of control - the ability to dictate the tempo and tone of a game defensively - travels.
It wins in March. And right now, UNC is showing they’ve got it.
The Guard Rotation Is in Motion
The backcourt picture is starting to shift, and it’s not just about Seth Trimble’s expected return. There’s real movement happening in the rotation.
Derek Dixon has been earning more minutes, and he’s starting to look like more than just a steady hand at point guard. He might be UNC’s most reliable shooter in the backcourt - a valuable trait on a team that generates a high volume of three-point looks.
But the most eye-catching change came out of halftime. After a quiet first half from Luka Bogavac, head coach Hubert Davis made a rare move: he started freshman Jonathan Powell in Bogavac’s place to open the second half. That’s not something Davis has done often without an injury forcing his hand.
Powell, fresh off a breakout performance against USC Upstate, played 24 minutes and made his presence felt - especially on the defensive end. He wasn’t particularly efficient offensively, but he brought energy, effort, and smart, low-usage basketball. That’s exactly the kind of contribution UNC needs from its role players.
Bogavac’s shooting pedigree still matters - this offense needs floor spacers - but his inconsistency and defensive struggles have opened the door. Powell is making a case to be more than just a spark off the bench.
And let’s not forget Jaydon Young, who logged 13 minutes and posted a +19 in that time. He played with poise and purpose.
With Trimble nearing a return, the guard rotation is about to get even more crowded. But that’s not a bad thing.
It’s December, and this is the time to figure out what combinations work. Davis has options - and that’s a good problem to have.
Ball Security Was a Bright Spot
One of the most encouraging signs from this game? UNC took care of the basketball. Against an ETSU team that thrives on forcing turnovers, the Heels coughed it up just seven times - and only twice in the second half.
What’s even more impressive is how they did it. In the first half, the offense flowed through the guards, with crisp ball movement leading to 12 assists on 14 made baskets.
The two unassisted makes? A Caleb Wilson putback and a Jonathan Powell fast-break layup.
Everything else came within the flow of the offense.
The pace was slow - just 61 possessions, a tempo Tony Bennett would appreciate - but UNC still found ways to generate quality looks. Then, in the second half, they shifted gears and went inside. Henri Veesaar and Wilson took over in the paint, bullying ETSU’s interior defense and converting consistently.
That kind of adaptability - being able to play different styles and still execute - is what separates good teams from great ones. Even when the shooting isn’t elite and the scoring comes in fits and starts, UNC is showing they understand how to play winning basketball. They’re reading the game, responding to what’s in front of them, and finding ways to win.
Final Takeaway
This wasn’t a perfect performance, but it was a mature one. ETSU came in with a game plan, slowed things down, and made UNC work for everything early.
But the Heels didn’t panic. They adjusted, they clamped down defensively, and they found different ways to score.
With the CBS Sports Classic looming and conference play right around the corner, this game was a reminder of what UNC is building. The defense is real.
The rotation is evolving. The offense is learning how to win in multiple ways.
And if the shots start falling just a little more consistently? This team won’t just be dangerous - they’ll be a problem.