Tar Heels Climb to No. 12 in AP Poll, Ride Frontcourt Power Into Key Week
CHAPEL HILL - North Carolina men's basketball continues its early-season ascent, jumping two spots to No. 12 in the latest AP Top 25 poll released Monday. The Tar Heels, now 9-1, handled business over the weekend with an 80-62 win over USC Upstate - their lone game of the week as the team balanced hoops with final exams.
UNC remains the third-highest ranked team from the ACC, trailing only No. 3 Duke and No.
11 Louisville. But make no mistake: this group is starting to find its rhythm, and a big reason why is the dominant play of its frontcourt.
Freshman standout Caleb Wilson is already looking like one of the most complete bigs in the country. Through 10 games, he’s averaging 19.4 points and 10.6 rebounds per night - a double-double machine who’s been the engine of Carolina’s interior game. Wilson’s blend of touch around the rim, rebounding instincts, and defensive versatility has made him a matchup nightmare.
Right alongside him is Henri Veesaar, who’s quietly putting together a rock-solid season of his own. Veesaar is posting 16 points and 9.2 boards per game while shooting a team-best 61.6% from the field. His efficiency and presence in the paint have been crucial, especially with UNC still waiting to get fully healthy.
Speaking of health, Wilson revealed last week that he’s been managing a foot injury that’s limited his practice time. The good news for Tar Heel fans?
He doesn’t expect to miss any games. That’s a sigh of relief, considering how central he’s been to the team’s success on both ends of the floor.
Meanwhile, veteran guard Seth Trimble is inching closer to a return. The junior has been sidelined since Nov. 9 with a left forearm injury, but there’s real progress: the brace is off, and he’s back on the court doing individual workouts. According to head coach Hubert Davis, the next step is full-contact practice - a sign that Trimble could be back in the rotation sooner than later.
Looking ahead, UNC has a two-game week that could test its focus and depth. First up, the Tar Heels host East Tennessee State on Tuesday night at 8 p.m.
It’s a game they’ll be expected to control, but one that still demands sharp execution. Then comes a marquee matchup on Saturday in Atlanta, where they’ll face Ohio State at State Farm Arena.
That one has the feel of a neutral-site battle that could carry weight come March.
With Wilson and Veesaar anchoring the frontcourt, and Trimble nearing a return, UNC is building momentum at just the right time. The rankings reflect it - and if they keep this up, they may not be done climbing.