Tar Heels Close Nonconference Slate with Statement Win Over ECU: Three Key Takeaways
North Carolina ended its nonconference schedule with a bang Monday night, rolling past East Carolina in a performance that was as dominant as it was complete. The Tar Heels posted season highs in both points scored (99) and fewest points allowed (51), putting together a wire-to-wire win where every player on the roster saw the floor.
This one was never really in doubt. ECU scored the opening bucket, but UNC responded with a 12-0 run and never looked back.
Just 48 hours removed from an emotional, down-to-the-wire win over Ohio State in Atlanta, the Heels showed no signs of a letdown. Instead, they looked energized, focused, and-most importantly-connected.
Here’s what stood out from Carolina’s final tune-up before ACC play begins.
1. Hubert Davis Might Have Found His Rotation Sweet Spot
There were some raised eyebrows when Luka Bogavac remained in the starting five and Jarin Stevenson shifted to the bench-especially after Bogavac struggled against Ohio State. But Monday night offered a clearer picture of what Davis might be aiming for with this lineup tweak.
Seth Trimble’s continued presence in the rotation has given Carolina a gear that’s tough to match. His pace and defensive intensity allow the Heels to play faster and more aggressively. And when Bogavac is clicking-as he was against ECU-he fits that tempo-driven style better than Stevenson, who’s more of a methodical, versatile piece.
That’s not a knock on Stevenson. In fact, his ability to swing between the four and five makes him a valuable chess piece off the bench. He can spell Henri Veesaar or Caleb Wilson, which helps Davis avoid dipping too deep into the frontcourt rotation with Zayden High or James Brown unless absolutely necessary.
And let’s not overlook the size advantage. When Davis rolls out a frontcourt trio of 6’10” or taller players, it creates matchup problems on both ends. It’s not a look UNC can use all game, but when the moment’s right, it’s a weapon.
2. Free Throws Are Still a Red Flag
If there’s one area where the Tar Heels continue to leave points on the table, it’s at the line. Carolina went just 19-of-30 from the stripe against ECU, and their season average now hovers just above 68%-a mark that places them in the bottom 100 nationally.
It hasn’t bitten them yet. Even against Michigan State, where every possession mattered, the free throw disparity didn’t swing the outcome. But as ACC play ramps up and margins shrink, this could become a real issue.
This isn’t about panic-it’s about preparation. The staff will need to emphasize this in practice and find ways to build confidence at the line. Because when March rolls around, missed free throws can be the difference between a deep run and an early exit.
3. This Team Deserves Its Flowers
It’s easy to nitpick. That’s part of being a fan, especially of a program with Carolina’s expectations. But let’s zoom out for a second.
UNC is 12-1. That’s the program’s best start since the 2008-09 season-a year that ended with a national championship.
And they’ve done it despite missing their best guard for the majority of the schedule. They’ve won the close ones, handled the blowouts, and shown the kind of resilience that’s been missing in recent years.
This team has balance. It has star power.
It has depth. And it has something that can’t be measured in box scores: belief.
With conference play on deck, the real tests are coming. But right now?
Carolina looks like a team that’s not just winning games-they’re building something bigger. Something that could end with another banner in the rafters.