UNC Handles Business in Atlanta, Rolls Past Georgia Tech 91-75
ATLANTA - North Carolina didn’t just show up in Atlanta - the Tar Heels made a statement.
From the opening tip at a sold-out McCamish Pavilion, No. 16 UNC took control and never really let go, cruising to a 91-75 win over Georgia Tech in a game that was all but decided by halftime. The Tar Heels led for all but 26 seconds and played with the kind of urgency and polish you want to see from a ranked team on the road in conference play.
And leading the charge? Caleb Wilson, who turned his second homecoming into a highlight reel.
Wilson, Veesaar Set the Tone
Wilson was dynamic from the jump. Whether he was finishing alley-oops with jaw-dropping athleticism or knocking down jumpers from all over the floor, he looked every bit the star UNC needs him to be. He finished with 22 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, a block, and a steal - and that stat line still doesn’t quite capture just how in control he was.
Henri Veesaar, meanwhile, was a force in the paint. The big man poured in 20 points to go along with 12 rebounds, 4 blocks, and 2 steals.
He was a constant presence on both ends - fundamentally sound, physically imposing, and relentless on the glass. His ability to clean up misses and protect the rim gave UNC a steady interior anchor all afternoon.
Offense Clicking, Defense Still a Work in Progress
UNC’s offense was humming. The Tar Heels moved the ball well - six different players had assists early - and shot with confidence.
They attempted 17 threes in the first half alone, spreading the floor and forcing Georgia Tech to scramble. At one point, eight different Tar Heels had launched a three, and the variety of offensive contributions kept the Yellow Jackets guessing.
Caleb Wilson found his rhythm midway through the first half, scoring 10 of UNC’s 12 points during a stretch where he scored from just about every spot on the floor. His corner three, followed by a fast-break finish, helped UNC stretch its lead and set the tone for the rest of the night.
By halftime, the Tar Heels were up 52-37, and it felt like they were in full control - even though head coach Hubert Davis probably wasn’t thrilled with the defensive effort.
Georgia Tech found some open looks, especially from beyond the arc, and UNC had a few lapses that led to wide-open threes. Davis called a timeout early in the second half after back-to-back defensive breakdowns, clearly trying to refocus his group. The Yellow Jackets weren’t able to capitalize much, but against better teams, those lapses could be costly.
Trimble, Bogavac Provide a Spark
Seth Trimble brought energy off the bench, finishing with 15 points and making a big impact around the rim. He strung together back-to-back tough finishes in the second half that helped UNC keep its foot on the gas. Luka Bogavac also looked increasingly comfortable as the game wore on, finishing with 13 points and showing flashes of his scoring potential.
Those secondary contributions are key for UNC, especially on the road. When the stars are doing their thing and the supporting cast chips in with timely buckets, this team becomes a tough out.
Forcing Turnovers, Turning Them Into Points
One of the biggest differences in this game? Turnovers.
UNC scored 18 points off Georgia Tech’s mistakes - the Yellow Jackets, meanwhile, didn’t generate a single point off Tar Heel turnovers. That kind of disparity speaks to both UNC’s defensive pressure and its ability to capitalize in transition.
The Heels were composed with the ball, too. They didn’t commit a turnover until well into the first half, and that clean play helped them build - and maintain - a double-digit cushion.
A Win That Checks the Right Boxes
This was a game UNC needed to win - and needed to win convincingly. And that's exactly what happened. The Tar Heels looked like the better team from start to finish, and while there are still things to clean up defensively, this was a performance that reinforces their standing as one of the ACC’s top contenders.
With Wilson and Veesaar leading the way, and a supporting cast that’s starting to find its rhythm, UNC is showing signs of a team that’s rounding into form at the right time.