UNC Looks to Bounce Back Against Pitt After Disappointing Loss in Miami
College basketball seasons are roller coasters - and right now, North Carolina is feeling the drop.
Just days removed from an emotional high, knocking off a one-loss Duke squad in one of their best performances of the season, the Tar Heels followed it up with a flat, disjointed showing in Miami. That loss snapped a five-game win streak and raised more questions than answers heading into Saturday’s matchup with a feisty Pitt team.
Yes, Pitt is sitting at the bottom of the ACC standings. But if you’ve followed this rivalry in recent years, you know the Panthers aren’t exactly pushovers when it comes to facing Carolina. Jeff Capel’s group has taken six of the last 10 meetings - and they always seem to bring an edge when they see Carolina blue.
Let’s break down what to watch as the Tar Heels look to get back on track in Chapel Hill.
1. Reclaiming the Paint
The most glaring issue in Tuesday’s loss? UNC’s defense around the rim. Miami didn’t just win the battle inside - they dominated it.
The Hurricanes shot a blistering 73% on shots near the basket, going 19-for-26 in the paint. Eighteen of those points came in the first eight minutes alone. That kind of early success set the tone, and Carolina never really recovered.
Henri Veesaar, who’s been key in anchoring the frontcourt, found himself in foul trouble in the second half. He picked up his fourth foul just as the Tar Heels had trimmed the deficit to three - and his absence down the stretch was felt. After the game, Veesaar pointed to a lack of ball pressure and physicality as reasons Miami got so comfortable inside.
That has to change Saturday, especially with Pitt’s physical forward Cameron Corhen looming. Corhen is a bruiser - the kind of player who thrives on contact, hits the glass hard, and gets to the line.
He’s a big reason Pitt ranks third in the ACC in offensive rebounds per game and fifth in offensive rebound percentage. If UNC doesn’t bring the fight in the paint, Corhen will make them pay.
The status of Pitt’s leading scorer, Brandin Cummings, remains uncertain due to an ankle injury. But even without him, Pitt has enough muscle inside to cause problems.
2. Frontcourt Firepower Needed
Carolina’s frontcourt trio of Jarin Stevenson, Henri Veesaar, and Caleb Wilson were the only Tar Heels to crack double digits in scoring against Miami. That’s telling - and not in a good way.
Wilson, who’s been dealing with an injury, didn’t look like himself, and the team clearly missed his usual impact. Meanwhile, the backcourt struggled to find any rhythm.
Seth Trimble couldn’t buy a bucket, going 0-for-5 from the field and scoring just four points from the free-throw line. Derek Dixon had a night to forget as well, shooting 1-for-9 and missing all six of his three-point attempts.
There were a couple of bright spots: Jonathan Powell stepped up with five points and five boards in extended minutes, and Kyan Evans provided a spark off the bench with eight points and four assists. But overall, the offense lacked cohesion - especially in the second half, where poor shot selection and stagnant ball movement stalled any momentum.
This team has shown flashes of being elite, but they’ve also struggled to string together consistent stretches. The frontcourt has often been the engine, and when that group struggles, the whole system sputters.
3. Tempo, Tempo, Tempo
Pitt’s game plan will be no secret: slow things down, grind it out, and limit possessions.
Fifth-year guard Damarco Minor is the key to that approach. His job is to control the pace, feed Corhen in the post, and keep Carolina from turning the game into a track meet.
Pitt ranks near the bottom of the ACC in scoring, so they’re not built for a shootout. They want a half-court battle.
That’s exactly what Miami did on Tuesday - and it worked. The Hurricanes threw traps at Caleb Wilson, disrupted Carolina’s rhythm, and turned the game into a slog. Expect Pitt to pull from that same playbook.
If UNC falls into another second-half shooting slump, Pitt’s slow pace could make it tough to recover. Fewer possessions mean fewer chances to climb back in.
So what’s the answer? Push the tempo.
Get out in transition. Force the issue.
Carolina has the athletes and the depth to wear teams down, but only if they play with urgency. That starts on defense - creating turnovers, getting stops, and turning them into fast-break opportunities.
Bottom Line
This is one of those gut-check games for the Tar Heels. The loss in Miami was a reminder that talent alone won’t carry them through the ACC grind. It’s about intensity, effort, and execution - especially on the defensive end.
Pitt may be at the bottom of the standings, but they’re not a team you can sleepwalk through. Carolina needs to bring a full 40 minutes - not just flashes - if they want to avoid another letdown.
Saturday’s matinee in Chapel Hill isn’t just about bouncing back. It’s about proving this team can handle adversity, respond to a punch, and stay locked in from tip to buzzer.