UNC Basketball Closes Nonconference Slate with In-State Clash vs. ECU
The Tar Heels are heading into the holidays with momentum-and a full deck.
No. 12 North Carolina wraps up its nonconference schedule Monday night with an in-state matchup against East Carolina at the Dean E.
Smith Center (8 p.m. ET, ACC Network).
It’s the final tune-up before the grind of ACC play begins, and the Heels are looking to put a bow on what’s been their best 12-game start since the 2008-09 national championship season.
Sitting at 11-1, UNC is ranked 12th in both the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll and the AP Top 25. And for the first time since their early-season showdown with Kansas, head coach Hubert Davis has his full roster available on Roy Williams Court.
Trimble Returns, Tar Heels at Full Strength
One of the biggest developments heading into this matchup? The return of senior guard Seth Trimble. After missing more than a month with a broken forearm, Trimble made his comeback in UNC’s narrow win over Ohio State in Atlanta, pouring in 17 points and providing a much-needed jolt on both ends of the floor.
His return gives the Heels their full rotation for the first time since November 7. That’s big-not just for Monday night, but as a sign of what’s ahead for a team that’s already shown flashes of elite potential.
Wilson and Veesaar Leading the Charge
Freshman forward Caleb Wilson and junior center Henri Veesaar have been the engines for this Tar Heel squad. Wilson is putting up video-game numbers-19.5 points and 10.8 boards per game-and has quickly emerged as one of the most impactful freshmen in the country. Veesaar, meanwhile, is right behind him with 16.9 points and 9.2 rebounds per contest, giving UNC a dynamic one-two punch in the frontcourt.
The duo’s chemistry has been growing with each game, and with Trimble back in the mix, the Heels’ offense has the potential to reach another level.
UNC’s Dominance vs. In-State, Non-ACC Foes
The Tar Heels have made a habit of handling business against in-state opponents who don’t wear ACC patches. In fact, they’ve won 51 straight games against non-ACC teams from North Carolina. That includes four previous meetings with ECU-all wins.
East Carolina comes into this game with a 21.7-point-per-game scorer in senior guard Jordan Riley, who’s fresh off a 31-point outburst in a win over Buffalo. Riley is one of the top scorers in the nation, and he’ll be the focus of UNC’s defensive game plan.
Still, the Pirates have struggled overall, and the numbers back that up. They’re allowing 74.3 points per game while scoring just 68.4, and their shooting splits (40.7% from the field, 25.9% from three) leave a lot to be desired. That’s a tough formula to bring into the Smith Center against a team that’s allowing just 64.6 points per game and shooting 47% from the field.
Projected Starters
Here’s a look at the expected starting lineups:
UNC
- Kyan Evans - 6.0 PPG, 4.2 APG
- Seth Trimble - 15.3 PPG, 4.0 RPG
- Luka Bogavac - 10.8 PPG, 2.9 APG
- Caleb Wilson - 19.5 PPG, 10.8 RPG
- Henri Veesaar - 16.9 PPG, 9.2 RPG
ECU
- Giovanni Emejuru - 13.6 PPG, 9.2 RPG
- Jordan Riley - 21.7 PPG, 5.4 RPG
- Corey Caulker - 7.3 PPG, 2.8 RPG
- Luke Davis - 3.4 PPG, 4.3 RPG
- Tybo Bailey - 9.1 PPG, 2.7 RPG
By the Numbers
UNC’s offensive balance is starting to click. They’re averaging 79.9 points per game while holding opponents to just under 65. Their shooting percentages-47% from the field and 32.5% from deep-are solid, and they’re ranked 22nd in KenPom’s efficiency ratings.
ECU, by contrast, sits at 269 in KenPom and has struggled to find rhythm on offense. The Pirates are shooting just 40.7% from the floor and under 26% from three, which doesn’t bode well against a UNC defense that’s been steadily improving.
What’s Next
After Monday night’s game, UNC gets a well-earned holiday break before jumping into ACC play with a home matchup against Florida State on December 30. From there, it’s a loaded conference slate that includes road trips to SMU, Virginia, and Duke, plus marquee home games against Wake Forest, Syracuse, and the Blue Devils.
But first, the Heels will look to take care of business one more time in 2025-and send their fans into Christmas with another win.