UNC Basketball Faces Ohio State in CBS Sports Classic Showdown
The Tar Heels are rolling into Atlanta with momentum and muscle, and on Saturday afternoon, they’ll get a chance to show just how far they’ve come. North Carolina, currently sitting at 10-1 and ranked No. 13 in the USA TODAY Coaches Poll (No. 12 in the AP), is off to its best start since the 2017-18 season.
This weekend, they’ll square off with Ohio State in the CBS Sports Classic at State Farm Arena (3 p.m. ET, CBS), looking to add another signature nonconference win to a résumé that’s already turning heads.
UNC has already knocked off Kansas, Kentucky, and Georgetown - all programs with serious basketball pedigree. Now, they’ll face an Ohio State team that can score in bunches and features one of the most dangerous guards in the country in senior Bruce Thornton. This isn’t just another game - it’s a measuring stick for where the Tar Heels stand heading into the heart of the season.
Caleb Wilson Returns Home With a Dominant Frontcourt
One of the biggest storylines heading into this matchup? Freshman forward Caleb Wilson.
The Atlanta native has been nothing short of a revelation for UNC, averaging 19.5 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. He’s been a double-double machine and a matchup nightmare in the paint.
Saturday marks a homecoming for Wilson, and you can bet he’ll be motivated to put on a show in front of a local crowd.
Wilson is just one half of UNC’s frontcourt powerhouse. The other?
Seven-footer Henri Veesaar, who’s putting up 16.9 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. Together, they’ve been a force - controlling the glass, protecting the rim, and giving opponents fits down low.
The Challenge: Slowing Down Bruce Thornton
But the Tar Heels will have their hands full with Bruce Thornton. The Ohio State senior is averaging 21.8 points and 4.4 assists per game and has been the engine behind the Buckeyes’ high-powered offense. He’s quick, crafty, and confident - the kind of guard who can take over a game if he gets into rhythm.
Slowing him down will be key, and UNC’s backcourt will need to be sharp defensively. That’s where the potential return of senior leader Seth Trimble could be a game-changer.
Seth Trimble Nearing Return
Trimble hasn’t played since Nov. 7 due to a broken left forearm, but after undergoing surgery on Nov. 10 and working through a six-to-eight week recovery, he’s back in 5-on-5 practice. All signs point to him returning against Ohio State - and that’s big.
Trimble’s presence brings experience, toughness, and perimeter defense that could help neutralize Thornton. Before the injury, he was averaging 14.5 points and 5 rebounds per game and had carved out a leadership role on and off the court. His return could give the Tar Heels a major boost in a game that’s likely to be decided by guard play and defensive execution.
Projected Starters
Here’s a look at the expected starting lineups heading into Saturday’s matchup:
North Carolina
- Kyan Evans (6.5 ppg, 4.3 apg)
- Seth Trimble (14.5 ppg, 5 rpg)
- Jarin Stevenson (6.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg)
- Caleb Wilson (19.5 ppg, 10.4 rpg)
- Henri Veesaar (16.9 ppg, 9.1 rpg)
Ohio State
- Bruce Thornton (21.8 ppg, 5 rpg)
- John Mobley Jr. (13.8 ppg, 2.5 apg)
- Devin Royal (13.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg)
- Brandon Noel (8.4 ppg, 4.7 rpg)
- Christoph Tilly (13.8 ppg, 5.9 rpg)
Tale of the Tape
Statistically, this one’s shaping up to be a battle of strengths. Ohio State comes in with one of the most efficient offenses in the country, averaging 87.6 points per game on 51.2% shooting from the field and 34.8% from three. UNC, meanwhile, is holding opponents to just 64.1 points per game and shooting a solid 47.2% from the floor themselves.
The Tar Heels’ defense will be tested, but they’ve shown they can rise to the occasion - especially when their frontcourt is controlling the tempo and the glass.
UNC Team Stats:
- Points per game: 80.7
- Points allowed: 64.1
- FG%: 47.2
- 3PT%: 32.7
- KenPom ranking: 22
Ohio State Team Stats:
- Points per game: 87.6
- Points allowed: 72.9
- FG%: 51.2
- 3PT%: 34.8
- KenPom ranking: 40
Prediction
This is a tough test for UNC. Ohio State has size, scoring, and a star in Thornton, but the Tar Heels have been trending upward all season. With Wilson and Veesaar anchoring the paint, and Trimble potentially back in the fold, North Carolina has the pieces to pull out a win.
The key will be perimeter defense and staying disciplined against a Buckeyes team that likes to push the pace and spread the floor. If UNC can control the tempo and get consistent outside shooting to complement their frontcourt, they’ll be in good shape.
Projected Score: UNC 82, Ohio State 75
What’s Next for the Tar Heels?
After Saturday’s clash in Atlanta, UNC heads back home for a Dec. 22 matchup against ECU before diving into ACC play. Here’s a look at what’s ahead:
Remaining 2025-26 Schedule Highlights:
- Dec. 22: vs.
ECU
- Dec. 30: vs.
Florida State
- Jan. 3: at SMU
- Jan. 10: vs. Wake Forest
- Jan. 14: at Stanford
- Jan. 17: at Cal
- Jan. 21: vs. Notre Dame
- Feb. 7: vs. Duke
- March 7: at Duke
With the conference slate looming, Saturday’s game offers a final chance to sharpen the edges against a high-level opponent. If the Tar Heels can come out of Atlanta with another win, their case as a legitimate contender gets even stronger.