The Tar Heels are stepping into a new chapter this Saturday - one without their star freshman Caleb Wilson - as they host Pitt at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill (2 p.m. ET, ESPN). With Wilson sidelined due to a fracture in his left hand, UNC will have to adjust on the fly and find new ways to generate offense and control the glass.
Life Without Caleb Wilson Begins
Wilson had been a cornerstone for the Heels through the first 24 games of the season, averaging 19.8 points and 9.4 rebounds per contest. That’s not just production - that’s identity.
His absence leaves a massive void in both scoring and rebounding, and there’s currently no timetable for his return. For a team with ACC title aspirations and March Madness expectations, the timing couldn’t be trickier.
UNC’s Home Dominance Faces a Test
At 19-5 overall and 7-4 in ACC play, UNC still holds a strong position in the conference standings. Ranked No. 13 in the Coaches Poll and No. 11 in the AP Top 25, the Tar Heels have been nearly untouchable at home - a perfect 14-0 at the Smith Center heading into Saturday. That home-court advantage will be critical as they try to rebound from a tough road loss at Miami.
Pitt, meanwhile, comes in struggling. At 9-16 overall and just 2-10 in the ACC, the Panthers haven’t found much rhythm this season.
On paper, this is the most favorable matchup left on UNC’s regular-season schedule. But as every coach will tell you - especially in February - there are no guarantees.
Henri Veesaar’s Status Up in the Air
Adding to the uncertainty, starting center Henri Veesaar is a game-time decision. He’s been dealing with an illness, and the team is also monitoring a lower-body issue.
Veesaar has been a steady force in the middle, averaging 16.4 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 assists per game. If he’s unable to go, UNC will be without its top two frontcourt contributors - a major challenge against a Pitt team that features some size and physicality.
Projected Starting Lineups
Assuming Veesaar is available, UNC’s likely starting five features:
- Derek Dixon (5.8 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 2.5 apg)
- Seth Trimble (13.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.6 apg)
- Luka Bogavac (9.6 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 2.4 apg)
- Jarin Stevenson (7.2 ppg, 3.7 rpg)
- Henri Veesaar (16.4 ppg, 9 rpg, 2 apg)
Pitt counters with:
- Damarco Minor (9.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 3.5 apg)
- Roman Siulepa (10.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg)
- Omari Witherspoon (7.4 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.2 apg)
- Barry Dunning (11.7 ppg, 5.5 rpg)
- Cameron Corhen (12 ppg, 7.2 rpg)
The Numbers Game
Statistically, UNC holds the edge in nearly every major category:
- Points per game: UNC 81.9 | Pitt 70.1
- Points allowed: UNC 70.7 | Pitt 71.5
- Field goal percentage: UNC 47.7% | Pitt 43.2%
- Three-point percentage: UNC 34.4% | Pitt 33%
- NET ranking: UNC 25 | Pitt 124
Those numbers tell the story of two teams on very different trajectories. But again, the X-factor here is how UNC responds to playing without Wilson - and potentially without Veesaar.
What’s at Stake
For UNC, this is about more than just one win. It’s about setting a tone for the stretch run. With key ACC matchups still on the horizon - including road trips to NC State and Syracuse, plus a regular-season finale at Duke - every game matters for seeding, momentum, and confidence.
For Pitt, this is a chance to play spoiler and build some pride in a tough season. They’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain by knocking off a ranked team on the road.
UNC’s Remaining Schedule
Here’s a quick look at what’s ahead for the Tar Heels:
- Feb. 17: at NC State
- Feb. 21: at Syracuse
- Feb. 23: vs. Louisville (7 p.m., ESPN)
- Feb. 28: vs. Virginia Tech
- March 3: vs. Clemson
- March 7: at Duke
The bottom line? Saturday’s game may not feature the full-strength Tar Heels, but it’s still a critical one. How UNC adapts without Wilson - and possibly without Veesaar - could tell us a lot about what this team is made of heading into March.