UNC Rises to No. 12 in Coaches Poll After Gritty Win Over Ohio State, Adds Key Quadrant 1 Victory
As the holiday break approaches, North Carolina basketball is heating up at just the right time. The Tar Heels are now sitting at No. 12 in the latest USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, climbing one spot from last week after a hard-fought, one-point win over Ohio State in Atlanta. That victory wasn’t just dramatic-it was meaningful, adding a third Quadrant 1 win to UNC’s NCAA Tournament résumé and giving them real momentum heading into ACC play.
Let’s break it down.
UNC’s Resume Keeps Building
With that win over the Buckeyes, UNC continues to stack quality victories. The Tar Heels now hold a 3-1 record in Quadrant 1 games-highlighted by wins over Kansas at home, Kentucky on the road, and now Ohio State on a neutral floor.
Their only Q1 loss came against Michigan State, also at a neutral site. Add in an 8-0 record across Quadrants 2 through 4, and you’ve got a team quietly putting together a tournament-worthy body of work.
The NCAA’s quadrant system might seem like alphabet soup, but here’s the gist: Quadrant 1 wins are the gold standard. They come against top-tier opponents, and they matter most when Selection Sunday rolls around.
Home games against top-30 teams, neutral-site games against top-50, and road games against top-75? That’s Q1 territory.
And UNC is making the most of those chances.
Seth Trimble Returns, Caleb Wilson Shines in Homecoming
The win over Ohio State wasn’t just about the result-it was about who delivered it.
Senior guard Seth Trimble made his return after a five-week absence due to an arm injury and didn’t miss a beat. He poured in 17 points, providing a steadying presence in the backcourt and showing just how valuable his experience is to this group.
Then there’s freshman forward Caleb Wilson, who continues to look like the real deal. In a bit of a homecoming game, Wilson dropped 20 points and snagged a season-high 15 rebounds. Physical, poised, and productive-he’s quickly becoming one of the Tar Heels’ most reliable contributors.
And let’s not overlook Henri Veesaar. The big man made the go-ahead dunk in crunch time and finished with a double-double: 17 points, 10 rebounds, and a career-high five assists. His versatility and feel for the game give UNC an added dimension in the frontcourt.
What’s Next for the Tar Heels?
Before they dive into the grind of ACC play, UNC has one more non-conference test. They’ll host East Carolina (5-7) on Monday night at the Dean Dome. It’s a game they’re expected to handle, but it’s also a chance to keep the rhythm going before an eight-day break.
Then comes the real test: ACC play begins with Florida State (6-6) coming to Chapel Hill on Dec. 30. League play is where teams separate themselves, and for a UNC squad that’s steadily climbing the rankings, it’s a chance to prove they belong in the national conversation.
Tar Heels Across the Rankings
UNC’s rise isn’t limited to the coaches poll. They’ve also jumped to No. 12 in the AP Top 25, a significant climb from their preseason ranking of No.
- Within the ACC, they’re joined by No.
6 Duke, No. 16 Louisville, and No.
21 Virginia in the AP poll.
In the NCAA’s NET rankings-a key metric used by the selection committee-UNC sits at No. 19. That number reflects their strong Q1 record and perfect mark in the lower quadrants.
On the analytics side, the Tar Heels are holding steady across the board:
- KenPom: 22nd
- Bart Torvik (T-Rank): 21st
- EvanMiya: 23rd
- Haslametrics: 22nd
These models factor in everything from offensive and defensive efficiency to pace and strength of schedule. And while they don’t always align with the human polls, they’re another sign that UNC is trending in the right direction.
Around the ACC and the Nation
The ACC is showing some early-season strength in the national polls. Duke remains undefeated at 10-0 and holds the No. 6 spot in the AP and No. 3 in the coaches poll. Louisville and Virginia are both 9-1 and sitting at No. 14 and No. 21, respectively, in the coaches poll.
At the top of the national rankings, Michigan (10-0) continues to lead the pack, earning 20 first-place votes. Arizona (9-0) follows closely behind with 11 first-place votes, while Iowa State, UConn, and Purdue round out the top five.
Bottom Line
North Carolina is starting to look like a team that’s figuring itself out-and fast. With a strong mix of veteran leadership and emerging young talent, the Tar Heels are building a résumé that could pay dividends in March. The return of Seth Trimble, the rise of Caleb Wilson, and the steady contributions from players like Veesaar give this team multiple ways to win.
They’ve got one more tune-up before conference play begins, but make no mistake: the Tar Heels are back in the national spotlight, and they’ve earned it.