UNC Rises to No. 14 in AP Poll After Statement Win Over Georgia Tech, Eyes Massive Week Ahead
CHAPEL HILL - North Carolina is climbing again.
After a convincing 91-75 road win over Georgia Tech, the Tar Heels jumped two spots to No. 14 in this week’s AP Top 25 men’s basketball poll. And if Saturday’s performance in Atlanta is any indication, this team is starting to find its stride at just the right time.
The frontcourt led the charge once again, with freshman forward Caleb Wilson putting on a show in his return to Georgia. Wilson dropped 22 points on an efficient 9-for-15 shooting night, marking his 15th career 20-point game - a new UNC freshman record, passing none other than Tyler Hansbrough’s mark from the 2005-06 season.
That’s not just a stat - that’s a statement. When you’re in the same sentence as Hansbrough in Chapel Hill, you’re doing something right.
But Wilson wasn’t alone. Center Henri Veesaar was everywhere - 20 points, 12 rebounds, four blocks, and a pair of steals.
That’s a full night’s work and then some. Veesaar’s presence in the paint continues to be a difference-maker for this group, and his ability to impact both ends of the floor is giving UNC a serious edge inside.
Veteran guard Seth Trimble added 18 points, bringing his usual mix of toughness and shot-making, while Luka Bogavac chipped in 16. It was a balanced effort, the kind of offensive cohesion that makes this team dangerous when they’re clicking.
Now sitting at 17-4 overall and 5-3 in ACC play, the Tar Heels are entering the stretch run with momentum - and opportunity. Ten regular-season games remain, and eight of them are in the Triangle. That’s a major scheduling advantage for a team looking to solidify its NCAA Tournament seeding and make a push toward the top of the ACC standings.
Speaking of the ACC, UNC is now the second-highest-ranked team in the conference, trailing only No. 4 Duke.
Virginia dropped one spot to No. 18, Clemson climbed from No. 22 to No. 20, and Louisville slipped to No.
- The race is tightening, and every game matters.
This week, though, feels like a turning point.
It starts Monday night at home against Syracuse - a game that might look manageable on paper, but carries the weight of recent history. The Tar Heels have dropped each of their last three mid-week games leading into the Duke matchup.
That’s not a trend they want to continue. Monday’s contest has all the makings of a classic trap game, and UNC knows it can’t afford to look ahead.
Then comes the main event: Saturday night against No. 4 Duke at the Dean Dome, with ESPN’s College GameDay in town and the eyes of the college basketball world locked in.
Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m., and you can expect the atmosphere to be electric. Rivalry games always bring the fire, but this one carries extra weight with both teams ranked in the top 15 and jockeying for ACC supremacy.
For UNC, this week is about more than just rankings. It’s about proving they belong in the national conversation - not just as a tournament team, but as a contender. With Wilson rewriting record books, Veesaar dominating the interior, and a veteran backcourt keeping things steady, the pieces are in place.
Now it’s time to see if they can put it all together when it matters most.