UNC Handles Pitt Behind Backcourt Surge, Zayden High’s Breakout, and Turnover Edge
The Dean Smith Center had an odd vibe to it on Saturday. With Henri Veesaar ruled out before tipoff, there was a noticeable unease in the building.
And given how Jeff Capel’s Pitt teams have played spoiler in Chapel Hill before, that anxiety wasn’t unfounded. But when the dust settled, North Carolina walked away with a 79-65 win - a result that looked a lot more comfortable than it felt early on.
With two key bigs missing, it was a true “next man up” moment for the Tar Heels. And several players answered the call in a big way. Let’s dig into the three biggest takeaways from a win that helped UNC avoid what could’ve been a serious blemish on their resume.
1. Trimble and Bogavac Took Over the Backcourt
When you’re missing your top post presence, the paint can open up - and Seth Trimble took full advantage. The sophomore guard didn’t hesitate to attack, living at the rim and drawing contact all afternoon.
He poured in 19 points on 5-of-13 shooting, but where he really made his mark was at the free throw line, hitting 9-of-11. That kind of aggression was exactly what UNC needed with the frontcourt thinned out.
Right alongside him was Luka Bogavac, who delivered one of his most assertive performances of the season. Bogavac finished with 15 points and knocked down three triples, showing a level of confidence and decisiveness that had been missing in recent outings. It was his most aggressive showing since the season opener against Radford, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
With Veesaar and Jalen Washington both sidelined, Hubert Davis needed his guards to shoulder more of the load - and Trimble and Bogavac didn’t just step up, they set the tone.
2. Zayden High Seized His Moment
Let’s be honest - Zayden High’s minutes this season have been a mixed bag. At one point, his plus-minus was deep in the red, and his role had been limited for good reason. So when he was announced as the starter in place of Veesaar, there was understandable concern.
But High didn’t just hold his own - he had the best game of his young career.
The freshman forward finished with 15 points on 7-of-11 shooting, added seven rebounds, dished out two assists, and - maybe most impressively - didn’t commit a single turnover. He played with poise, made smart reads in the halfcourt, and gave UNC a steady presence in a game that could’ve easily gone sideways without it.
Defensively, there’s still work to be done. He had his moments of struggle on that end, but he wasn’t a liability - and that’s a win in itself given the stakes. What we saw was a player who looked comfortable, confident, and ready to contribute when his number was called.
Is this performance repeatable? That remains to be seen. But for one afternoon, High showed exactly why the coaching staff has kept faith in his development.
3. Turnovers Told the Story
Without Veesaar and Washington, rebounding was always going to be a challenge. And it was - Pitt won the battle on the glass 32-27. But UNC made up for it in another crucial area: ball security.
The Tar Heels turned the ball over just four times all game. Pitt, meanwhile, coughed it up 12 times - and UNC made them pay, converting those into 12 points. The Panthers, by contrast, managed just four points off UNC’s few miscues.
That kind of turnover margin can swing a game, especially when you’re down key frontcourt pieces. The Heels didn’t dominate the boards, but they made sure to maximize every possession and limit Pitt’s chances to capitalize on mistakes.
Now, let’s be clear: Pitt is struggling this season. Their sloppiness played a role in the turnover gap. But credit where it’s due - UNC’s guards were active in the passing lanes, the team communicated well defensively, and they took care of the ball on the other end.
In short, they did the little things right - and that was more than enough to secure a double-digit win in a game that could’ve gone the other way.
Final Word
This wasn’t a perfect performance by any stretch, but it was a resilient one. With two big men out, UNC leaned on its backcourt, got a breakout game from a freshman forward, and won the possession battle by playing smart, efficient basketball. That’s the kind of depth and adaptability that good teams need in February.
And for a team with big aspirations, this was a strong reminder that even when the lineup changes, the standard doesn’t have to.