In Chapel Hill, the North Carolina Tar Heels have taken a slight dip in the AP Top 25 men's basketball poll, sliding from No. 16 to No. 18.
It’s been a challenging week for the Tar Heels, who suffered a tough 24-point loss to NC State in Raleigh. Missing their top scorers, Caleb Wilson and Henri Veesaar, certainly didn’t help their cause.
Shooting woes plagued UNC as they managed just 32 percent from the field and a mere 16 percent from beyond the arc, leading to an 82-58 defeat against the Wolfpack. Wilson's absence continues due to a fracture in his left hand, but there’s hope he’ll be back before the season wraps up.
On a brighter note, Veesaar made a triumphant return against Syracuse at the JMA Wireless Dome. He led the charge with 19 points, helping the Tar Heels secure a 77-64 victory. Senior captain Seth Trimble also stepped up, shaking off a scoreless first half to contribute 13 points and five rebounds in the second half.
Currently, UNC stands at 21-6 overall and 9-5 in ACC play. They’re the third-highest-ranked team in the ACC, trailing powerhouse No.
1 Duke and No. 11 Virginia, with Louisville rounding out the conference's ranked teams at No.
Looking ahead, the Tar Heels are gearing up for a high-stakes clash against Louisville in a top-25 showdown at the Smith Center. The action tips off at 7 p.m. on ESPN.
They’ll wrap up the week by hosting Virginia Tech on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN2. It’s a crucial stretch for UNC as they look to solidify their standing in the rankings.