When Ohio State (8-2) steps onto the floor Saturday afternoon in Atlanta to face No. 12 North Carolina (10-1), they won’t just be going up against one of the hottest teams in the country-they’ll be staring down the tallest roster in college basketball.
According to KenPom, UNC’s average height checks in at a towering 79.5 inches, the highest in the nation. That’s not just a fun fact-it’s a real matchup problem for the Buckeyes, who rank 98th in average height.
The Tar Heels bring serious size to the court, starting three players at 6-foot-10 or taller: Jarin Stevenson, Caleb Wilson, and Henri Veesaar. That trio isn’t just tall-they’re skilled, athletic, and productive.
Stevenson, a 6-foot-10 junior transfer from Alabama, is logging 27 minutes a night and playing the small forward spot. Yes, you read that right-a 6-10 small forward. That kind of length on the wing makes life tough for opposing guards and wings trying to create space.
Then there’s Caleb Wilson, a freshman phenom who’s already playing like a seasoned vet. At 6-foot-10, Wilson is putting up 19.5 points and 10.4 boards per game, anchoring the power forward spot with a blend of finesse and physicality. He’s been a matchup nightmare all season.
In the middle, UNC rolls out 7-footer Henri Veesaar, a transfer from Arizona who’s coming off a career-high 26-point outing against Eastern Tennessee State. He’s not just a rim protector-he’s averaging 9.1 rebounds per game and has shown he can finish with touch around the basket.
Ohio State, by contrast, doesn’t have the same size across the board. Christoph Tilly can match Veesaar’s height at 7-foot, but after that, the Buckeyes are giving up inches at almost every position. Brandon Noel (6-foot-8) and Devin Royal (6-foot-6) round out the frontcourt, and while they bring toughness and versatility, they’ll be giving up length against UNC’s front line.
The backcourt matchup also has some intrigue. With senior guard Seth Trimble still sidelined due to a wrist injury suffered in a freak weight room accident, the Tar Heels have turned to freshman guard Luka Bogavac.
At 6-foot-6 and 215 pounds, Bogavac isn’t your typical college freshman-he’s 22 years old and spent four seasons playing professionally in the ABA League overseas before joining UNC. He brings physicality and experience, and could be matched up against Ohio State’s John Mobley Jr., who stands 6-foot-1.
Assuming both teams go position-for-position (which is rarely how it plays out, but it gives us a framework), here’s how the likely starting five match up:
- Bruce Thornton (6-2, 215 lbs) vs. Kyan Evans (6-2, 175 lbs)
- John Mobley Jr. (6-1, 175 lbs) vs. Luka Bogavac (6-6, 215 lbs)
- Devin Royal (6-6, 230 lbs) vs. Jarin Stevenson (6-10, 215 lbs)
- Brandon Noel (6-8, 240 lbs) vs. Caleb Wilson (6-10, 215 lbs)
- Christoph Tilly (7-0, 240 lbs) vs. Henri Veesaar (7-0, 225 lbs)
When you lay it out like that, the physical disparity becomes clear. UNC’s size isn’t just for show-it translates to production, especially on the glass.
The Tar Heels are pulling down 42.1 rebounds per game, compared to Ohio State’s 37.3. And here’s the stat that really pops: North Carolina is 10-0 when they win the rebounding battle.
In their only loss? Michigan State beat them on the boards, 37-30.
But here’s the twist-despite all that size, UNC isn’t swatting shots left and right. Their block rate sits at just 9.7%, ranking 194th nationally.
Only Wilson and Veesaar are averaging more than one block per game. So while they’re not racking up highlight-reel rejections, they’re still making life miserable for opponents inside.
How? By contesting everything.
UNC is holding opponents to just 40.6% shooting on two-point attempts, the third-lowest mark in the country. That’s elite rim and paint defense-without needing to block shots to do it.
And that’s where things could get tricky for Ohio State.
The Buckeyes have been thriving on two-point efficiency this season, shooting 63.1% inside the arc-fifth-best in the nation. So we’ve got strength vs. strength here: Ohio State’s ability to finish inside against UNC’s ability to make those looks as tough as possible. Something’s got to give.
If Ohio State can’t find consistent success near the rim, they’ll need to find answers from beyond the arc. And lately, that’s been a struggle.
Over their last four games, the Buckeyes are shooting just 28.8% from three. Bruce Thornton, who started the season on fire, has cooled off to 36.3% over that stretch.
Mobley is hitting just 28.5% from deep. And Tilly, who was expected to stretch the floor from the five spot, is shooting a rough 12.9% from three on the season (4-for-31).
If those numbers don’t improve-and improve fast-Ohio State could find themselves in trouble against a UNC squad that uses its length to shrink the floor and force tough shots. The Buckeyes will need to knock down perimeter looks to open up driving lanes and keep the Tar Heels honest.
Bottom line: North Carolina brings serious size, elite interior defense, and a rebounding edge into Saturday’s matchup. For Ohio State, it’s going to take sharp shooting, smart ball movement, and a whole lot of grit to flip the script in Atlanta.