Even without their two best players, North Carolina looked every bit like a top-15 team on Saturday.
No Caleb Wilson. No Henri Veesaar. No problem - at least for one afternoon in Chapel Hill.
The Tar Heels, ranked No. 11, handled Pitt 79-65 in a game that felt even more lopsided than the final score. This wasn’t just a win - it was a blueprint for how UNC can survive, and maybe even thrive, while Wilson recovers from a fractured left hand and Veesaar works his way back from illness.
Let’s break down what we saw - and what it means moving forward.
Adjusting on the Fly: New Faces, New Roles, Same Result
This was a different kind of Carolina win. No dominant frontcourt.
No second-chance avalanche. Instead, it was the backcourt and wings stepping up - and stepping in - to fill the void.
Luka Bogavac, the international junior who had been coming off the bench, made the most of his return to the starting lineup. He poured in 15 points, dished out four assists, and gave UNC a much-needed jolt of individual shot creation.
With Wilson out, UNC needs someone who can break down a defense and create his own look. Bogavac looked ready for that challenge.
And then there was Jarin Stevenson. The Alabama transfer didn’t force a thing.
He let the game come to him, and the result was a hyper-efficient 19 points on just seven shots. Three made threes, four-for-four at the line, and - maybe most impressively - zero turnovers in 36 minutes.
That’s the kind of poised, mistake-free performance that wins games in February.
Can Stevenson and Bogavac consistently bring that level of production? That’s the question. But on Saturday, they answered the call.
Life Without Wilson and Veesaar: The Offensive Glass Takes a Hit
One of the trademarks of this UNC team all year has been its ability to create second-chance points. With Wilson and Veesaar crashing the boards, the Tar Heels have ranked in the top quarter nationally in offensive rebounding.
But without that duo? The drop-off was real.
UNC managed just six offensive rebounds on 32 missed shots - an 18.8% offensive rebound rate, their second-lowest of the season. That’s a major dip from their usual production, and it’s not hard to see why. Wilson’s motor and Veesaar’s length are a big part of what made that work.
So what does that mean moving forward? Shot selection becomes even more important.
Without those extra possessions, UNC will need to be more efficient with their first looks. The margin for error shrinks when you’re not getting second chances.
Derek Dixon: Steady, Smart, and In Control
When the offensive glass dries up, ball security becomes even more valuable. And Derek Dixon, the freshman guard, delivered exactly what UNC needed.
Seven assists. One turnover. Clean, controlled, and composed.
Dixon didn’t just take care of the ball - he orchestrated the offense. He found the hot hand, made the extra pass, and consistently put his teammates in position to succeed. One of those teammates was Zayden High, who finished with a career-high 15 points, thanks in large part to Dixon setting him up for clean looks.
With Wilson out, UNC needs every possession to count. Dixon’s ability to steer the offense without mistakes is a huge asset right now.
The Paint Battle: A Mixed Bag
Defensively, the Tar Heels had some issues inside - and that’s putting it mildly.
Pitt scored 34 points in the paint and went 13-for-20 at the rim. Cam Corhen gave UNC problems all afternoon, knocking down pick-and-pop jumpers early and then going to work inside on his way to 23 points. Roman Siulepa also had his moments, finishing with 14 points on just 10 shots.
UNC’s interior defense, without Veesaar or Wilson, just didn’t have the same bite. Zayden High and Jarin Stevenson were the primary rim protectors, and while they gave effort, the size and length just weren’t there to consistently deter Pitt at the basket.
The good news? Help is on the way.
Veesaar is expected back for Tuesday’s rivalry game at NC State. His return won’t solve everything, but it will give UNC a legitimate 7-footer who can protect the rim and move his feet on the perimeter. That’s a massive lift for a defense that’s been stretched thin.
The Road Ahead
UNC’s next three games - against NC State, Syracuse, and Louisville - don’t feature the kind of dominant big men who can punish them inside like Corhen did. That gives the Tar Heels a chance to tread water while Wilson recovers.
But make no mistake: this stretch is going to test them.
They’ll need more of what they got Saturday - efficient scoring from Stevenson, playmaking from Bogavac, steady control from Dixon, and enough defense to keep teams honest. Veesaar’s return will help, but this is a team that’s going to have to win a little differently for the time being.
And if Saturday was any indication, they’re up for the challenge.