Tar Heels Catch Fire Early, Cruise Past Pitt Despite Missing Key Players
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - North Carolina didn’t waste any time reminding the ACC why they’re still a force to be reckoned with. Even without two of their top contributors, the 11th-ranked Tar Heels came out blazing, hitting their first eight shots en route to a wire-to-wire 79-65 win over Pitt on Saturday afternoon at the Dean E. Smith Center.
The Tar Heels were missing standout freshman Caleb Wilson and second-leading scorer Henri Veesaar, but you wouldn’t have known it from the opening tip. UNC opened the game with a 16-5 run in under five minutes, burying Pitt in a hole it never managed to climb out of. That early burst set the tone, and while Pitt made a few pushes, North Carolina never let the game get uncomfortable.
Depth Delivers for UNC
This was a game that showed off Carolina’s depth. With two big names sidelined, others stepped up in a big way.
Jarin Stevenson, who typically averages just over seven points per game, erupted for a season-high 19. His confidence was evident early, and his ability to stretch the floor gave Pitt’s defense fits.
He wasn’t alone. Four Tar Heels finished in double figures, with a pair adding 15 points each.
While Carolina cooled off late in the first half-missing eight of their final nine shots before the break-they had already built enough of a cushion to keep Pitt at arm’s length. The Panthers never got closer than 10 in the second half.
Corhen Keeps It Close (For a While)
If there was a bright spot for Pitt, it was Cameron Corhen. The big man tied his season-high with 23 points, matching his output from the season opener. He did most of his damage in the first half, scoring 17 before the break and keeping Pitt within striking distance when the game could’ve slipped away early.
But the help just wasn’t there. Roman Siulepa chipped in 14, and Barry Dunning added 10, but Pitt couldn’t generate enough consistent offense to threaten the Tar Heels down the stretch. Despite shooting a better percentage overall and winning the rebounding battle, the Panthers couldn’t overcome Carolina’s balance and early punch.
Minor’s Marathon
Pitt senior point guard Damarco Minor had an unforgettable 24 hours. On Friday night, he was listed as questionable.
By Saturday morning, he was a new dad-his girlfriend gave birth at 1:24 a.m. Minor caught a flight and made it to the arena just an hour before tipoff.
He didn’t start, but still logged 27 gritty minutes off the bench, finishing with three points, seven rebounds, and an assist. It wasn’t a stat-stuffing performance, but considering the circumstances, it was a gutsy effort from a player clearly playing with a lot on his mind-and heart.
Pitt’s Slide Continues
This loss drops Pitt to 9-17 on the season and 2-11 in ACC play. It’s the team’s fifth straight defeat and puts them in a tight spot historically.
Since 1950, Pitt has had 17 or more losses in a season just 15 times-four of those under current head coach Jeff Capel. With only five games left, the Panthers would need to go 3-2 to avoid hitting the 20-loss mark for just the fifth time in program history.
What’s Next
Pitt gets a bit of a breather before returning to action next Saturday, February 21, for a home matchup against Notre Dame. The Irish, who beat Georgia Tech earlier in the day, sit at 12-14 overall and 3-10 in ACC play-just one game ahead of Pitt in the standings. With both teams fighting to stay out of the basement and earn a spot in next month’s ACC Tournament in Charlotte, that one could have some real implications.
For North Carolina, the win moves them to 20-5 on the season-a milestone that speaks to their consistency and depth. If Saturday was any indication, this team doesn’t just rely on stars. They’re built to withstand adversity, and that’s the kind of trait that wins games in March.