By Adam Lucas
Carolina kicked off their game against Florida State slowly but picked up steam to win 79-66. This victory marked their impressive 65-8 record in ACC home openers, and they remain undefeated at the Smith Center this season.
Caleb Wilson had a standout performance, recording 22 points, 16 rebounds, six assists, and two blocks. This was one of his best games yet. He’s the first freshman at UNC to score 20 points in six consecutive games.
While Wilson shined, the rest of the team struggled a bit. Coach Hubert Davis was vocal about their flaws, especially when it came to rebounding. During halftime, former player Marcus Paige praised the coaching staff for their work with Kyan Evans, who made three of his five three-point shots in the first half. Though he faced challenges in the second half, gathering 15 points overall, his potential is clear.
Wilson created a buzz in the first half with breathtaking plays, including an assist to Jonathan Powell for a three-pointer. At one point, the Heels had trouble early on, trailing 7-5, before Wilson exploded with impressive scoring and assists in just a few minutes.
Florida State relied heavily on three-pointers, shooting 12-for-40 from beyond the arc. They attempted many more threes than twos, often baiting Carolina into a similar strategy. Carolina, however, struggled from the arc, making only four of 15 attempts in the first half.
Carolina’s tactical offense shone when Florida State shifted to a zone defense. They effectively worked the ball to Henri Veesaar, who assisted a dunk from Jarin Stevenson. Moreover, UNC minimized mistakes, committing just eight turnovers against a team known for forcing errors.
Veesaar also added to his highlights with a double-double, scoring 12 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. He and Wilson now share a unique record this season, with both achieving double-doubles in same games on seven occasions, a feat only previously matched by a few elite Tar Heel pairs.
The UNC defense excelled, holding Florida State to 34.8 percent shooting. This marks their sixth straight opponent that has failed to hit 40 percent, something they haven’t done since the 2014-15 season.
Looking ahead, Seth Trimble is increasingly becoming a key player, especially in clutch situations. He’s adept at driving to the rim and scoring, which the team will continue to leverage. Trimble ended the game with 20 points and seven rebounds.
A potential competition for minutes is emerging with Jonathan Powell’s rising performance. He played 25 minutes and contributed six points, while Luka Bogavac faced a tough game, not registering any points in just 13 minutes.
Interestingly, this game was the “Happy Blue Year” match, the fifth time UNC has sported blue uniforms at home in the last 35 seasons, adding a unique twist to the occasion.
With this win, Carolina extended their streak against Florida State to seven and boasts a dominant 55-16 all-time record against them. They’ve won 25 of 29 matches against the ‘Noles in Chapel Hill.
As the season progresses, Carolina faces six challenging games against top-ranked opponents. The upcoming match against SMU will test their mettle, as will home games against Wake Forest and the California trip that follows.
These engagements will be a critical benchmark for gauging the team’s growth and resilience as they chase their goals this season.
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