By Adam Lucas
Carolina needed a boost and got it with a strong win over Notre Dame, finishing 91-69.
In this game, coach Hubert Davis switched things up by starting Jaydon Young instead of Jarin Stevenson. Young, who had experience starting at Virginia Tech, struggled with fouls and only played 14 minutes.
One of the highlights was Carolina’s domination in the frontcourt. Caleb Wilson and Henri Veesaar combined for 37 points and 19 rebounds. Both players had plenty of energy, notching around 30 minutes on the court. Veesaar stood out with a plus-minus of +30, showing just how impactful he was.
Carolina was aggressive in the second half, aiming for closer shots. They made 18 of 26 two-pointers, with Veesaar kicking things off strong. He contributed with a couple of baskets and even made a great defensive play by blocking a shot and saving the ball off an Irish player.
However, Davis might have some concerns about Carolina’s rebounding. Notre Dame snatched 18 offensive boards, though they turned that into only 13 points. Carson Towt grabbed five of those rebounds.
Caleb Wilson showcased his skills, scoring in multiple ways. He hit turnaround jumpers, drained a three-pointer, and even executed a slick spin move for a dunk. He also led the team with five assists, keeping the crowd on their toes with an impressive breakaway dunk.
In the first half, Notre Dame steered Carolina toward outside shooting. The Heels fired off 15 three-pointers early, making six. They adjusted toward the end of the half, scoring six points in the paint compared to just six in the previous 15 minutes. Overall, Carolina took 34 threes, landing 13, with eight players hitting at least one—tying a school record.
Ball control was a theme, with both teams committing few turnovers. Notre Dame had just five, while Carolina managed eight. Despite some struggles in forcing turnovers, Carolina held Notre Dame to a solid 36% shooting percentage. They had recently been allowing opponents nearly 54% shooting, making this a positive sign.
Interestingly, this game coincided closely with the 40th anniversary of the Smith Center. Staff members who have been there since the first game were honored, making the win feel even more special.
Now, Carolina looks ahead to challenge Virginia, aiming to extend their winning streak against Notre Dame to six games.
In recent college basketball trends, teams are focusing on inside plays, a strategy Carolina successfully utilized. Coaches emphasize a balanced offense with both perimeter and paint scoring, which seems to be working for the Tar Heels. This game serves as a reminder of how important versatility is on the court.
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