Carolina’s Tough Night Against NC State
RALEIGH—Carolina faced a tough loss on Tuesday, falling to NC State 82-58. They played without key players Caleb Wilson and Henri Veesaar, which added to their challenges.
Coach Hubert Davis expressed his disappointment in the team’s effort. They struggled to keep up, trailing by double digits for most of the game. This marked the first time since last year that Carolina faced a double-digit deficit for an entire half.
Zayden High stood out, recording his first college double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Jarin Stevenson also did well, contributing 13 points and nine rebounds. However, overall, the rest of the Tar Heels struggled, and a tough film session awaits them when they regroup on Thursday.
NC State, on the other hand, scored easily. Without Wilson and Veesaar to guard the paint, the Wolfpack took advantage and often isolated their best scorers. Carolina’s strategy seemed misguided, relying heavily on three-point shots, with 33 out of 60 attempts coming from beyond the arc. They only made five, hitting a disappointing 15.2%. A better performance from three-point range could have kept the game competitive.
Davis noted that the Wolfpack’s defense was overwhelming. His team lacked the physical presence needed, and producing good shots was challenging outside of High and Stevenson.
Historically, Carolina has dominated this rivalry, so this defeat stings even more. The team was built around their missed players, and without them, they seemed off-balance.
The immediate priority is to recover from injuries, but the team will need to make significant improvements ahead of their next game against Syracuse. Coach Davis emphasized the need for hard work during practice days to bounce back stronger.
As fans discuss the game online, many express frustration over the team’s performance and injuries, hoping for a quick recovery and turnaround. According to a recent Sports Illustrated survey, around 60% of fans felt the Tar Heels could improve if they regroup after this challenging stretch.
For more insights on the team’s performance, you can check out the detailed analysis from NCAA.com.
