Caleb Wilson and Henri Veesaar were stars for No. 17 North Carolina, combining for 47 points and 21 rebounds in a thrilling 87-84 win against Wake Forest. Their impressive performance was crucial as they faced a strong rally from the Demon Deacons, particularly in the second half.
Wilson showed his skill early, scoring 17 points and grabbing nine rebounds just in the first half. He finished with 22 points and 12 rebounds, marking his 11th double-double. Notably, he now holds the record for the most 20-point games by a Tar Heel freshman since Tyler Hansbrough in 2005-06.
Veesaar also made his mark, scoring 25 points—his fourth game this season with over 20 points. With his offensive talent and ability to contribute nine rebounds and four assists, he proved vital to the team’s success.
In a strong supporting role, Jaydon Young added a season-high 12 points, showcasing his growing confidence as a sophomore. “I’m not a freshman anymore,” he remarked after the game, reflecting on his improved handling of high-pressure situations.
Head coach Hubert Davis highlighted Young’s readiness to step up when needed. “Your job is to be prepared,” he emphasized. Young did just that, proving critical as the team fought hard to maintain their lead late in the game.
The Tar Heels had built a solid 15-point lead in the second half. However, they struggled to score for over six minutes, allowing Wake Forest to close the gap to just one point. In the tense final minutes, UNC managed to keep their composure, with key free throws from Seth Trimble and Jarin Stevenson preserving the win.
For Wake Forest, Juke Harris and Nate Calmese each scored 28 points, bringing significant competition but ultimately falling short. The Demon Deacons’ accuracy improved in the second half, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Carolina’s first-half lead.
This victory marked Carolina’s 500th win in the Smith Center, which opened in 1986. The Tar Heels have an impressive home record of 500-90, including a solid performance against ACC rivals.
As the season progresses, North Carolina continues to gain momentum, now holding a 14-2 record—their best start since the 2015-16 season. With valuable wins under their belt, including this recent triumph, they are poised for an exciting rest of the season.
Fun Fact: The Tar Heels have had remarkable success at home, winning 10 consecutive games against Wake Forest at the Smith Center. As they look ahead, fans will be eager to see how they perform on their upcoming road trip to California, facing Stanford and Cal.
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