In a thrilling showdown that kept fans on the edge of their seats, No. 17 North Carolina clawed their way to an 87-84 victory over Wake Forest, securing the 500th win in the historic Smith Center. But here's where it gets controversial: Was this a testament to the Tar Heels' resilience, or did Wake Forest simply let the game slip away? Let’s dive in.
The Tar Heels, now 14-2 overall and 2-1 in the ACC, appeared to be in control early, leading by as many as 15 points in the second half. Yet, Wake Forest staged a methodical comeback, cutting the lead to just one point with 4:03 remaining. What happened next? UNC went nearly seven minutes without a field goal, a slump that nearly cost them the game. Seth Trimble’s dunk with 2:59 left finally broke the drought, but the tension was far from over.
And this is the part most people miss: Nate Calmese, who tied for the game-high with 28 points, hit a clutch three-pointer with six seconds left, shrinking UNC’s lead to one yet again. Jarin Stevenson’s two free throws put the Tar Heels back up by three, but Calmese’s last-second heave nearly sent the game into overtime. Was this a heroic effort by Wake Forest, or did UNC simply survive their own mistakes?
The Tar Heels’ frontcourt duo of Caleb Wilson and Henri Veesaar returned to form after a quiet outing against SMU. Wilson posted 22 points and 12 rebounds, while Veesaar led all scorers with 25 points and nine boards. Together, they shot an impressive 17-of-19 from the field. However, Wilson’s second-half performance mirrored his struggles at SMU, as he attempted just two field goals after the break. Is this a pattern worth worrying about, or just a minor hiccup?
In a surprising lineup shift, Jarin Stevenson replaced Luka Bogavac in the starting five for the first time since December 16. Bogavac played only nine minutes, finishing scoreless with two turnovers. Meanwhile, Jaydon Young seized his opportunity in an expanded role, logging a season-high 20 minutes and scoring 12 points. Could Young be the spark UNC needs moving forward?
Looking ahead, the Tar Heels head west for a Wednesday night clash with Stanford, followed by a matchup with Cal on Saturday. Tip-off at Maples Pavilion is set for 9 p.m. ET. But before we move on, let’s ask: Did UNC truly earn this win, or did Wake Forest hand it to them? Share your thoughts in the comments—this debate is far from over!
