CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The fortunes of North Carolina were veering toward yet another setback against the esteemed Kansas squad, falling behind following an unsteady initial period defined by miscues and a sluggish offensive showing.
Bursting forth from the halftime break with revitalizing vigor and a newfound intensity dramatically reshaped the trajectory, both for the contest on Friday night and in affirming Hubert Davis’ revamping of the squad after the Tar Heels barely qualified for last year’s NCAA tournament.
In the end, the Tar Heels, positioned at 25th in the rankings, cruised to an 87-74 triumph over the 19th-ranked Jayhawks, fueled by significant plays from a standout freshman, a prominent big man acquired through the transfer portal, and a returning senior, who embraced the demanding defensive task of containing Kansas’ stellar freshman, Darryn Peterson.
Struggling with a 10-point deficit in the first half and trailing 37-29 at the intermission, North Carolina impressively converted 18 of 23 attempts after halftime, achieving a shooting accuracy of 24 of 36 (66.7%) in the second half to amass 58 points against Bill Self’s Jayhawks.
“It validates [Davis’] ideas and the perspective that he possessed,” stated Seth Trimble, who amassed 13 of his 17 points after halftime while spearheading the defensive measures against Peterson. “It alleviates some initial pressure from him, securing a significant victory like this. And it instills confidence not only in him but also in the entire team as we progress into the remainder of the season.”
This represented the type of encounter that had eluded the Tar Heels with increasing frequency lately. UNC had succumbed to defeat in eight of nine clashes against AP Top 25-ranked teams in the previous season, including a showdown at Kansas where the Jayhawks squandered a 20-point advantage but managed to persevere down the stretch.
Securing a victory against Kansas during the opening week, bolstered by enthusiastic fan participation in a “whiteout” event largely initiated by a social media post from freshman sensation Caleb Wilson, marked a notable shift. It signified UNC’s inaugural triumph against Kansas since November 2002, during Matt Doherty’s tenure as coach against Jayhawks coach Roy Williams — prior to Williams’ return to his alma mater to assume leadership of the Tar Heels the following season.
The Jayhawks had dominated with five consecutive victories in the series between these programs, boasting a combined total of 10 NCAA titles. This streak encompasses the 2022 national championship game in Davis’ inaugural season, the 2012 NCAA Elite Eight, and the 2008 Final Four, where Kansas notably established a commanding 40-12 lead.
“I aspired for this fresh team, this new assembly, to gain firsthand exposure to the ambiance of competing in a game of this magnitude within the Smith Center, and to deliver a noteworthy performance,” Davis remarked. “I simply desired for them to experience the essence of being here.”
Wilson, a multifaceted 6-10 forward who, alongside Peterson, introduced the prospect of potential “one-and-done” NBA freshmen to this contest, concluded with 24 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals in an impressive display from start to finish. This encompassed exhibiting finesse with multiple fading turnaround shots, as well as preserving his exuberant vitality, ranging from diving for loose balls to signaling the concluding moments of the game by prompting the crowd for more vocal support.
“I am driven to impress my coach, I aspire to impress the world,” Wilson affirmed. “I am determined to ensure that the world recognizes who I am.”
Henri Veesaar, a 7-foot Arizona transfer, punctuated a feed from Kyan Evans with a dunk and subsequently capitalized on a missed 3-point attempt from Wilson with another dunk to ignite UNC’s second-half surge. Veesaar concluded with 20 points and outmaneuvered KU big man Flory Bidunga (eight points).
Then there was Trimble, the 6-3 fourth-year returnee who transitioned from a marginal presence in the first half to a driving force as UNC asserted command over the second-half tempo. He executed consecutive scores that accelerated the pace, prompting Self to initially wave his hands in frustration and subsequently utilize a swift timeout merely two minutes into the half.
However, Self acknowledged Trimble’s defensive prowess in containing Peterson, who amassed 22 points on 8-for-14 shooting. Davis also highlighted that Trimble maintained his composure after the team adjusted its defensive strategy to discontinue switching, thereby entrusting perimeter players to defend their assignments individually.
“He shadowed Darryn with an intensity that, in my estimation, was exceptional,” Self commented. “Caleb was arguably the premier player in the game. Nonetheless, a compelling case can be presented for Henri and for Seth as well.
“The manner in which [Trimble] guarded Darryn, maintaining close proximity, even though Darryn attempted 14 shots, suggested a scenario where he potentially needed to attempt 20 or 22 [to secure victory].”
Davis arrived for his postgame press briefing attired in warmup apparel instead of his customary sideline attire of a sportscoat and slacks. He was compelled to change following the players’ celebratory dousing of water in the locker room.
“I might not recall the precise score, but I will certainly remember them reveling in the locker room,” Davis reflected. “I will cherish the smiles adorning their faces.”
