Heel Tough Blog: Ohio State Recap (CBS Sports Classic)
- Joshua Marlow
- 2 minutes ago
- 5 min read
In dramatic fashion, the Tar Heels got past Ohio State, 71-70, to improve to their first 11-1 start since the 2008-09 national championship season. When UNC took an 11-point lead with under 8 minutes to play, it looked like they were going to cruise their way to another Quad 1 win, but give credit to the Buckeyes, and Bruce Thornton, they kept fighting, and took a three-point lead on a four-point play, going up 70-67 with under a minute to play. A nifty layup from Seth Trimble made it a 70-69 game, with about 35 seconds left, when Carolina’s full-court press forced an Ohio State turnover, setting UNC up with a chance to win the game. With less than 10 seconds, Seth Trimble tripped on his way to the basket, but as he did, he found Henri Veesaar all alone, who was able to dunk the basketball home for the 71-70 lead. After advancing the ball past the timeline, Ohio State took a contested three after a timeout, and had its offensive rebound blocked away, giving UNC the win, their third Quad 1 win of the season so far.
In the win over ETSU, it was Henri Veesaar’s turn to carry the load, but tonight it was Caleb Wilson, playing back in his hometown of Atlanta, and he produced a 20-point, 15-rebound, double-double in the win, setting a new career-high in rebounds. But Veesaar made his presence felt, recording another double-double in his own right, scoring 17 points, and grabbing 10 boards. They had help tonight, because Seth Trimble, who returned from injury, added 17 points, including three makes from behind the arc, in a team-high 36 minutes. After having efficient scoring outings against USC Upstate and ETSU, Carolina’s offense was stuck in gear today, shooting just 44% from the field, 30% from behind the arc, and 54% from the foul line. What helped push them over the top? 10 points in transition, which can be attributed to the return of the aforementioned Seth Trimble.
Despite all of Ohio State’s starters scoring in double figures, Carolina held its own defensively, limiting Ohio State to 40% shooting from the field and 20% shooting from the outside. What allowed Ohio State to be so competitive despite an off shooting night was their ability to hang in with Carolina on the glass; both teams grabbed 39 boards, and they were efficient from the foul line, going 16-19. While they struggled to connect from the outside, they did score 38 points in the paint, a number that would’ve seemed too high going into the game, for UNC to emerge victorious.
It wasn’t pretty, and I’m sure the coaching staff was frustrated with how UNC didn’t put the game away, but all that matters is that Tar Heels came away with their second win on a neutral floor, earning their third Quad 1 win of the 2025-26 season. Here’s what to take away from a frantic win over Ohio State in the CBS Sports Classic:
Closing Games: The final 8 minutes weren’t a clinic in how to put a game away, but the final was how 45 seconds were how to complete a comeback. You can’t prove it, but last year’s team probably doesn’t win this game, which shows how different this group is. Despite blowing an 11-point lead and committing a costly foul on a three-point shooter, UNC’s belief never wavered, executing on their final two offensive possessions and defensively, forcing a steal and getting the decisive stop. This is now the second game Carolina has won away from home, and they’ve been able to find a way to win, while not playing their best, and you have to do that in a season as long as the college basketball one.
Caleb Wilson Delivers: You knew Wilson was going to be fired up to play back in front of his hometown, and he didn’t fail to deliver, scoring 20 points, grabbing 15 rebounds, and making big plays down the stretch for his team. He took his game to a different level in the second half, scoring 16 points and grabbing 8 rebounds, on his way to his 8th double-double as a freshman. His efficiency continues to stand out, scoring points on 9-16 shooting, furthering the argument for his name to be the first one mentioned for the best freshman in college basketball.
Trimble Shines in Injury Return: Seth Trimble had missed the last month of action, and his absence was clearly noticeable, especially in transition. That all got cleared up today, as his first 6 points were in transition, on his way to a 17-point performance. UNC has also struggled to break down the defense with the dribble-drive, but on his game-winning assist to Henri Veesaar, that’s exactly what he did, even if he tripped on his own two feet. Before the injury, Trimble was 0-7 from the outside, but today he was 3-5 from the outside, giving Carolina’s perimeter shooting a much-needed boost. His defense on Bruce Thornton was his biggest impact, limiting the veteran guard to 16 points on 7-16 shooting.
Big 3 Carry Carolina in the Second Half: Carolina scored 37 points in the second half, and 35 of them came from Caleb Wilson, Henri Veesarr, and Seth Trimble, the three best players on the roster. Just like in 2023-24, when RJ Davis, Harrison Ingram, and Armando Bacot willed UNC to wins, the three did that today, and it’s why with Trimble back, many believe UNC will round into an ACC and national title contender.
Rotation: With Trimble back, you knew the rotation would look different, including the starting lineup. Hubert Davis opted to start Kyan Evans, Trimble, Luka Bogavac, Caleb Wilson, and Henri Veesaar, moving Jarin Stevenson to the bench. Stevenson, though, still played 27 minutes and grabbed the steal on the penultimate defensive possession. The move of Stevenson to the bench meant no minutes for Zayden High or James Brown, and that should continue as the season moves along. Jonathan Powell played 15 minutes off the bench, followed by 24 minutes for Derek Dixon, who was on the floor in the final minutes over Kyan Evans, who struggled with foul trouble in the second half.
Assists: An underrated aspect of this UNC team is their ability to share the basketball, as they wrapped up 22 assists, on 28 made baskets, led by Veesaar’s 5 assists. Derek Dixon was second on the team with four, as 8 different Tar Heels recorded at least one assist.
Shot Selection: The reason why Carolina failed to put the game away was due to poor shot selection on a night where UNC struggled from the outside. Instead of pounding the ball inside, UNC seemed determined to get the kill shot from the perimeter, where they went just 8-27. When you combine that with a 7-13 night from the foul line, it allows an opponent, like Ohio State, the opportunity to stick around and make it a game when it shouldn’t have been.
Up Next: UNC has a quick turnaround, as they are back in action on Monday night in the Smith Center, as they host ECU in the final non-conference game of the season. Tip is set for 8 PM, on the ACC Network.