Heel Tough Blog: Radford Recap

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In their first game without senior guard Seth Trimble, Carolina earned a workman-like win over 89-74, in a game that featured way too many foul calls and way too many missed free throws. In his absence, Hubert Davis started Luka Bogavac, giving Carolina four starters at least 6-6 or taller. After another slow start shooting the basketball, Bogavac ended up leading the team in scoring, with 19 points, with 5 assists, and 3 rebounds. Bogavac was one of four UNC starters to reach double figures in scoring, joined by Henri Veesaar (18), Jarin Stevenson (15), and Caleb Wilson (13). In only 22 minutes, Caleb Wilson produced his first collegiate double-double, totaling those 13 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. After experiencing early foul trouble in the Kansas win, he did the same tonight, committing three fouls, in a game that was called more tightly than they probably expected going in. With that in mind, Carolina would’ve won by more and would’ve scored well over 100 points had they made the most of their opportunities at the foul, as Carolina was just 31-49 from the charity stripe. The fact that Carolina still scored 89 points on a night where they shot just 38% from the field, 26% from behind the arc, and 63% from the foul line displays just how explosive this offense can be, even when they are having an off night from the field. 

Carolina actually trailed 21-20 with less than 8 minutes left to play in the first half, but after allowing just baskets across the final 8:10 of the opening half, Carolina was able to build a 44-31 halftime lead. There was a moment where virtually every Tar Heel fan or coach held their respective breath when Jarin Stevenson went down, after turning his ankle. He’d leave the game for a brief period of time before returning and being an impactful part of the win. With the injury to Trimble, Carolina could ill-afford another big loss to its starting lineup, and you could argue that Stevenson has been the unsung hero here in the early part of the season. 

It shouldn’t be that surprising that Carolina struggled to reach the same level of play that they did against Kansas, considering the crowd wasn’t half as interested as they were the other night, and it was their first time playing without their vocal and emotional leader. The most important thing was to come away with a win, and it was the type of win that a coaching staff can relish, because there’s a lot to work on from this one. 

1. Luka at the 2: As expected, Hubert Davis inserted Luka Bogavac into the starting lineup with Seth Trimble injured, and the results were uneven at times, but you saw the Luka that made Carolina recruit him as an international pro. After starting 0-5 from behind the arc, Luka ended going 3-11 from deep, on 7-18 shooting, on his way to leading Carolina in scoring. In addition to his scoring, you saw his playmaking on display, as he also led Carolina in assists, with multiple lob passes to Caleb Wilson for dunks at the rim. With Luka in the backcourt, it gave Carolina four starters at least 6-6 or taller, and that length on the perimeter might make up for a lack of speed on the perimeter. With his ability to be a facilitator, Hubert might be able to tinker with him at the 1, and play Kyan Evans off the ball. Nonetheless, it’s clear that Bogavac is still adjusting to the college game, but you saw a glimpse of what he can be and needs to be for this team to reach its ceiling. 

2. Caleb Wilson Delivers: On his worst shooting night of his young career, combined with even worse foul trouble than the Kansas game, Caleb Wilson still produced his first double-double as a Tar Heel. Wilson recorded 13 points and 14 rebounds in just 22 minutes, and even though he played just 22 minutes, he was the best player on the floor. After getting into early foul trouble against the Jayhawks last Friday and last night against the Highlanders, that’s the one area that needs improvement after his first week in the sport.

3. Henri Veesaar Carries the Load: While Carolina was struggling in the first half to find an offensive rhythm without Seth Trimble, and against a team that played a matchup zone, Henri Veesaar was there to answer the call. He scored 11 points in the first half, while playing all but the first 42 seconds of the opening half. At every turn, Veesaar has been very impressive briefly into his Tar Heel career, and last night he proved that he’s capable of being the top scoring option, even with Caleb Wilson and Luka Bogavac on the floor. Veesaar was Carolina’s top option in the transfer portal, and so far, he’s proven them right to overrecruit Ven-Allen Lubin, who left for NC State.

4. Rough Shooting Night: Carolina’s offense still is stuck in neutral, and outside of the second half against Kansas, has yet to look like the offense we thought it would be when the roster was finalized. The Heels shot just 38% from the field, 26% from the field, and were only 31-49 from the foul line, but they still managed to score 89 points. The one positive is that Carolina is still generating quality looks from the field, and you feel like it’s only a matter of time before they start falling. 

5. Jarin Stevenson Quietly Produces: After not finding a consistent role at Alabama, Stevenson has found a role early on at UNC. He has started all three games, and his job is simple: defend, rebound, and hit timely threes, and last night he did all of that. After turning his ankle early on, he returned and produced his best box score as a Tar Heel, scoring 15 points and grabbing 7 rebounds in 25 minutes. Last night, he was just 2-6 from the field, but made up for it by going 10-12 from the foul line, the best of any Tar Heel to make multiple free throws. With the Trimble injury, he’ll likely stay in the starting lineup longer than originally anticipated, but the fact that Hubert Davis has identified a role for him, and Stevenson has bought in, is a good sign for Carolina moving forward. 

6. Bench Production: With the loss of Trimble and the insertion of Luka into the starting lineup, there is a need for more of a scoring punch off the bench. Jones Angell brought it up to Hubert Davis in his postgame interview on the THSN last night, and even mentioned it to Tyler Zeller as they were signing off the air. Jonathan Powell led UNC’s bench unit with 8 points, on 3-6 shooting, but was 0-2 from the foul line. Derek Dixon added 7, but was 1-5 from the field. Zayden High did grab 6 rebounds in 9 minutes, but James Brown played 8 minutes and committed four fouls. While they adjust to not having Luka, they are seeking what the rest of the roster is seeking, consistency, which is something this schedule will allow them to search for. 

Up Next: Carolina is back at home on Friday night, when they host North Carolina Central at 9 PM on the ACC Network.