Heel Tough Blog: Winston-Salem State Takeaways

Chris Seward - AP

It wasn’t the prettiest of performances you’ll see from the Tar Heels, but they did enough to earn a 95-53 win last night over Winston-Salem State, in the final exhibition of the preseason, ahead of the 2025-26 regular season, which begins on Monday against Central Arkansas. After Carolina started the game on an extended 15-2 run, it looked like they’d make quick work of the Division II Rams, but WSSU would make the game ugly, and found themselves down just 5, 22-17, with under seven minutes left in the first half. Carolina would be able to extend its lead to 39-26 at the half, behind 17 first-half points from freshman sensation Caleb Wilson. It would be in the second half, where Carolina put the hammer down, outscoring WSSU 56-27, looking the part on both ends of the floor, primarily on the offensive end. In the first half, Carolina shot 43% from the field, 25% from behind the arc, and was just 8-14 from the foul line. Those numbers improved to 56% in the second half, including 45% from deep, and 9-11 from the foul line, to raise Carolina’s shooting to an even 50% from the field, 38% from deep, and 17-25 from the foul line for the game. 

For the second straight exhibition contest, Luka Bogavac was nowhere to be found on the court for Carolina, as he awaits clearance from the University. There’s no doubt that his absence has impacted Carolina’s play, especially in the frontcourt, as his absence doesn’t have a scoring threat on the wing to consistently put the basketball in the hoop. With less than 5 days to go, it’s uncertain if Lula will be ready to go for Monday’s opener, but his absence is sorely missed, especially in the halfcourt. 

After going toe to toe with BYU, it was natural for Carolina to bring the same intensity to a half-empty gym, against a Division II program, and that's what happened across the first 14 minutes or so, before Carolina ultimately pulled away. Here’s what to take away from the final tune-up of the preseason: 

1. Caleb Wilson is Him: Whatever adjective you like to use to describe a player that is every bit of what he was hyped up to be, feel free to use when describing freshman Caleb Wilson. After recording a double-double against BYU, he followed that up with another double-double, this time scoring 23 points, including a poster dunk, along with 10 rebounds, in just 23 minutes. Wilson is the most gifted Tar Heel and is already showing gradual improvement from game to game. Last night, he improved his efficiency, scoring his 23 points on 9-13 shooting and going 5-5 from the foul line. He spearheaded Carolina’s full-court pressure, as he made an impact denying the initial inbounds pass, and whenever Carolina would trap. His energy and effort were contagious, just like it was against BYU, and it ignited some of Carolina’s best first half offense.

2. Defense: After a strong showing against BYU, Carolina followed that up, allowing just 53 points on 28% shooting and 38% shooting from behind the arc. Carolina set the tone with the game’s opening 15-2 run, where UNC contested every shot and made WSSU work for every look they got. After not seeing the press in the BYU game, Hubert Davis pressed early and often, executing the half-court trap at a really high level. It’s only two exhibition games, but there seems to be a different buy-in from the Heels on that end of the floor, and that’s a good sign for an offense that’s a work in progress without Luka Bogavac. Also, all the size and the length that Carolina added via the transfer portal has also paid off against BYU, and last night against WSSU. 

3. Kyan Evans is a Work in Progress: After losing Elliott Cadeau to the transfer portal, UNC had to go shopping for a new point guard in the portal, and that brought them to Colorado State transfer Kyan Evans, who had a strong finish to the season last year for the Rams, who lost in the Round of 32 of the NCAA Tournament. After scoring just 4 points in 21 minutes against BYU, Evans last night scored just 6 points, in 19 minutes. He did make two threes in the second half, but it’s apparent that there’s a learning curve for him, which isn’t ideal while they await Luka Bogavac to be cleared. He struggled to play through contact last night, and was even ripped while dribbling the ball up the court, something that shouldn’t happen against Division II competition. The good news is that Carolina’s schedule will allow Evans to learn on the job, while not costing UNC too many wins in the process. What should also ease your concern, is that Derek Dixon looks ready to be a steady ball-handler off the bench. 

4. Perimeter Shooting Shows Up: After a poor shooting night in Salt Lake City last Friday night, Carolina’s perimeter showed up in the second half, to even itself out to 12-32 from deep for the game. UNC was just 3-12 from deep in the first half, but responded, going 9-20 in the second half. Three starters managed to make at least one three pointer, including Jarin Stevenson, who has shot a good ball in the two exhibitions. But it was two guys off the bench, Jonathan Powell, and Jaydon Young, who combined to go 5-12 from deep, looking the part of why they were added to the roster in the off-season. It’s hard to fully evaluate Carolina’s perimeter shooting without Luka Bogavac, but as long as he’s out, it’s all the more imperative that guys like Stevenson, Powell, Young and others to be consistent from the outside. 

Up Next: Carolina will begin regular season play on Monday night, when they host Central Arkansas at 7 PM on the ACC Network.