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North Carolina (2-0) got their first big win of the season, defeating the 19th-ranked Kansas Jayhawks (1-1) 87-74. The Tar Heels showed their resilience, toughness, and determination in their first win against Kansas since 2002. It was a resume builder and a sign of what is to come, with UNC being a team that dominates and makes opponents pay inside the paint.
North Carolina got off to a slow start in the first half, with turnovers, missed shots and allowing Kansas to control the pace and tempo of the game. The Tar Heels shot 33 percent from the floor in the first half before coming alive, thanks to a scoring outburst by Seth Trimble, who scored 13 of his 17 points in the second half. He showed his ability to push the pace and get buckets in transition and more importantly it flipped the game on its head.
The Tar Heels shot 66.7% in the second half and dominated inside the perimeter, scoring 48 of their 87 points in the paint. Much like they did in their opening win of the season against Central Arkansas where they scored 46 points of their 94 in the paint. For the second straight game, the Tar Heels dominated the paint by out rebounding the Jayhawks, 39-27.
Caleb Wilson led the Tar Heels in scoring with 24 points, along with seven rebounds, four assists and four steals. He was 9-of-12 from the field and showed that he was more than a dunker. Also, he can shoot over smaller defenders and be a threat. Even though it is early in the season, the UNC's bigs right now are shooting 77 percent from the field.
North Carolina might be on the skinny size, but showed they wants to win on every play and is not afraid to do the dirty work. In the first half, Wilson ripped a rebound away from a Kansas player only to follow it up by diving on the floor for a loose ball. He showed that he is doing whatever it takes to help his team win and when your best player on your team is diving after loose balls and trying to win on every play that only makes everyone else on the Tar Heels want to buy in.
More: UNC makes history in win against Kansas, first over Jayhawks in 23 years
Arizona Transfer Henri Veesaar was also a big inside for the Tar Heels. He finished with 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting from the floor. At 7-foot and 250 pounds, Veesaar is another key piece for Hubert Davis on both ends of the floor. While he lacks the athleticism that Wilson has, 'Big V' brings a different attribute in being able to stretch the floor and knock down shots all over in the win over Kansas.
But Veesaar is also a big defensive presence, and with him and Wilson inside, it will be very hard for teams to finish at the rim. It is Veesaar’s ability to spread the floor that will pay off dividends for the Tar Heels guards and Wilson by creating spacing.
The Tar Heels had a disappointing season last year, but this team has come out dominant and with renewed energy. And thanks to two bigs in Wilson and Veesaar, the Tar Heels could be one of the most dangerous teams in the country.
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