Zayden High came into Saturday's game averaging 5.8 minutes per-game.
If you added up his total number of minutes since the start of the new year, the big man saw just 28 minutes of action total.
With Caleb Wilson, Henri Veesaar and James Brown sidelined, High was called upon to play a significant amount of minutes, and boy did he deliver!
High put together a career day, scoring 15 points and recording seven rebounds over 32 minutes of action in North Carolina's victory over Pittsburgh in Chapel Hill.
No Wilson, no Veesaar, no problem
Yes, we're aware that the Panthers are in the midst of a rough season. Regardless, you have to give credit where credits due: the Tar Heels were extremely short-staffed and found a way to get the job done.
Without their two leading scorers (and rebounders), other Tar Heels were called upon to step up. They did just that, as four players scored in double-figures.
Seth Trimble led the way with 19 points, while Jarin Stevenson poured in 19 of his own. Connecting on six of his seven shots from the floor, Stevenson's 19 points sets a new season-high for the junior big man.
Luka Bogavac did work early en route to a 15-point afternoon, while High was efficient and effective on both ends of the floor, providing stability at a position that certainly needed some.
Next Man Up Mentality
That "next man up" mentality is one that is vital in sports. Injuries are bound to happen, and it's important for teams to have those guys who are next in line ready to play.
Give credit to the UNC coaching staff for having these guys braced for the opportunity.
It will only help them get better over time, especially with guys like High earning some quality minutes. The Tar Heels have needed a backup big man all season long but have struggled to find that depth, but maybe this performance is the one that will give High the confidence to fill that role.
After picking up win No. 20 on the season on Saturday, UNC now heads to Raleigh for a Tuesday night showdown with the NC State Wolfpack. We'll have to wait and see if Veesaar will be available, but if he's not, the next man up mentality needs to stick.