Caleb Wilson's performance versus Duke was one we will remember forever

Earlier this week, as the game approached, Caleb Wilson was asked about the Carolina-Duke rivalry and what this game would mean for his legacy. Wilson, even as a freshman, knew in that moment that no matter what kind of performance he had, it wouldn't be remembered unless the outcome of the game meant the Tar Heels coming out victorious.

Wilson's full quote

"It’ll definitely have a big impact on my legacy. I feel like that’s something that’s real important for me. Like I said before, honestly … nobody cares unless you win. I’m just really focused on winning the game. I’m not really focused on my legacy going into this game, I’m focused on winning."

Caleb Wilson

Well, Wilson is right. The outcome does matter. But Wilson also had an incredible game in his Carolina-Duke debut and a first half that will be remembered for a long time.

First, for Wilson, let's just point out a remarkable stat that isn't points, rebounds, or assists.

Wilson played all but 24 seconds in Saturday night's win versus the Blue Devils. That's how important he was to North Carolina. He HAD to be on the floor for the Tar Heels to be successful and to have a chance to pull the upset versus No. 4-ranked Duke.

He was very efficient when he had the ball too. For the game, Wilson put up 23 points on 8-12 shooting and going 1-2 from beyond the arc. A majority of those coming in the first half.

It felt like the Tar Heels struggled for about 37 minutes against Duke. Digging themselves into an early 13-point hole, then crawling back, and then having a 12-point deficit at halftime.

The ONLY reason the lead at halftime wasn't more than 12 was No. 8 himself. Wilson single-handedly kept North Carolina in the game in the first half, with some assistance from the man who hit the game-winner, Seth Trimble.

Wilson scored 17 of the Tar Heels' 29 points at the break, and Trimble had six. If it wasn't for Wilson taking over during that first-half stretch, we wouldn't be talking about the second-half comeback that led to the memorable finish.

I'm not sure what's more impressive. The fact that he basically played all forty minutes, or the fact that he put the entire Dean Smith Center on his back for the first 20 minutes to keep the Tar Heels in the fight with rival Duke.

We'll let you be the judge.

What I do know is this. Wilson is the best freshman to come through Chapel Hill that we have seen in a long, long time.

Even the senior Trimble, who hit the memorable game winner, agrees with that statement.

Caleb, thanks for being a Tar Heel. Continue to write your name in the UNC Basketball history books. As you have already said, "No one cares unless you win."

Well this year, Tar Heel Nation won by getting to see you play in Chapel Hill.

Tar Heels, enjoy the next month-plus of No. 8 in Carolina blue, because before long, he'll be moving on to the next level as a projected top-10 NBA draft pick.