It goes without saying, but things are not going to be easy for UNC and Hubert Davis now that Caleb Wilson has been sidelined with a fracture in his left hand. Wilson, a true freshman, was no question the straw that stirs the drink for this team.
What Caleb Wilson's injury means to North Carolina while he is sidelined
However, it's unknown when he'll get back on the floor, which spells trouble for the Tar Heels and Davis. How will this team be able to perform without the youngster in action? It's a concern for a lot of people and the list includes ESPN's Jay Williams, who didn't hold back with his recent comments on Saturday:
"I'm worried about them ... Caleb Wilson was ... their DNA, he was their attitude."@RealJayWilliams is not sold on UNC without its star freshman 👀 pic.twitter.com/3XH4XVmTG7
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) February 14, 2026
ESPN's Jay Williams has serious concerns for UNC basketball without Caleb Wilson
"I'm worried about them," Williams said. "They could respond, but I think that Caleb Wilson was the definitive character for this team. He was their DNA, he was their attitude. And when they beat Duke, you looked at that team and said that's a team that can get to the Elite Eight - that's a team that can make a run, but then when you watched them play in their next game (at Miami), you're like is that a team that can be out in the first week? Then losing your definitive character, your attitude, I worry about the DNA if that can be sustained."
Unfortunately, it's hard to argue with anything that Williams said in the video above. Wilson has meant so much to this program and he certainly acts like a veteran leader despite being a baby-faced freshman. Wilson is averaging just under 20 points per game, while adding more than nine rebounds.
With Wilson set to miss extensive action, it's going to be on the rest of the UNC playmakers to step up and pick up their level of play. Plenty of eyes will be on Seth Trimble, Henri Veesaar and others. Wilson will of course be working overtime in his rehab to get back on the floor, but there's no set timeline for his return.
Obviously, the sooner Wilson can suit up, the better things will be for the Tar Heels. At the same time, Davis and Co. are not going to rush him back too soon. In a dream world, Wilson will be healthy for the March showdown in Durham against Duke, but it's feeling unlikely he'll be ready by then. We may have to wait for the NCAA Tournament, but things are unknown there.