Lessons Learned from another heart-stopping UNC basketball win over Ohio State

Caleb Wilson Homecoming

If you thought Caleb Wilson wasn't going to show out for his Atlanta homecoming, you weren't paying attention.

The freshman phenom had a bit of a quiet first half, scoring just six points (UNC only scored 34 in an ugly first half), but did quietly have seven rebounds. In the second half, he came alive, going absolutely Donkey Kong for 16 points (7/11 shooting), an additional eight rebounds, and his usual telepathic connection with Henri Veesaar:

But I want to point out two plays late in the second half that show why Caleb Wilson is such a difference-maker for the Tar Heels. With under a minute to play and Carolina clinging to a one-point lead, Ohio State had just about run out of shot clock thanks to some excellent team defense, and swung the ball out to John Mobley, who was about five steps behind the arc. Caleb Wilson was caught ball-watching and didn't get his hands up in time, and in his zest to close out, fouled the three-point shot, giving up a four-point play.

Rather than shrink, he kept his head on a swivel, and after UNC took a one-point lead, blocked a put back attempt from Devin Royal that would have counted had it gone in. These are the types of winning plays that make a difference in March and in NBA Draft position.