The UNC basketball program has scratched and clawed back into the top four of the ACC after a disastrous road swing that went through Dallas to California to Miami to, ugh... the Lenovo Center. But thanks to some perfect home cooking, the Tar Heels have climbed all the way up to #4 in the ACC, with just one road game remaining at Duke.
Clemson was the foil for North Carolina on Senior Night, and they were good value for money. This game decided who would be in fourth and fifth place, and a four-point margin in a tight defensive battle seems a fitting end to the contest.
Here are some lessons learned from a tough win over Clemson, in Seth Trimble's final game in the Dean Dome.
Rebounding Battle Won
In a game where UNC shot 37.9% from the field, and Clemson barely shot better at 43.3%, whoever won the battle of the glass stood a great chance at winning the game. The Tar Heels had one more rebound than Clemson (37-36), and their last one was the most important, when Seth Trimble secured Dillon Hunter's final effort. That board decided the game with no time to spare.
Henri Veesaar has had a swoon in rebounding prowess since missing time with a lower body injury. He missed the Pitt and NC State games, and then only grabbed five rebounds in his next two games. This was a disappointing stretch, especially since Veesaar had climbed into double-digit rebounds from the Georgia Tech game through the Duke win. He was making real progress with his board work. His six rebounds against Clemson, all defensive, were important since they cut off the Tigers' poor offense at source. If they couldn't shoot, don't give up any easy putbacks at the rim.
But the most important rebounder was Jarin Stevenson. The 6-foot-10 Alabama transfer has never been known as a strong rebounder, but he grabbed his career high last night with 10 (three offensive). It's frankly amazing that he's never had double-digit rebounds for the Tar Heels, considering how poorly they've shot many nights. But he picked the perfect night to step up and work on the glass.
Third Scorer
When they're healthy, the Tar Heels have the best scoring post tandem in the country. Henri Veesaar's mix of size and three-point shooting, mixed with Caleb Wilson's power, footwork, and smooth shooting from anywhere in the paint, makes them a potent tandem. But who is Carolina's third scorer?
You'd think it would be Seth Trimble, but the senior guard is awfully inconsistent. Another inconsistent but skilled scorer is Luka Bogavac. Last night, he was simply U plamenu. He shot 6/14 from the field, but all of his makes were from three.
This is precisely the kind of scoring that North Carolina needs when Caleb Wilson returns, as it will give him and Veesaar the space they need to operate in the paint, unencumbered by double-teams. Bogavac was in his bag, even dishing out three assists.
Sometimes Bogavac can be guilty of trying to create when the opportunity just isn't there, or shooting way too early in the shot clock. But he's not shy about shooting, and that will be a benefit when UNC enters the nerd cauldron of Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Trimble's Final Home Game
As sad as it may be to say, Seth Trimble will probably be the last four-year player in Chapel Hill. With the modern NIL/transfer portal eco-system, a player good enough to start immediately will go pro early, and a player who doesn't get enough playing time right away will transfer.
In fairness, Trimble did enter the transfer portal at one point, but the pull of UNC and the Carolina Family was too much to overcome. He harkens back to the traditional development of a college player. He didn't start as a freshman. He increased his minutes per game and scoring average every season. Tar Heel fans watched him improve and watched him grow into a leader on a team filled with strangers.
I'm so glad that he's found success and happiness in Chapel Hill. I'm glad that he'll have a lasting legacy, both with his Ben & Jerry's franchise on Franklin Street and memories of his soaring open-court dunks (perhaps more impressive than his older brother J.P. Tokoto's, since Trimble is shorter).
But now, thanks to this, he'll be remembered forever, not just by North Carolina fans, but by any casual basketball fan who turns on ESPN in late February and March.
We're so glad you called Chapel Hill home Seth.