A week off could be a good thing and a bad thing for any team.
For starters, the good that comes from it is rest and retooling, having the opportunity to work on things that you typically don't have time to during a fast-paced regular season schedule. On the other hand, if you're team is red hot (or coming off a tough loss), you might not want to have a long break, waiting anxiously for that next opportunity to take the floor.
Hubert Davis and the UNC basketball program must be itching to get back on the court, as last weekend's loss to SMU was one that they had to stew in all week long.
Fortunately, that opportunity to return to action is closing in, as North Carolina will host the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in a Saturday night clash at the Smith Center.
Coming off arguably their worst performance of the season, North Carolina aims to get back on track when they return to their home court. The good news is that students are back on campus, as everyone should be pumped up to watch the Tar Heels back on the court.
2025-2026 Season
North Carolina Tar Heels
Overall record: 13-2
Conference Record: 1-1
Home Record: 10-0
Away Record: 1-1
Neutral Site Record: 2-1
Top-25 Wins: 2
Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Overall record: 10-6
Conference Record: 1-2
Home Record: 8-3
Away Record: 0-1
Neutral Site Record: 2-2
History
This meeting marks the 237th time that these two programs will square off on the basketball court. Only two other opponents have played against the UNC basketball program on more occasions: Duke (265) and NC State (249).
North Carolina leads the all-time series by a large amount, holding a 166-70 advantage. This is the second-most victories that the Tar Heels have against any singular opponent, trailing only the 168 wins the UNC basketball program has captured against NC State.
To add to it, North Carolina is dominant at home against the Demon Deacons, holding a 81-18 record in Chapel Hill. At the Smith Center, the Tar Heels have been even better, holding a 26-5 edge over their in-state foe.
In two meetings last season, each side secured a victory. Wake Forest defended its home court with a one-point victory over North Carolina, while the Tar Heels got the best of the Demon Deacons in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals in Charlotte.
Key Players
North Carolina
Caleb Wilson (Fr. Forward)- 19.3 points, 10.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists
Seth Trimble (Sr. Guard)- 16.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists
Henri Veesaar (Jr. Center)- 16.3 points, 9.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists
Wake Forest
Juke Harris (So. Guard)- 19.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists
Myles Colvin (Jr. Guard)- 13.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists
Tre'von Spillers (Sr. Forward)- 11.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists
Keys to Victory for North Carolina
Defense is the key
It's safe to say that the UNC basketball program spent a lot of time this week honing in on its defensive skills.
After starting the season in dominant fashion on the offensive side of the floor, the Tar Heels struggled mightily trying to contact SMU's elite guard play.
In this game, the hope is that we see the defensive effort we saw earlier on in the season, and that has to start with Seth Trimble and the guard unit.
If the guards continue to struggle keeping the opponent in front of them, it's going to be very difficult to slow down opposing offenses. Hopefully, this week helped this team get back on track and build some continuity working together, especially since Trimble has only returned from injury just a few days ago.
For North Carolina- defensive stops lead to transition opportunities. This is an essential factor for their overall success, and Saturday night will be their first chance to put up a statement following the ugly performance in Dallas, Texas.
Something to Watch For
With their victory over Florida State last week, the UNC basketball program captured its 499th career victory at the Dean Smith Center. Heading into the new year, the Tar Heels hold an outstanding 499-90 record on their home floor, including a 258-71 record in ACC play.
One more victory gets them to that 500-wins milestone, another indicator of just how much success the program has had in this building.
Projected Starters
No. 0- Kyan Evans
No. 7- Seth Trimble
No. 44- Luka Bogavac
No. 8- Caleb Wilson
No. 13- Henri Veesaar