The holiday break rust was real early on for the UNC basketball program, but they found a way to shake it off to secure a victory in their ACC opener on Tuesday night over Florida State.
North Carolina missed 10 of its first 11 shots from the floor but found a way to get the job done, ending 2025 with a victory. The UNC basketball program closes out 2025 with a 13-1 record, heading into 2026 with conference play set to heat up.
Caleb Bleepin' Wilson
What more can you even say about this kid?
Wilson continues to play at an All-American caliber level, leading the Tar Heels with 22 points while collecting a career-high 16 rebounds, adding six assists and two blocks. He had yet another dunk contest of his own, throwing down arguably his best dunk this far in his young UNC basketball career.
Caleb Wilson… YOU ARE INSANE!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/BObGdmUJD9
— Keeping It Heel (@KeepingItHeel) December 31, 2025
This kid is ELITE, and just continues to prove it on a nightly basis.
Kyan Evans comes alive!
Kyan Evans heard Jeff Goodman's criticism and took it personally!
Was this the breakout game Evans needed to settle into his role with the Tar Heels? We sure hope so!
Evans connected on a season-best five triples en route to 15 points, as his ability to knock down shots from deep was critical in this game. As a team, North Carolina made just seven of 29 attempts from beyond-the-arc, as Evans and Powell were the lone players to connect from distance.
Henri Veesaar steps it up in the second half
After not scoring in the first half, Henri Veesaar turned it up over the final 20 minutes of action.
The junior big man finished with yet another double-double performance, finishing the night with 12 points and 12 rebounds. His spark in the second half was a big part of the UNC basketball program's ability to pull away.
Seth Trimble shows us how valuable he is
Sure, we all hold our breaths when Seth Trimble attacks the rim and lands to the ground (or, in a few instances on Tuesday night, into the stands!). However, Trimble is fearless, as his 20-point, seven rebound, four steal effort was a huge boost for his team as they secured their first conference win of the season.
What's Next?
For the first time, the UNC basketball program heads to Dallas, Texas to take on SMU, one of the newer schools in the ACC. That game, which will be held on January 3, will kick-off 2026 for the Tar Heels, who will now play three of their next four contests on the road.