North Carolina had spent much of the season leaning on Caleb Wilson and Henri Veesaar, but Saturday demanded something different.
With Wilson out indefinitely with a fractured left hand and Veesaar sidelined by illness, No. 11 UNC turned to speed, versatility and a smaller lineup to pull away for a 79–65 victory over Pittsburgh at the Smith Center.
Carolina also leaned into playing faster rather than trying to bang inside without its usual frontcourt production.
We’re just playing a little bit faster, just trying to use our speed, use our quickness,” Dixon said. “Moving it quick, side to side, just trying to get open looks.”
The different approach also opened opportunities for Zayden High, who made his first career start and delivered career highs with 15 points and seven rebounds in 32 minutes.
High credited the team’s defensive emphasis for allowing UNC to run and play more freely offensively.
“Coach always preaches defense,” High said. “If we get stops, then we can run in transition… we got a lot of stops today, we were able to get out in transition and run the break.”
Seth Trimble said Carolina’s guards took on more responsibility offensively, while the defense became more switchable with a smaller, quicker group.
“Offensively, I think us as guards, we’re relied on definitely more [Saturday],” Trimble said. “We played out of the ball screen a lot more at the end of the shot clock. Defensively, we switched one through four on and off the ball. We don’t always do that when we had Henri and Caleb on the floor just because we’re bigger. With a group like this, a lot of feisty guards, and then Jarin [Stevenson] and Zayden [High], who are very versatile. We’re able to switch everything and just shrink the floor.”
Stevenson, who scored a season-high 19 points, said the smaller lineup created problems for Pitt because of how quickly UNC played.
“We had a smaller lineup, so just getting up and down the court creating confusion,” Stevenson said. “I feel like our constant motion also created confusion. We had a few open threes on the break, open layups on the break. Seth was attacking the basket really well. We got a lot of assists, too. Just attacking multiple ways and playing fast really helps our chances of success.”
In the end, North Carolina didn’t look to replicate what was missing. Instead, the Tar Heels found a different identity for the afternoon — faster, smaller and with players taking different roles.
“None of that matters without the competitive fight,” Davis said. “I said, ‘You guys just have to fight; you’ve got to compete.’ “
For Davis, the performance was less about a temporary adjustment and more about the kind of response he wants his program to embody when adversity hits.
“[Saturday] was a clear example of what Carolina basketball is about, for them to react and respond this way,” Davis said
The Tar Heels know the formula may have to hold in the days ahead, even if Veesaar is back for Tuesday’s 7 p.m. game at N.C. State (ESPN).
But Saturday offered proof that Carolina’s identity can stretch beyond its stars, fueled by confidence, energy and reserves ready to step forward.
