CHAPEL HILL — UNC basketball coach Hubert Davis hasn’t revealed whether Caleb Wilson will or will not play against Duke in the regular-season finale.
“I have no idea,” Davis said Thursday, March 5, in the Smith Center media room when asked about Wilson’s availability for the 17th-ranked Tar Heels (24-6, 12-5 ACC) against the top-ranked Blue Devils (28-2, 16-1) on Saturday, March 7 (6:30 p.m., ESPN) at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Davis said Wilson is “progressing” and has “been doing individual workouts,” but the 6-foot-10 freshman forward hasn’t been cleared for 5-on-5 practice. UNC had an off day Wednesday, March 4, after the Tar Heels’ win against Clemson. “He’ll do more (Thursday),” Davis said of Wilson’s progress. “Other than that, I don’t have any other additional information.”
Ahead of UNC’s first game against Duke, Wilson discussed his excitement for the chance to play at Cameron Indoor Stadium. “I’m really excited to go play at Duke, too. I like to be the villain in games, and I just think it’s going to be a lot of fun.”
The initial ACC availability report will be released Friday, March, 6 at 8 p.m. and the final injury list will be revealed two hours before tipoff in Durham. Duke coach Jon Scheyer was asked about Wilson on Thursday, March 5, and how the freshman’s status shifts the Blue Devils’ game plan. “Obviously, he’s a really good player, had a really good first game against us. I think, ultimately, for us, it can’t change our game plan in terms of what our defensive focus is,” Scheyer said.
“Look at their record without him. They’ve done a great job, they’re really good. Now that (Henri) Veesaar’s back in there, of course. But for us, it’s playing Duke defense, regardless. It’s having great respect for him, but also great respect if he doesn’t play in knowing how good they’ve been and how they’ve won. It’s a good challenge either way for our defense.”
Caleb Wilson injury update
It’s been just over three weeks since Wilson injured his left hand in UNC’s loss at Miami. UNC coach Hubert Davis said Wilson has been doing everything but full contact, 5-on-5 practice. In the Tar Heels’ final game of the season at the Smith Center, Wilson wasn’t wearing a brace on his hand.
Caleb Wilson stats
UNC has won five of its six games without Wilson, a projected top-five pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. But the 6-foot-10 forward has been one of the best players in the nation this season. Wilson started the first 24 games of the season, averaging 19.8 points and 9.4 rebounds as UNC’s top scorer and rebounder. In five games against ranked opponents, Wilson averaged 20 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.4 steals. The Tar Heels were 4-1 in those games. Wilson had 23 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals in UNC’s win against Duke at the Smith Center.
