UNC basketball senior guard Seth Trimble is medically cleared and is expected to play against Ohio State in the CBS Sports Classic on Saturday, Dec. 20 (3 p.m., CBS).
Trimble, who broke a bone in his left forearm on Nov. 9, missed nine games before the program announced his return on Dec. 19. Through its official X (formerly known as Twitter) account, the Tar Heels released a video of Trimble dunking, which featured the Dec. 20 date in a post that said: “He’s back.”
Trimble averaged 14.5 points, 5 rebounds and 3.5 assists in the first two games of his final season at UNC. The Menomonee Falls, Wis., native has played more than 100 games as a Tar Heel.
No. 13/12 UNC (10-1) is off to its best start since the 2017-18 season.
Seth Trimble injury update
UNC announced Dec. 19 that Trimble is medically cleared and is expected to play vs. Ohio State. He broke his forearm on Nov. 9 and had surgery on Nov. 10, beginning the recovery process. Trimble transitioned from a cast to a brace before being cleared for 5-on-5 practice earlier this week. He’s good to go against the Buckeyes, giving UNC its full roster for the first time since the Kansas game on Nov. 7.
Will Seth Trimble play vs Ohio State?
Seth Trimble is available and expected to play against the Buckeyes. It’ll be his first appearance since Nov. 7.
Seth Trimble gives UNC top option for guarding Ohio State’s Bruce Thornton
With Trimble available, it seems likely that he’ll draw the defensive assignment on Ohio State standout Bruce Thornton (21.8 points per game). UNC’s top on-ball defender chased around Kansas star Darryn Peterson in the Tar Heels’ win against the Jayhawks, garnering praise from Kansas coach Bill Self and UNC coach Hubert Davis for the defensive effort. If Trimble is able to make things tough for Thornton, it makes things easier for the Tar Heels’ defense as a whole.
Seth Trimble should boost UNC fast-break points, transition game
Trimble’s defense is his top trait, but he’s also the Tar Heels’ top player in transition. With the ability to get it and go – and finish in the open court — Trimble pushes the pace and should be able to provide UNC a much-needed boost in fast-break points. The Heels had a season-high 26 fast-break points with Trimble in the opener before following with 14 against Kansas. UNC has only surpassed the 14-point mark on the break in one game of the last nine games without Trimble.
Seth Trimble stats
UNC’s top defender on the perimeter and its most experienced player, Trimble averaged 14.5 points, 5 rebounds and 3.5 assists the first two games of the season. Trimble had 17 points and eight rebounds in the Tar Heels’ win against then-No. 19 Kansas at the Smith Center, guarding Jayhawk star Darryn Peterson for most of the game. UNC lost to Michigan State with Trimble sidelined, but the absence proved beneficial for the rest of Tar Heels, particularly freshman Derek Dixon and sophomore Jonathan Powell.
