Tar Heels dominate Rams 95-53 in final preseason tune-up
The University of North Carolina Tar Heels didn’t just win their final preseason game — they sent a message. On Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, the No. 25-ranked Tar Heels crushed the Winston-Salem State University Rams 95-53 in a performance that blended brute force with sudden, surgical precision. The game, a 7:00 PM Eastern Time tip-off, lasted just over two hours — but the second half? That was a clinic.
From sluggish start to dominant finish
For the first 10 minutes, it looked like another routine exhibition. The Tar Heels forced the Rams into seven straight misses and held them scoreless for 5 minutes and 38 seconds. By the 7:48 mark of the first half, UNC was up 18-5. But then Winston-Salem State, a Division II program picked to finish last in the CIAA, refused to fold. They clawed back to within five points at 24-19. The Rams weren’t just hanging around — they were making noise.
Then came the turning point. Kyan Evans buried a three. Freshman Caleb Wilson followed with five straight points. And just before halftime, Jonathan Powell stole a full-court pass and fed Wilson for a spinning layup — a perfect exclamation mark on an 8-0 run that gave UNC a 39-26 lead. It was ugly basketball at times: 43.8% shooting, 3-of-12 from deep, 7 turnovers. But the defense? That was the foundation.
Second-half explosion
Halftime adjustments didn’t come from the chalkboard alone. Elijah Davis — son of head coach Hubert Davis — and veteran Seth Trimble took charge in the locker room. "The energy, effort, attention to detail wasn’t there in the first half," Davis said afterward. "It was the exact opposite in the second half."
And what a second half it was. UNC opened with seven of their first nine shots falling, including four three-pointers. A 21-2 run blew the game open, pushing the lead to 60-32 with 13:38 left. Then came Jaydon Young. Three straight threes. One after another. The crowd rose. The Rams’ bench slumped. By the time Young hit his third, UNC led 73-41. They finished the half shooting 9-for-20 from deep — a complete turnaround from their first-half struggles.
The final stat line told the story: 50% field goal shooting, 37.5% from three, 68% from the line. 51 rebounds. 15 assists. Just 10 turnovers. Winston-Salem State? 28.2% shooting. 11 turnovers. 31 rebounds. They were outworked, outclassed, and outgunned.
Wilson shines, Veesaar shows promise — and vulnerability
Caleb Wilson was the breakout star: 23 points, 10 rebounds, relentless energy. He played like a guy who knows he’s not just here to fill a roster spot. He’s here to compete. But he wasn’t alone. Henri Veesaar, the seven-foot transfer from Arizona, added 10 points and looked every bit the anchor UNC hoped he’d be. His footwork, timing, and presence altered shots without fouling — a rare combo.
But here’s the concern: behind Veesaar? There’s a void. James Brown and Zayden High combined for 11 minutes and zero points. Neither offers much size or skill. If Veesaar picks up foul trouble — and he will — UNC’s interior defense could collapse. That’s not speculation. It’s a calendar. The regular season opener against Central Arkansas is just five days away.
Defense is back — but depth is thin
Coach Davis and general manager Jim Tanner made defensive rebounding and perimeter pressure their offseason priorities. The results? A team that held a Division II opponent to 28.2% shooting. That’s not fluky. That’s intentional. The Tar Heels are bigger, stronger, and more disciplined than last year’s squad.
But basketball is a game of minutes. And minutes mean rotation. With only seven players seeing more than 15 minutes, the bench remains thin. Who steps up when Wilson gets into foul trouble? Who guards the opposing team’s best wing when Trimble needs rest? These aren’t rhetorical questions. They’re looming deadlines.
What’s next for the Tar Heels?
Monday, November 3, 2025. Central Arkansas. A mid-major with a fast-paced offense and a point guard who thrives in transition. It’s not a powerhouse. But it’s a test — the first real one. If UNC’s defense holds up, if Wilson keeps playing like a future NBA prospect, and if Veesaar stays out of early foul trouble, this team could climb into the Top 15 by December.
But if the backups can’t contribute? If the three-point shooting regresses? If the turnovers creep back up? Then this 42-point win over Winston-Salem State won’t mean much. It’ll just be a pretty highlight reel.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Caleb Wilson’s performance impact the team’s confidence?
Caleb Wilson’s 23-point, 10-rebound double-double wasn’t just statistically impressive — it was psychologically vital. As a freshman thrust into a starting role, his poise under pressure and ability to finish through contact signaled to teammates that UNC has a new offensive engine. His presence opened driving lanes for Jaydon Young and created space for Henri Veesaar in the post, easing the burden on veterans like Seth Trimble.
Why is Henri Veesaar’s health critical to UNC’s season?
Veesaar is UNC’s only reliable seven-footer and primary rim protector. With James Brown and Zayden High offering minimal size or defensive presence behind him, any foul trouble or injury would force the Tar Heels into a rotation of undersized forwards. Last season, UNC ranked 210th nationally in blocked shots. Veesaar alone could lift that into the top 50 — if he stays on the floor.
What does this win reveal about Hubert Davis’s coaching adjustments?
Davis’s halftime adjustments weren’t just about X’s and O’s — they were about accountability. The team responded to vocal leadership from Elijah Davis and Seth Trimble, indicating a shift toward player-led culture. The second-half defensive intensity — forcing 11 turnovers and holding Winston-Salem State to 27 points — mirrors offseason drills focused on transition defense and closeouts, suggesting Davis’s system is finally clicking.
How does Winston-Salem State’s performance compare to past UNC exhibition opponents?
Winston-Salem State is a stronger opponent than most Division II teams UNC faces in exhibitions. They’re a CIAA contender with experienced guards and a physical frontcourt. The fact that UNC still won by 42 points — and held them to 28.2% shooting — suggests the Tar Heels’ defensive upgrades are real. In 2024, UNC beat a similar team by 31 points, but allowed 41% shooting. This year’s team is far more disciplined.
What are the biggest concerns heading into the Central Arkansas game?
Three things: depth at center, three-point consistency, and turnover control. Central Arkansas runs a high-tempo offense that thrives on transition buckets. If UNC’s bench can’t contain their guards, or if they shoot like they did in the first half (3-of-12 from deep), the game could get ugly. The Tar Heels must turn this exhibition dominance into regular-season discipline — or risk an early upset.
Is Jaydon Young’s three-point shooting sustainable?
His three straight threes in the second half were electric, but he’s still a 33% career shooter from deep. If he’s open, he’ll make them — and UNC needs him to be that guy when Wilson is double-teamed. But relying on him as a primary shooter is risky. His value lies in spacing the floor and making defenses pay for over-helping. Consistency, not streaks, will determine his role.
