Still celebrating Tuesday’s victory? Thanks to a 6-point, second-half comeback led by heroics from freshman guard Derek Dixon, UNC won a 67-64 battle against Kentucky.
Tuesday was North Carolina’s (7-1) first win at Rupp Arena in nearly 20 years. The Tar Heels also picked up another, much-needed signature win in the process, something they largely lacked a season ago.
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UNC now turns its attention to a rare, Sunday afternoon matchup with the Georgetown Hoyas. North Carolina lost its past two matchups against Georgetown (6-2), last beating the Hoyas in the 1999 Maui Invitational.
Georgetown, a once-storied program under the leadership of National Championship-winning head coach John Thompson Jr., last made the NCAA Tournament in 2021. Last season was the Hoyas’ first with an overall winning record 2018-2019, the second of Patrick Ewing’s six seasons in charge.
With major victories over Maryland and Clemson, though, Georgetown is hoping for a return to college basketball relevance.
The Tar Heels show early signs of a championship team, headlined by their star-studded post duo of Caleb Wilson and Henri Veesaar. When Seth Trimble returns from injury, UNC will be that much better. North Carolina still needs to make threes at a consistent clip, something that should improve with more games.
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Georgetown is the Tar Heels’ second big opponent at home. UNC previously came back to beat Kansas, 87-74, back on November 7.
Keep reading below for our game preview about Sunday’s non-conference matchup, including North Carolina’s key to victory, something to watch, statistical leads for each team, streaming information and the Tar Heels’ full schedule.
Key to Victory
Dec 2, 2025; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Jarin Stevenson (15) dunks the ball during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images
Continue crashing the offensive boards.
Until the final stretch of Tuesday’s game, UNC failed to find any sort of offensive rhythm. The Tar Heels kept missing threes, contested layups and turned the ball over.
North Carolina kept itself close with Kentucky due to its offensive rebounding ability, which is a program staple. UNC snagged 20 offensive boards to the Wildcats’ eight, giving itself plenty of opportunity for second chances.
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Georgetown has a pair of 7-footers, so crashing the boards won’t be easy.
Something to Watch
Dec 2, 2025; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Derek Dixon (3) goes to the basket against Kentucky Wildcats forward Brandon Garrison (10) and guard Jasper Johnson (2) during the first half at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images
Who starts at point guard for the Tar Heels.
Colorado State transfer Kyan Evans started the season as UNC’s point guard, but Derek Dixon played much better Tuesday, including a pair of late, go-ahead clutch shots.
Dixon earned himself the start, but he’s likely in Chapel Hill a couple more season. Hubert Davis will make the right decision come tip-off time.
Statistical leaders
Dec 2, 2025; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Caleb Wilson (8) goes to the basket during the second half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images
Points
UNC: Caleb Wilson (19.2)
Georgetown: KJ Lewis (6.6)
Rebounds
UNC: Caleb Wilson (10.1)
Georgetown: KJ Lewis (6)
Assists
UNC: Kyan Evans (4)
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Georgetown: Malik Mack (4.6)
What you need to know
TarHeelsWire How to Watch
WHAT? North Carolina Tar Heels (7-1) vs. Georgetown Hoyas (6-2)
WHEN? Sunday, December 7 at 5 p.m.
WHERE? Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C.
TV? ESPN
RADIO? SiriusXM (Channel 371)
LINE? N/A
LAST MEETING? Georgetown 96, UNC 84 on 3/25/07
ALL-TIME SERIES: UNC leads, 5-4
PREDICTION? UNC 78, Georgetown 67
UNC basketball 2025-26 schedule
October 4: Blue-White Scrimmage (White 55, Blue 50)
Oct. 24: at BYU (preseason, L 78-76)
Oct. 29: vs. Winston-Salem State (preseason, W 95-53)
Nov. 3: vs. Central Arkansas (W, 94-54)
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Nov. 7: vs. Kansas (W, 87-74)
Nov. 11: vs. Radford (W, 89-74)
Nov. 14: vs. NC Central (W, 97-53)
Nov. 18: vs. Navy (W, 73-61)
Nov. 25: vs. St. Bonaventure in Fort Myers (Fla.) Tip-Off (W, 85-70)
Nov. 27: vs. Michigan State in Fort Myers (Fla.) Tip-Off (L, 74-58)
December 2: at Kentucky (W, 67-64)
Dec. 7: vs. Georgetown (5 p.m.)
Dec. 13: vs. USC Upstate (2 p.m.)
Dec. 16: vs. ETSU (8 p.m.)
Dec. 20: vs. Ohio State in CBS Sports Classic (3 p.m. in Atlanta, Ga.)
Dec. 22: vs. East Carolina (8 p.m.)
Dec. 30: vs. Florida State (2:15 p.m.)
January 3, 2026: at SMU (2:15 p.m.)
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Jan. 10, 2026: vs. Wake Forest (6 p.m.)
Jan. 14, 2026: at Stanford (9 p.m.)
Jan. 17, 2026: at California (4 p.m.)
Jan. 21, 2026: vs. Notre Dame (7 p.m.)
Jan. 24, 2026: at Virginia (TBA)
Jan. 31, 2026: at Georgia Tech (2 p.m.)
Feb. 2, 2026: vs. Syracuse (7 p.m.)
Feb. 7, 2026: vs. Duke (6:30 p.m.)
Feb. 10, 2026: at Miami (FL) (7 p.m.)
Feb. 14, 2026: vs. Pitt (2 p.m.)
Feb. 17, 2026: at NC State (7 p.m.)
Feb. 21, 2026: at Syracuse (1 p.m.)
Feb. 23, 2026: vs. Louisville (7 p.m.)
Feb. 28, 2026: vs. Virginia Tech (TBA)
March 3, 2026: vs. Clemson (7 p.m.)
March 7, 2026: at Duke (6:30 p.m.)
March 10-14, 2026: ACC Tournament in Spectrum Center (Charlotte, N.C.)
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC basketball vs. Georgetown: Game preview, info and more
