Friday night was the perfect opportunity for UNC to showcase how good a basketball team it can be. After another slow start, North Carolina quickly took control heading into halftime – and exploded out of it to put NC Central away for good.
Leading by six with approximately three minutes remaining in the first half, the Tar Heels distanced themselves with a sizable run. UNC then roared out of halftime on a 12-2 run, giving itself the distance it needed in a dominant, 97-53 victory over NCCU.
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With Friday’s win, North Carolina is 4-0 for the second time in three seasons (2023-2024). That year, UNC won both the ACC Regular Season and Tournament Championships, en route to a top seed in the NCAA Tournament and Sweet 16 appearance.
The Tar Heels did virtually everything well Friday night. North Carolina shot 55 percent as a team, making 30 of their 55 attempts. UNC held NCCU (1-4), which made just 16 of its 66 shots, to an ice-cold 24% field goal percentage.
The Tar Heels used height to their advantage, out-rebounding a smaller Eagles squad by 21. Caleb Wilson and Henri Veesaar anchored that charge: Wilson collected his fourth double-double (21 points, 13 rebounds) in as many games, while Veesaar (12 points, 11 rebounds) recorded his second in four games.
North Carolina now has the weekend off before closing its early-season, 5-game homestand against Navy on Tuesday night. As you celebrate tonight’s win, read our five takeaways.
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Caleb Wilson and Henri Veesaar are matchup nightmares
Nov 14, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels center Henri Veesaar (13) grabs the rebound against North Carolina Central Eagles forward Khouri Carvey (7) in the first half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images
Wilson and Veesaar bring an extremely-difficult combination for opponents to stop. They’re both tall and lengthy, strong around the basket, can block shots and step out to hit jumpers.
UNC’s top post duo used these all to their advantage Friday night, quickly overpowering an NC Central team that lost its third game to ACC competition.
North Carolina is deep with several scoring threats
Nov 14, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Derek Dixon (3) brings the ball up court against the North Carolina Central Eagles in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images
Non-conference play is the perfect time for teams to experiment with their best rotations. Sometimes, teams will even find stars hidden deep down their depth charts.
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12 different Tar Heels scored on Friday night, anchored by 21 points from Wilson. Luka Bogavac (13), Veesaar and Zayden High (11) also reached double-figures.
If Hubert Davis discovers how to work his entire lineup in against tougher competition, UNC will be a major problem this season.
North Carolina plays its best basketball in the second half
Nov 14, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Isaiah Denis (5) drives past North Carolina Central Eagles guard Justin Edwards (12) during the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images
UNC turned the basketball over 10 times in the first half, hence the reason for a slim, 6-point lead late.
The Tar Heels played near-perfect basketball in the second half, not turning the ball over once. North Carolina scored 58 points alone in the final 20 minutes, doubling NCCU’s point total across Friday night.
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Once UNC discovers how to play a complete game, it’ll be a dangerous team to compete against.
Zayden High earned himself the backup center role
Nov 14, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Zayden High (1) lays up against the North Carolina Central Eagles in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images
Veesaar solves the issue UNC faced throughout its 2024-25 campaign: a tall, talented center who can play 30+ minutes per game.
North Carolina also has plenty of reserve big men to choose from: High, James Brown and Ivan Matlekovic, amongst others.
High earned himself the Tar Heels’ backup center spot for another game. On Friday night, the junior big man from Texas scored a career-high 11 points, adding two rebounds and an assist across 14 minutes.
Defense is UNC’s best asset
Nov 14, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Caleb Wilson (8) guards North Carolina Central Eagles guard Gage Lattimore (11) during the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images
94, 87, 89, 97. Those are North Carolina’s point totals in its first four games.
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The Tar Heels’ defense is a perfect complement to their electric offense. Based off Friday night alone, you can argue UNC’s defense is its best unit.
North Carolina held NCCU to 24% (16-of-66) from the field. Eagles star Gage Lattimore, who entered Friday a Top-10 scorer in the country, netted just 12 points on 4-of-19 shooting.
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC basketball: Five takeaways from Friday’s blowout over NC Central
