Basketball

Feb 14, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Caleb Wilson (8) and center Henri Veesaar (13) on the bench in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Wilson suffered a broken thumb last week that ended his season

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Mar 7, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cameron Boozer (12) controls the ball in front of North Carolina Tar Heels guard Seth Trimble (7) during the first half at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels closed out the regular season with a sour taste in their mouths, but that should be extra fuel heading into postseason play.

Mar 7, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Jarin Stevenson (15) dunks during the first half against the Duke Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images

Here are players who stood out against the Blue Devils, despite suffering a double-digit loss on Saturday night.

Mar 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Seth Trimble (7) looks on during the second half against the Clemson Tigers at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

Read to see where the Tar Heels stand in the final AP Poll of the season before the conference tournament begins.

Mar 7, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cameron Boozer (12) shoots over North Carolina Tar Heels forward Zayden High (1) during the second half at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Duke Blue Devils won 76-61. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels must reinforce the small things without its leading scorer and superstar freshman out for the rest of the season.

The Tar Heels fell to their rivals Saturday, but a postseason rematch with Duke may not be far away.

Mar 7, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Injured North Carolina Tar Heels forward Caleb Wilson looks on during warm-ups prior to a game against the Duke Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels will enter the conference and NCAA tournaments without their superstar freshman.

Mar 7, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA;Duke Blue Devils forward Cameron Boozer (12) drives to the basket as North Carolina Tar Heels forward Jarin Stevenson (15) defends during the second half at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Duke Blue Devils won 76-61. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels were noticeably outmatched in the second half against the Blue Devils.

Mar 7, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels center Henri Veesaar (13) drives to the basket as Duke Blue Devils forward Maliq Brown (6) defends during the first half at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels were thoroughly outmatched in its double-digit defeat against the Blue Devils on Saturday night.

Mar 7, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA;Duke Blue Devils forward Maliq Brown (6) pokes the ball away from North Carolina Tar Heels guard Seth Trimble (7) during the second half at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Duke Blue Devils won 76-61. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels' fate in the NCAA tournament will be dependent on which teams they draw in the opening weekend.

Feb 23, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Caleb Wilson (8) and the bench react in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels were beaten badly by the Duke Blue Devils on Saturday.

Points off turnovers put the Tar Heels in a massive hole.

Duke’s edge on the boards and points off turnovers fueled the win over UNC.

The Tar Heels were admirable against the Blue Devils, but Caleb Wilson's absence was felt in the second half.

Jan 21, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis with guard Derek Dixon (3) in the first half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels must adjust its formula heading into the conference and NCAA tournaments without its best player.

Feb 14, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis reacts in the first half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels will require one of their best outings of the season to defeat the Blue Devils on Saturday night.

Feb 21, 2026; Syracuse, New York, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Caleb Wilson (8) looks on prior to the game against the Syracuse Orange at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

Wilson suffered a season-ending thumb injury this week

Containing Cameron Boozer early will be critical if the Tar Heels want the season sweep.

The Tar Heels are 24-6 entering Saturday's matchup against Duke, and they are playing inspired basketball without its star freshman available.

Feb 28, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis with guard Kyan Evans (0) in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels are entering a daunting road matchup and need to re-focus after learning that Caleb Wilson will be out for the rest of the season on Friday.

Mar 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels center Henri Veesaar (13) celebrates with guard Seth Trimble (7) during the second half against the Clemson Tigers at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels have been a battle-tested group throughout this season, and it prove beneficial in the coming days and weeks.

The Tar Heels received significant news on its star freshman ahead of Saturday's tilt against Duke.

Mar 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels center Henri Veesaar (13) drives to the basket during the second half against the Clemson Tigers at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

Veesaar has become a star in his lone season with UNC

Feb 28, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis reacts in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels face the top-ranked Blue Devils on Saturday at Cameron Indoor.

Feb 7, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Caleb Wilson (8) with the ball in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Head coach Hubert Davis provided an update on his star freshman's status for Saturday's tilt against the Blue Devils.

Basketball

UNC’s Veesaar Shares Reaction To Caleb Wilson’s Season-Ending Injury

UNC’s Veesaar Shares Reaction To Caleb Wilson’s Season-Ending Injury

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