Luka Bogavac Talks Michigan State's Defense and UNC's Shooting Woes

The Tar Heels guard spoke to the media following the team's defeat to Michigan State, detailing how the Spartans' defense slowed down North Carolina's offense.

Nov 25, 2025; Fort Myers, Florida, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Luka Bogavac (44) drives to the basket past St. Bonaventure Bonnies guard Amar’E Marshall (2) in the first half at Suncoast Credit Union Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Thursday's loss to the Michigan State Spartans was one of the worst offensive performances by the North Carolina Tar Heels this season.

Some of that was missed opportunities, but most of that has to be attributed to how well Michigan State's defense was able to suffocate the paint.

The Spartans dared the Tar Heels to shoot threes, and that plan worked perfectly, as North Carolina shot a season-low in three-point percentage.

While speaking with the media during his postgame press conference availability, Luka Bogavac explained how Michigan State's physicality played a role in North Carolina's struggles.

Bogavac's Thoughts

The Michigan State Spartans compete against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the Fort Myers Tip-Off Beach Division game at Suncoast Credit Union Arena on Fort Myers, Fla., on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025. | Jonah Hinebaugh/Naples Daily News/USA Today Network-Florida / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

• "This is the first team we've played that was really physical for 40 minutes," Bogavac said. "They play like us — transition, pushing the ball, switching. I think we should be happy we gave 100% effort, but even that isn't enough against teams like this. We relaxed for two or three minutes, and against teams like this you can't do that. It's good it happened early so we can learn."

Circling back to the Tar Heels' pitiful shooting performance, North Carolina made 4-of-23 from three-point range on Thursday night. Bogavac did not make any excuses, stating that North Carolina had plenty of opportunities to knock down uncontested shots.

Luka Bogavac; Nov. 4, 2025 | Jackson McCurdy, North Carolina Tar Heels On SI

• "We didn't shoot the ball well from three tonight. When you're open, you have to make it. It's simple. If you hit two or three, it gives confidence to everyone and pushes us to catch up. We just have to learn from this."

The Michigan State Spartans compete against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the Fort Myers Tip-Off Beach Division game at Suncoast Credit Union Arena on Fort Myers, Fla., on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025. | Jonah Hinebaugh/Naples Daily News/USA Today Network-Florida / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

This was a well-known narrative, as head coach Hubert Davis agreed with that sentiment, and believes those missed shots led to the some of the Spartans' offensive production in transition.

• "It comes down to discipline and details. They got 46 points in the paint," Davis said. "Defending without fouling. Loose balls. Offensive rebounds — they got twelve. And offensively, executing. I felt like we had open shots from the perimeter and we didn't shoot the ball very well."

Nov 18, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Luka Bogavac (44) drives to the basket against the Navy Midshipmen during the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images | Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

Bogavac was brought in from the transfer portal to stretch the floor and hit shots from outside the perimeter consistently. However, that has been far from the case, as the guard is shooting 31.7 percent from three-point range this season.

That can be managed when coming off the bench, but with Seth Trimble out for multiple weeks, Bogavac has inherited a spot in the starting lineup. Those struggles are magnified when they occur for extended minutes.

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