North Carolina Boasts Solid Performances Despite Duke Loss

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

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 | Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images

The North Carolina Tar Heels ended their regular season with a 76-61 loss to the Duke Blue Devils on Saturday night at Cameron Indoor Stadium. It was a wake-up call for the Tar Heels, who will be without Caleb Wilson for the rest of the season after he suffered a season-ending broken thumb in last week's practice.

With all of that being said, here are the top performances for North Carolina in its lopsided loss to the Blue Devils this past weekend.

Derek Dixon

Stat line: 17 points, 3 assists, 1 rebound, and 1 steal

Mar 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Derek Dixon (3) brings the ball up court against the Clemson Tigers during the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images | Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

The freshman guard was one of the lone bright spots in this contest, as he has finally gotten out of the shooting slump he was in for the last month or so. Dixon was excellent offensively, shooting 5-of-9 from the field, including 5-of-8 from three-point range.

Over the last two games, the 6-foot-5, 200-pound guard is shooting 8-of-12 from beyond the arc, and it could not come at a more perfect time, as North Carolina is entering the conference tournament later this week.

Feb 28, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels center Henri Veesaar (13) shoots as Virginia Tech Hokies center Christian Gurdak (32) defends in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Henri Veesaar

Stat line: 11 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block

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 | Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images

This offense must run through the Arizona transfer for the rest of the season, so his seven shot attempts were a bit underwhelming, but he connected on five of them, which illustrates how efficient he can be.

In terms of involvement, head coach Hubert Davis should prioritize getting Veesaar going early in games if the Tar Heels want prolonged success in the NCAA tournament. Saturday night was frustrating, but the 6-foot-11, 224-pound center was his usual self against an elite defense.

Mar 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Jarin Stevenson (15) drives through Clemson Tigers guard Ace Buckner (21) during the first half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images | Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

Jarin Stevenson

Stat line: 10 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks

Mar 7, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Jarin Stevenson (15) is harassed by Duke Blue Devils fans as he attempts to inbound the ball during the second half at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Duke Blue Devils won 76-61. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images | Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images

For the second consecutive game, the Alabama transfer nearly recorded a double-double, this time falling one rebound short of accomplishing the feat. Stevenson shot 4-of-9 from the field, which may indicate a poor outing, but the junior forward continues to prove that he can be depended on in several ways.

With Wilson out, Stevenson will continue to be a pivotal piece in North Carolina's operation in the coming weeks.

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 | Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images

Seth Trimble

Stat line: 10 points, 6 assists, 2 rebounds, and 1 block

Mar 7, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Seth Trimble (7) shoots over Duke Blue Devils guard Caleb Foster (1) during the first half at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images | Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images

The senior guard's shooting slumps from beyond the arc continued on Saturday, as he went 0-of-3 from beyond the arc, but he still shot a modest 45.4 percent from the field.

North Carolina will need more from Trimble moving forward, and if the Tar Heels can string together multiple stops and get out in transition, it can still be a dangerous team in March.