UNC’s Kyan Evans Details Momentum Shift in Win Over Kansas

North Carolina point guard Kyan Evans spoke to the media folllowing the Tar Heels 87-74 win over Kansas. Evans shot 5-for-11 from the field for 15 points with three asissists, two rebounds and two steals.

To hear what Kyan Evans had to say, check out the video below along with a partial transcript of Hubert Davis' postgame presser.

On the second half adjustments…

Nov 7, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis in the first half at Dean E. Smith Center. | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

But they weren't doing it, yeah, the first half, you know, from an offensive standpoint, I think it was two things. One, who returned the ball over, they had 10 turnovers, and I think they had 17 points off those turnovers. So it was almost like pick sixes for us.

And then our offense, we were, you know, one of the things that we talk about is point five mentality. And you catch the ball, you just shoot it, you pass it or drive it. Ball movement, player movement, chain sides of the floor. That's not what we were doing in the first half, lot of standing, lot of holding, lot of dribbling.

And against a team like Kansas with their lift and their athleticism, they were switching everything, whether it was on the ball or off the ball, it just, it just wasn't good offense for us. And so in the second half was the exact opposite. We always change sides of the floor. We had great, you know, ball and player movement that allowed us to find lanes to be able to attack the basket.

On Caleb Wilson’s connection with UNC fans…

Nov 7, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Caleb Wilson (8) at the free throw line in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

“He’s played less than two games, and already the whole crowd is cheering his every move. Is there something he does to connect with people beyond just being a great basketball player? Absolutely. He truly connects with people. When he steps onto the court, his talent is obvious, but when he enters a room, you can immediately feel his personality.

His presence lights up a room the moment he walks in. Of course, he’s incredibly gifted as a basketball player, but he’s also such a genuine and kind person.

He was inviting people to the game at the Pit this afternoon, and we had a whiteout because Caleb went on social media and said, ‘I want a whiteout.’ It’s the first whiteout I’ve had in 14 years. Here we have a freshman declaring we’re having a whiteout, and suddenly 22,000 people show up wearing white. I honestly believe if he ran for student body president, he would win—and he’s only been here three months.”

On this team getting to experience big games…

UNC — Nov 7, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson (22) shoots as North Carolina Tar Heels forward Jarin Stevenson (15) defends in the first half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

I told them this after the game. I didn't tell them before the game, but it was really the number one thing for me is I wanted this new team, this new group, to have evidence of what it's like to play in a game like this in the Smith Center, to come up big. I just wanted them to have a taste of what it's like to be here.

And that's the thing I you know, I won't remember the score, but I'll remember them jumping around in the locker room. I remember the smiles on their faces and I mean, since I've been alive. I mean, we lost to Kansas in 1991 Final Four my junior year, my first year as an assistant, we lost to Kansas in the second round of the NCAA tournament.

Obviously, we lost to them in the national championship game four years ago, and lost to them last year. So it's nice to against a story program, unbelievable coaching team, to be able to come out on the other side.

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