Caleb Wilson showed out in front of a hometown crowd at Georgia Tech in Atlanta Saturday, scoring 22 points to lead the Tar Heels past the Yellow Jackets, 91-75.

Wilson set two new UNC program records with his performance. After the freshman eclipsed double digits, it marked the 21st consecutive game to begin his collegiate career in which Wilson has scored at least 10 points, breaking the record of 20 previously held by Rashad McCants. And once Wilson reached 20 points, it marked his 15th 20-point game of the season, breaking a tie with Tyler Hansbrough for the most ever by a Tar Heel freshman.

Wilson’s star power helped pace a Carolina offense which eclipsed 90 points for the third time in its last five games. The Tar Heels scored 52 of their 91 points in the first half, shooting 22-44 (50 percent) from the field and building a 15-point lead at halftime — the largest of the season for UNC in an ACC game. Wilson and Henri Veesaar combined for 25 of those 52 points, with Veesaar nearly recording a double-double in the first half by adding nine rebounds to his 11 points.

Veesaar would finish with a double-double, scoring 20 points and grabbing a team-high 12 rebounds. It was Veesaar’s 11th double-double of the season, tying him with Wilson for the most in the ACC. But it was Wilson who had the highlight of the day, soaring through the air for a massive one-handed dunk off an alley-oop from Kyan Evans.

Seth Trimble (18 points) and Luka Bogavac (16) also posted efficient nights on the offensive end. As a team, UNC only turned the ball over twice in the entire game and didn’t commit a single turnover in the second half. The two total giveaways are the Tar Heels’ fewest of the season and tie a program record for the fewest ever in a game. UNC has committed fewer than 10 turnovers in each of its last three games.

On the other end, Carolina forced 12 Georgia Tech turnovers and turned those into 18 points. The Tar Heels’ 10 steals matched a season high in ACC games. The Yellow Jackets finished with no points off of UNC’s 12 turnovers. Carolina also held decisive advantages in second-chance points (20-12), bench points (26-18) and points in the paint (44-32).

Baye Ndongo led all scorers with 27 points for the Yellow Jackets, who shot 13-26 (50 percent) in the second half but failed to ever threaten the UNC lead. Carolina led by double digits for the entire final 20 minutes.

Saturday’s win is the third in a row for UNC, which is now 17-4 overall and 5-3 in ACC play. The Tar Heels will be back in action when they host Syracuse at the Smith Center Monday night at 7 p.m.

 

Featured image via Associated Press/Colin Hubbard

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.

Related Stories
‹
Here's the Complete Bracket for the 2026 ACC Men's Basketball Tournament
The 2026 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament begins Tuesday at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte. UNC is the No. 4 seed in the field and is seeking its first tournament title since 2016. Here’s the complete tournament bracket, which will be updated throughout the week:   For ACC Tournament ticket information, click here. Chapelboro.com does not charge […]
UNC Men's Basketball in the 2026 ACC Tournament: How to Watch, Cord-Cutting Options and Tip-Off Times
The 2026 ACC Tournament will take place in Charlotte this week. UNC received a double bye into Thursday’s quarterfinal round as the No. 4 seed in the field. The Tar Heels are seeking their first tournament title since 2016. If you aren’t following the team to Charlotte, here’s how you can follow along at home: […]
Chansky's Notebook: The State of Basketball
As usual, the state of North Carolina will be punching well above its weight in this year's NCAA Tournament.
UNC's Caleb Wilson Named First Team All-ACC, Henri Veesaar Named to Second Team
UNC’s Caleb Wilson and Henri Veesaar each earned All-ACC honors Monday afternoon. Wilson was named first team All-ACC, while Veesaar received a spot on the second team. Despite playing in just 24 games due to injuries, Wilson still finished as the UNC leader in steals (36), finished second in blocks (33, two behind Veesaar’s 35) […]
UNC Basketball in the AP Poll: Women Up to No. 15, Men Down to No. 19
Both the UNC men’s and women’s basketball teams made moves in the most recent AP Polls, which were released Monday. The women’s team moved up one spot to No. 15, while the men’s team slipped two spots to No. 19. On the men’s side, the Tar Heels dropped after splitting their final two games of […]
Caleb Wilson's Injury Stings for UNC Men's Basketball. Its Lack of Effort vs. Duke Stings Even More.
Whether UNC likes it or not, it will have to navigate the postseason without the services of injured freshman star Caleb Wilson.
No. 1 Duke Pulls Away in 2nd Half, Smothers UNC Men's Basketball in Regular-Season Finale
No. 1 Duke broke open what had been a five-point game at halftime with a smothering defensive performance in the second half, pulling away from UNC for a 76-61 win in the regular-season finale in Durham Saturday night. With Caleb Wilson sidelined after breaking his right thumb in practice during the week, the Carolina offense […]
UNC's Caleb Wilson Breaks Right Thumb in Practice, Now Out for Season
UNC star freshman Caleb Wilson broke his right thumb during a non-contact drill in practice Thursday and will undergo season-ending surgery. ESPN’s Shams Charania initially reported the news, which was confirmed by the program shortly after. According to UNC, Wilson broke the thumb while dunking. The injury comes as Wilson was reportedly nearing a return […]
Chansky's Notebook: The Return of the King?
Caleb Wilson's left hand may be out of its cast, but the UNC star's status is still shrouded in mystery ahead of Saturday's game at Duke.
UNC Men's Basketball at Duke (2026): How to Watch, Cord-Cutting Options and Tip-Off Time
UNC will play its final game of the regular season Saturday night when it visits No. 1 Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Tar Heels are looking for a regular season sweep of the Blue Devils. If you aren’t attending the game in Durham, here’s how to follow along at home: Broadcast Schedule Those hoping […]
›