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Instant reactions to UNC's basketball domination of rival NC State Wednesday night
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- Instant reactions to UNC's basketball domination of rival NC State Wednesday night
You've heard the age-old adage countless times if you watch sports: a win is a win. For a basketball team like the 2024-2025 North Carolina Tar Heels , you'll take any victory you can get.
On Wednesday, February 19 inside the Dean Dome, UNC beat NC State and swept the regular-season series. North Carolina (16-11, 9-6 ACC) didn't just win against its in-state rivals, but dominated the Wolfpack 97-73 in arguably its most complete performance of 2025.
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The Tar Heels played virtually everyone on their roster, rolling 13 deep and getting points from 10 of their guys. RJ Davis anchored UNC's scoring attack with 21 points, shooting 6-of-18 from the field and making all eight free throws attempts. Ven-Allen Lubin turned in another solid effort with 13 points and five rebounds, while Seth Trimble and Ian Jackson provided reliability off the bench, combining for 27 points and nine rebounds.
Winter weather prevented fans from filling the Dean Dome , like it typically would be against a rival, but it sounded louder inside. North Carolina generously opened the doors for FREE admission to the public, which allowed students to fill the entire lower level. Genius move, Tar Heels!
UNC played just about as perfect a game you could ask for. North Carolina looked hungry, fed off the crowd's energy and realized that every game truly matters from here on out.
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The Tar Heels quickly turn around to host Virginia on Saturday at 4 p.m. UNC could fall victim to the Cavaliers' (13-13, 6-9) slow pace, but quick starts like tonight's will avert any potential issues.
Did North Carolina do enough to save its season Wednesday night? Was the Tar Heels' blowout victory a result of playing a bad team? Keep reading below, as we deliver five reactions from a snowy night in Chapel Hill.
Students need to have permanent seats around the court
Feb 19, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Seth Trimble (7) passes the ball as North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Jayden Taylor (8) defends in the first half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Winter weather in Chapel Hill Wednesday undoubtedly led to more empty, upper-level seats. UNC is a team that thrives on fan support, with its arena one of the country's loudest at peak performance times.
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North Carolina made an extremely smart move just hours before tip-off, opening the entire arena to FREE admission for anyone willing to make the trek. Season ticket holders, Rams Club members and those already with ticket would be able to sit in their seats, but everything else was fair game.
With this decision, Tar Heel students filled the lower bowl inside the Dean Dome. This led to immense energy: I felt like I was at the game, even though I watched on TV.
UNC needs to do this every home game. There's only so many left in 2025, but Bubba Cunningham may want to consider this going forward.
Hubert Davis finally found a rotation that works...he should stick with it
Feb 19, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Jae'Lyn Withers (24) celebrates after guard RJ Davis (4) hits a three point shot in the first half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
There's no doubt UNC has an extremely skilled backcourt, but playing 4-guard lineups just doesn't work, particularly with an undersized team.
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North Carolina played a taller starting lineup Wednesday night: Lubin at center, Jae'Lyn Withers at power forward, Drake Powell at small forward, with RJ Davis and Elliot Cadeau starting at both guard poisitions.
Basketball teams should be 1-5, despite positional fluidity in today's game. The Tar Heels looked phenomenal Wednesday, finding a recipe that could very well keep them playing into late March.
Seth Trimble plays best coming off the bench
Feb 19, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Seth Trimble (7) and North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Michael O'Connell (12) fight for the ball in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Trimble is one of UNC's most well-rounded players. Trimble is easily North Carolina's best defender, he elevated his offensive game in the offseason, can knock down occasional 3-pointers and throw down thunderous dunks.
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Trimble started before injuring himself earlier in the Tar Heels' season, paving the way for Ian Jackson proving himself as an offensive star. Even with Jackson taking over Trimble' starting spot, the latter still occasionally found himself in the starting lineup.
In 26 minutes off the bench Wednesday night, Trimble scored 15 points and added seven rebounds. Trimble will contribute whichever way he can best help UNC, but he thrives as the sixth man.
North Carolina has rare momentum heading into a should-be easier stretch
Feb 19, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Elliot Cadeau (3) celebrates with guard RJ Davis (4) in the first half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
A 2-game winning streak is anything but lengthy, thought it's much-needed for a team like UNC trying to fight for its NCAA Tournament hopes.
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North Carolina beat Syracuse in New York on February 15, then dominated NC State Wednesday in Chapel Hill. The Tar Heels' remaining schedule includes winnable games against UVA, Florida State, Miami (FL) and Virginia – all of whom have losing ACC records – before a golden Quad 1 opportunity against Duke on March 8.
Ideally, UNC is a bubble team for the Big Dance. Two straight wins are exactly what North Carolina needs at this point in the season.
The Tar Heels own NC State, even including the 2024 ACC Tournament Championship
Feb 19, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard RJ Davis (4) shoots as North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Trey Parker (5) defends in the first half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
With Wednesday's victory, UNC swept NC State in regular season play for the second straight year. You could go as far to saying that UNC-State isn't a basketball rivalry, given how one-sided the matchups are in recent years.
North Carolina hasn't lost to NC State in Chapel Hill since January 27, 2018. The Tar Heels last lost a regular season matchup to the Wolfpack on February 19, 2023 – two years ago today.
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: Five takeaways from UNC's dominant basketball win over NC State
