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Five takeaways from UNC's last-second upset of Duke on Saturday night
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- Five takeaways from UNC's last-second upset of Duke on Saturday night
If you tuned into UNC-Duke basketball on Saturday night, you witnessed an instant classic – perhaps the best game from Chapel Hill in this long-standing, Tobacco Road rivalry.
North Carolina trailed for nearly the entiregame, only tying things at 2-2 and later 68-all. With the score still tied at 68 in the final seconds, Derek Dixon drove towards the basket. Smothered down low by Blue Devils , Dixon kicked the basketball out to a wide-open Seth Trimble in the corner.
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In the final home, UNC- Duke game of his 4-year collegiate career, Trimble swished his 3-pointer with 0.4 seconds left. The Dean Dome erupted in pandemonium, fans stormed the court and the Tar Heels won an instant classic – 71-68.
After Trimble's shot initially swished through the net, fans stormed the court. What everyone didn't realize until minutes later, though, is 0.4 seconds remained on the clock. North Carolina (19-4, 7-3 ACC) PA announcer Dave Lohse urgently voiced his concerns for fans to leave the court – and after some time – play resumed.
The Blue Devils ' (21-2, 10-1 ACC) full-court heave amounted to nothing – and fans stormed the court again. Whether you watched the game on TV, listened on your radio or were lucky enough to be here in person, the Dean Dome was absolute cinema after the final buzzer sounded.
Trimble's game-winner proved part of a massive second half for him, which included 10 points. Trimble finished his last UNC-Duke game in Chapel Hill with 16 points (one of three Tar Heels in double-digits), two rebounds, a game-high three steals and one block.
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Caleb Wilson anchored North Carolina's scoring attack with 23 points, just one off Cameron Boozer 's game-high 24. UNC center Henri Veesaar , scoreless in the first-half, recorded a second half double-double that ended with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
In a game with endless positives, there's more than five takeaways. If you had to narrow it down to five top takeaways, though, check these out below:
Seth Trimble deserved every moment of his game-winner
Feb 7, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Seth Trimble (7) shoots over Duke Blue Devils guard Caleb Foster (1) in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
In a college basketball era where players rarely stay with one team for all four years, Seth Trimble is a rare exception.
Trimble came into UNC during the 2022-23 season, a year which ended in utter disappointment. Trimble started just one game the following year, entered himself in the transfer portal, then quickly withdrew himself.
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Now in the 2025-26 college basketball season, Trimble is a full-time starter on – arguably – the best North Carolina team in his 4-year career.
Trimble delivered his signature moment Saturday night against Duke, nailing a game-winning three that caused a near-earthquake in the Dean Dome, hitting the "night night" celebration after the fact. Trimble ended this historic game with 16 points, three steals, two rebounds and a block.
Trimble's ultimate goal is to end his collegiate career with a National Championship. For now, though, a game-winner against the Tar Heels' archrival will do the trick.
Caleb Wilson kept UNC within striking distance
Caleb Wilson delivered throughout Saturday's win, but his first-half alone kept an otherwise-cold shooting UNC in the game, scoring 17 points. Wilson nailed tricky turnarounds, finished through contact and did every superhero thing possible you can imagine.
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Wilson ended his first-ever UNC-Duke game with a team-best 23 points, plus four rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block. The Tar Heels picked things up in the second half, but Wilson was the main reason they had a fighting chance.
Henri Veesaar was the main reason behind North Carolina's comeback
Feb 7, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels center Henri Veesaar (13) with the ball as Duke Blue Devils forward Cameron Boozer (12) defends in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
After Henri Veesaar's big game against Syracuse on Monday, which included another double-double to pass Wilson for most in the ACC, his first-half performance against Duke proved concerning.
Veesaar had no points and just two rebounds, with the Blue Devils bullying him down low. At halftime, something had to chance.
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Veesaar looked like a completely different player in the second half, finishing with a 13-point, 11-rebound double-double. While Trimble's game-winner will be the shot talked about more than any other, Veesaar nailed the game-tying triple to knot things at 68-all.
With no Veesaar, the Tar Heels don't upset their archrival. Veesaar enjoyed a big moment of his own – and UNC fans are forever grateful for him.
Give North Carolina's defense credit, especially late
Feb 7, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Caleb Wilson (8) and Duke Blue Devils forward Cameron Boozer (12) fight for the ball in the first half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Duke couldn't miss in the first half, starting the game nearly 80 percent from the field. The Blue Devils made deep jumpers with ease, muscled their way to the basket and looked in control.
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Starting guard Caleb Foster made a layup with 2:51 left in the second half, giving Duke a 68-62 lead. From that point on, though, North Carolina's defense took over.
The Tar Heels held their archrivals scoreless over the final 2:50, ending the game on a 9-0 run. Derek Dixon drained a three to close UNC's gap to 68-65, Veesaar tied the game a minute later and Trimble nailed the game-winner.
Perimeter shooting secured the victory for North Carolina, but defense made it possible.e
These Tar Heels can play with anyone.
Feb 7, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Seth Trimble (7) celebrates with teammates after the game at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
When UNC upset Kansas back in November, fans got a glimpse of how special this team can be. Add a road December upset of Kentucky, people started to see North Carolina as a dangerous threat.
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The Tar Heels' last-second upset of Duke topped both their previous ranked wins. Miami (FL) will be a tough test on Tuesday, followed by a road trip to NC State the following week and – of course – a rematch in Durham on March 7.
UNC proved it can beat anyone in the country – and that includes additional, national title contenders in March.
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC Basketball: Five takeaways from Saturday comeback winover Duke
