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Guard play has to step up for shorthanded UNC basketball team
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- Guard play has to step up for shorthanded UNC basketball team
With no Henri Veesaar or Caleb Wilson in the starting lineup, the Tar Heels need contributions from virtually everyone else on their roster.
We're not talking about Zayden High or Jarin Stevenson , who are doing a respectable job filling in down low. In the case of this story, we're looking at North Carolina 's backcourt.
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During UNC's lopsided, 82-58 loss at NC State on Tuesday night, the backcourt struggled mightily. Luka Bogavac , who the Tar Heels recruited for his international experience, sweet shot and ability to pour in 15 points on any given night, scored just nine points against the Wolfpack.
Seth Trimble , North Carolina's captain and senior guard, contributed just four points on 1-of-9 shooting – and two made free throws. This continues a recent hot-and-cold stretch for Trimble, who scored 19 points against Pitt, just four at Miami (FL) and 16 vs. Duke.
Derek Dixon struggled with his shot the most of any UNC backcourt member, making just two of 12 attempts, while Jonathan Powell and Jaydon Young combined for 14 points off the bench. Kyan Evans took just two shots in 15 minutes, while Isaiah Denis played two minutes.
Post production is how the 2025-26 Tar Heels get most of their scoring, a stark contrast from 2024-25, which featured a guard-heavy lineup and undersized big men. North Carolina has plenty of talented guards on its current team, but they have to play consistently for team victories.
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I'm not talking every UNC guard scoring 10+ points on a given night, though that is a dream. Whether assists, taking better care of the basketball, getting higher-percentage looks or something else, guard play will dictate the Tar Heels' success, particularly as they face extensive roster injuries.
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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC basketball: Guards have to play consistent for additional wins
