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UNC nearly undefeated when Henri Veesaar records a double-double
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- UNC nearly undefeated when Henri Veesaar records a double-double
Still in disbelief about the ending of Monday night's UNC-Syracuse basketball game ? You shouldn't be, because North Carolina won its fourth-straight game, but your concerns are valid.
The Tar Heels withstood a late charge from the Orange, winning 87-77 . UNC (18-4, 6-3 ACC), up by 32 at one point, watched its lead dwindle down to six late.
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Henri Veesaar enjoyed another big night at the 5-spot, recording a 17-point, 11-rebound double-double. Veesaar passed his own teammate, Caleb Wilson, for most double-doubles in the ACC (12).
Just how good is North Carolina when Veesaar thrives? When Veesaar registers a double-double, the Tar Heels are 11-1.
UNC's lone loss during Veesaar's double-double stretch came January 17, during an 84-78 loss at Cal. Since then, Veesaar has three in four games – all wins.
The Tar Heels lacked a center of Veesaar's caliber during their disappointing, 2024-25 campaign. Ven-Allen Lubin emerged late as an undersized center, but bigger teams gave North Carolina trouble.
What makes Veesaar's breakout campaign significantly more impressive, is the fact he didn't record a singleone last year at Arizona. The 7-footer only started five of his 37 appearances in Tuscon, but is now a full-time starter during Year One in Chapel Hill.
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Wilson and Veesaar form the country's best frontcourt – and few others come close. When opponents double-team Wilson, Veesaar is right there to take over. Veesaar double-teamed? Wilson is there, too.
If UNC wants to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament, Veesaar needs to continue his current level of production. Based on recent success, the chances of Veesaar's breakout season continuing are very high.
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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC basketball 11-1 when Henri Veesaar registers double-double
