Caleb Wilson powers UNC basketball past Kansas

The North Carolina Tar Heels passed their first big test of the 2025-26 college basketball season. With No. 16 Kansas coming into Chapel Hill for the first time, the Tar Heels looked to get a big early season win.

And a dominant second half performance did just that.

The Tar Heels took down the Jayhawks 87-74, backed by a big second half. After falling behind and looking sluggish in the first half, UNC trailed 37-29 at the break. Then, they flipped a switch.

UNC outscored Kansas 58-37 in that second half, dominating from the start out of the break. The Tar Heels controlled the paint and shot the ball a lot better while only having one turnover in the second half. Their effort was led by star freshman Caleb Wilson who had 24 points on 9-of-12 shooting and he added seven rebounds and four assists.

The Tar Heels had four players score in double-figures with Henri Veesaar adding 20, Seth Trimble 17, and Kyan Evans getting 12.

This win also snaps a five-game losing streak to the Jayhawks and gives them their first win in the series since 2002 in the preseason NIT. UNC moves to 2-0 on the year and will host Radford on Tuesday night.

FINAL: UNC 87, Kansas 74

Caleb Wilson with an exclamation point on the game

Freshman Caleb Wilson put his stamp on this game with a huge dunk in the final seconds.

North Carolina is looking to close this out

The Tar Heels have an 85-71 lead with just under two minutes to go as they are looking to close out the game and get a big win.

North Carolina controlling the second half

UNC is up 81-68 with just under four minutes left as they look to close this game out and get a big win.

North Carolina keeps extending the lead

A few big shots including three-pointers from Jonathan Powell and Luka Bogavac have extended the Tar Heels lead to 73-57 with 8:10 left.

Bryson Tiller fouls out

The Kansas freshman has picked up his fifth foul with 9:22 left in the game. He made four three-pointers in the first half but has been silent since.

UNC's lead into double digits

North Carolina has come out red hot in the second half. They now lead 58-48 with just under 12 minutes left.

The Dean Dome is ROCKING!!!!

North Carolina has grabbed the lead behind some hot shooting. Jarin Stevenson and Kyan Evans hit three pointers as UNC leads 52-46 with 14:14 left in the game.

UNC starts second half strong

The Tar Heels open the second half on a 8-2 run to cut the lead down to two at 39-37. Henri Veesaar has two buckets while Seth Trimble has two as well.

HALFTIME: Kansas 37, UNC 29

The Tar Heels struggled to end the first half, allowing Kansas to close out on a 12-4 run. UNC really needs to limit the turnovers and shoot better in the second half.

Kansas goes on a run to grab the lead

Kansas is on a 10-0 run, including hitting three-straight three pointers to take a 32-25 lead at the under-4 timeout.

UNC takes its first lead of the night

Back-to-back three-pointers by Zayden High and Henri Veesaar have given the Tar Heels a 25-22 lead late in the first half.

North Carolina battles back

The Tar Heels are playing better defensively and have cut the lead down to three at 20-17 with Seth Trimble going to the line for free throws.

UNC struggling from the field

North Carolina missed five straight shots, allowing Kansas to build the lead out to seven. But Caleb Wilson ends the drought with a bucket and a foul. Kansas leads 20-15.

Kansas leads early

The Jayhawks have an 18-13 lead at the under-12 timeout. The Tar Heels are 1-of-9 from the three-point line to start the game.

Caleb Wilson throws it down for UNC's first points

While Kansas got the first bucket, freshman Caleb Wilson threw down a big dunk on a rebound. Kansas still leads early 7-5.

Kansas takes the court for warmups

How to Watch UNC vs. Kansas

WHAT?North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Kansas Jayhawks

WHEN?Friday, November 7 at 7 p.m. ET

WHERE?Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C.

TV?ESPN

RADIO? SiriusXM (Channel 193 and 198)

LINE?UNC-2.5

LAST MEETING?Kansas 92, UNC 89 on 11/8/24 in Allen Fieldhouse

ALL-TIME SERIES: Kansas leads, 7-6

PREDICTION?UNC 78, Kansas 75

This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC Basketball: Caleb Wilson helps lead Tar Heels past Kansas