Five takeaways from UNC's closer-than-expected win over USC Upstate

Story by

Aidan Jensen, Tar Heels Wire

Sat, Dec 13, 2025 ·

3 min read

The North Carolina Tar Heels returned to the basketball court Saturday afternoon , hosting USC Upstate after a week off for final exams.

UNC, favored by nearly 30 points ahead of tip-off, started with strong transition offense. The Spartans slowly crept themselves back into the game, at one point taking a 21-20 lead, with approximately eight minutes left in the first half.

Upstate's lead lasted just under two minutes. North Carolina came roaring back out of the under-8 media timeout, closing the first half on a 17-7 run, en route to an 80-62 victory that ended with lockdown defense.

The Tar Heels (9-1) held the Spartans (6-6) scoreless for nearly six minutes, a defining factor in their first half-closing run. Jaydon Young gave UNC a lead that never disappeared, scoring his lone points on a clutch 3-pointer, while Caleb Wilson , Luka Bogavac and Henri Veesaar all scored during their team's much-needed run.

Perimeter shooting, an issue of inconsistency for North Carolina through its first nine games, was another defining factor in Saturday's win. Bogavac and Jonathan Powell , the latter of whom tied his career-high with 17 points, each drained three trifectas.

The Spartans (6-6) kept themselves within striking distance thanks to their own perimeter shooting, finishing 10-of-27 (37%). Upstate also gave itself plenty of second-chance point opportunities, wining the offensive rebounding battle 11-7.

Every good team needs an early-season scare, which the Tar Heels got plenty of from the Spartans. Take a look at our five takeaways from today's win.

Jonathan Powell's emergence gives UNC a GOOD roster problem.

Dec 13, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Jonathan Powell (11) scores in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Powell, a West Virginia transfer, is typically UNC's first man off the bench. He's a defensive-minded guard who also packs a scoring punch.

Saturday was Powell's breakout game in a Tar Heel uniform, tying his career high with 17 points. Powell drained six shots overall, three shots from deep and two free throws, while adding two steals and a rebound.

Seth Trimble will take over starting shooting guard duties when he returns from injury, which could be very soon, but Powell's breakout provided the Tar Heels with a fringe starter.

Free throw shooting is a problem that needs to be fixed

Dec 13, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Caleb Wilson (8) at the free throw line in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

As great a game UNC played, guys struggled from the charity stripe. The Tar Heels made just 14 of their 22 free throws, with Caleb Wilson making a team-high seven – but also missing six.

North Carolina has to convert on its free chances, which prove the deciding factors come tournament time. Expect Hubert Davis having his players spend extra time at the charity stripe in ensuing practices.

Strong perimeter shooting helped UNC win

Dec 13, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Luka Bogavac (44) dribbles as USC Upstate Spartans guard Carmelo Adkins (4) defends in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Most of the Tar Heels' offensive production comes from their post players, but head coach Hubert Davis made it an offseason priority to upgrade his team's perimeter shooting.

After a rough start from deep to begin its 2025-26 season, UNC is finally getting perimeter shots to fall. North Carolina made 10 threes on 23 attempts (43 percent) against Upstate, with Bogavac and Powell each making three.

The Tar Heels shot the ball well overall (28-of-55, 51%), but perimeter shooting was the offensive difference Saturday.

UNC allowed too many second-chance looks

Dec 13, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels center Henri Veesaar (13) passes the ball as USC Upstate Spartans center Coen Collier (7) defends at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Saturday was a rare day for UNC in one area: offensive rebounding, a program staple. USC Upstate out-rebounded the Tar Heels, 11-7, but didn't always convert on second-chance opportunities.

If this happened against a team like Kansas or Duke , there's a good chance North Carolina loses. Luckily, defense pulled through and kept the visiting Spartans at bay.

UNC will play better against ETSU

Dec 13, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Derek Dixon (3) and forward James Brown (2) and USC Upstate Spartans forward Jafeth Martinez (12) dive for the ball in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Even with exams all last week, UNC practiced every day. Davis denied exams as an excuse for the Tar Heels' lackluster play at times today, but in reality, his guys weren't 100 percent focused on basketball.

North Carolina has a quick turnaround, hosting ETSU on Tuesday at 8 p.m. With no final exams to worry about, players can zero in on their next opponent.

This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC Basketball: Five takeaways from Saturday victory vs. USC Upstate