UNC demolishes ETSU behind career night from Henri Veesaar
For one half of basketball Tuesday night in Chapel Hill, UNC and ETSU appeared destined for a low-scoring, defensive slugfest.
The visiting Buccaneers , entering Tuesday's game at 8-3, controlled the tempo and tried running out shot clocks each possession. The host Tar Heels struggled to generate their fast-paced, transition offense, letting ETSU do what they wanted.
That all quickly changed in the second half. North Carolina scored the first seven points, broke things open with a 15-point run and won in blowout fashion, 77-58.
Tar Heel Nation knows how good Henri Veesaar is, but the 7-foot Arizona transfer was spectacular Tuesday night. Veesaar took advantage of a much-shorter ETSU (8-4) squad, consistently bullying his way into the paint to finish with easy layups and dunks, while stepping outside to hit a couple of 3-pointers.
Veesaar was extremely efficient, making 10 of his 11 shot attempts and all four free throws, for a career-best 26 points.
Going into Tuesday's game, we said how UNC (10-1) needed a strong showing from the perimeter to win. North Carolina drained 32 of their threes, but shot an efficient 54% overall.
The Tar Heels allowed five offensive rebounds in the first half, but head coach Hubert Davis must've said something in the halftime locker room. North Carolina boxed out in the final 20 minutes and won the rebounding battle.
Would it really be a UNC basketball game unless Caleb Wilson did something crazy impressive? Wilson dunked home the basketball a couple times, including one that likely makes its way onto Wednesday morning's SportsCenter Top 10.
The Tar Heels needed this first-half scare again. Credit to ETSU, which is a good mid-major team that'll make plenty of noise in the SoCon.
North Carolina now prepares for a return to Wilson's hometown of Atlanta, Ga., with a Saturday matchup against Ohio State in the CBS Sports Classic . Can UNC push its winning streak to five?
FINAL: UNC 77, ETSU 58
The Tar Heels came roaring out of halftime with a 7-point swing, blew the game pen with a 15-0 run and won by 19. North Carolina wins its fourth straight game behind a career-high 26 points from Henri Veesaar.
Lead up to 20!
Henri Veesaar is taking over this second half. Veesaar's latest bucket, a tough layup, extends UNC's lead to 60-39.
UNC extends lead to 16 at under-12 media timeout
North Carolina is finally playing at its fast tempo, while forcing ETSU to play out of system. Tar Heels lead the Buccaneers, 55-39, with 11:40 left in the second half.
Four free throws...four makes!
Thanks to an ETSU technical foul, UNC shot four consecutive free throws – and made all four. Derek Dixon drained the first two, followed by two more from Henri Veesaar.
SportsCenter Top 10 candidate?
Welcome to the scoring party, James Brown!
In just one play, James Brown showed why he should be Henri Veesaar's primary backup. Brown caught the basketball down low, bullied his way under the hoop, converted a contested lay-up and will go to the line for a free throw.
UNC leads ETSU, 47-32, at the second half's under-16 media timeout.
Quick second-half start for the Tar Heels!
UNC wasted NO time coming out of the locker room, scoring seven quick points to start the second half. Henri Veesaar nailed a pair of free throws and drained a 3-pointer, while Caleb Wilson dunked the basketball again.
North Carolina leads ETSU, 45-40, just 1:31 into the second half. The Bucs called a timeout.
Henri Veesaar took over in the first half
Veesaar was undoubtedly the Tar Heels' best player in their opening 20 minutes, leading all hoopers with 13 points and five rebounds.
UNC shooting the ball exremely well in first-half action
ETSU might be trying to slow the tempo, but UNC continues to shoot the basketball well at a slower pace. North Carolina made 14 of its first 22 attempts (64 percent) from the field, including a 6-of-12 (50%) mark from deep.
Tar Heels up eight at the half
UNC's lead is up to eight at the half, with a 38-30 advantage over ETSU. This is North Carolina's largest lead of the night.
Jarin Stevenson block...Jonathan Powell layup
The short, scrappy ETSU Buccaneers tried their chances at a late, first-half layup. Jarin Stevenson blocked ETSU's shot, quickly pushed the basketball up-court, then Jonathan Powell finished at the hoop and extended UNC's lead to 35-27.
Excellent defense leads to an easy two!
Jarin Stevenson and Henri Veesaar trapped ETSU right near half-court, leading to an errant pass. Great ball movement under the hoop led to an easy two for UNC, finishing the possession on a Stevenson layup.
North Carolina leads, 33-27.
Perimeter shooting may very well lead UNC to victory.
UNC leading again...but there's issues.
The Tar Heels lead the Buccaneers, 25-23, with 3:54 left in the first half. ETSU has a 5-1 advantage in offensive rebounding, a big issue for North Carolina in recent games.
UNC would be up more if players started boxing out consistently.
Do you agree?
Henri Veesaar's defense forces a turnover...and timeout!
With the score tied at 19-all and ETSU under the basket, UNC center Henri Veesaar forced a shot clock violation and media timeout.
North Carolina will retain possession with 7:31 left in the first half.
ETSU takes a first-half lead
The Bucs drain a 3-pointer, taking a 17-16 lead over UNC midway through the first half. ETSU continues controlling the pace.
Both teams playing at a slow pace...UNC leads by two
The Tar Heels lead the Buccaneers, 16-4, with 11:01 left in the opening half. ETSU is controlling the game with its slow pace, but its failure to make shots is proving beneficial for North Carolina.
Can UNC control the boards tonight?
We have ourselves a ballgame in Chapel Hill
The Tar Heels are in for a tough battle tonight. UNC and ETSU are tied at 9-9 with 15:32 left in the first half, which means the under-16 media timeout.
The visiting Bucs have a chance to take the lead, as Blake Barkley will shoot free throws out of the break.
Updated tip time...thanks Duke.
Here comes Seth Trimble!
The hope is that Trimble returns Saturday against Ohio State.
No change in starting lineup
Kyan Evans , Luka Bogavac , Jarin Stevenson, Caleb Wilson and Henri Veesaar all draw starts for Tuesday night's game.
Where could he be?
Seth Trimble, UNC's senior guard and leader, hasn't played since an 87-74 win over Kansas last month. Trimble broke his left forearm in the weight room, but he continues gaining momentum towards playing soon.
Here's what needs to happen.
Jarin Stevenson warming up.
The Chapel Hill native started each of UNC's first 10 games – and is thriving. Stevenson, a defensive-minded forward who can score in a punch, already has career-bests of 26.9 minutes, 6.6 points and 4.3 rebounds per game, plus a 71.6 percent mark on free throws.
Caleb Wilson makes UNC fans happy.
What channel is UNC vs. ETSU on Tuesday? Time, TV schedule, radio
TV Channel: ACC Network
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Radio: SiriusXM (Channel 193)
Website: WatchESPN
Where to watch UNC vs. ETSU on live stream
UNC vs. ETSU prediction, picks, odds
The Buccaneers are no joke, but they lack a quality victory on their schedule. North Carolina, despite early struggles on Saturday, is a solid team.
The Tar Heels are aggressive attacking the basket, while continuing their perimeter shooting prowess. UNC finds additional bench contributions, highlighted by a big game from freshman guard Isaiah Denis
Score prediction: UNC 85, ETSU 72
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC demolishes ETSU on Tuesday night, wins 10th game in 11 tries
