If Tar Heel fans weren’t already reaching for antacids, Saturday’s CBS Sports Classic thriller against Ohio State probably pushed them over the edge. North Carolina escaped Atlanta with a hard-earned win, but not before putting its fan base through another nerve-rattling finish against a Buckeye team that seems to thrive on chaos.
After cruising through a stretch of lighter competition during finals week, UNC finally faced a true non-conference test. Ohio State entered the matchup at 8-2, with its only losses coming against Pitt and Illinois, and looked every bit the part of a dangerous opponent. For stretches, the Tar Heels appeared in full control — but this game was never going to be that simple.
With Seth Trimble back in the lineup and Caleb Wilson playing in front of a familiar Atlanta crowd, the energy around the program felt different. The vibes suggested a comfortable win.
Instead, UNC built an 11-point second-half lead and then spent the final minutes scrambling to protect it.
Here are the biggest takeaways from another wild chapter in the UNC–Ohio State series.
Closing Games Remains a Work in Progress
North Carolina did plenty right for most of the afternoon, but late-game execution continues to be a talking point. Defensive lapses and rushed offensive possessions allowed Ohio State to hang around far longer than necessary. Against tournament-caliber teams, those moments can be the difference between a win and a long walk off the floor.
Seth Trimble’s Return Changes the Ceiling
Trimble’s presence was felt immediately. Even if he’s still working his way back into rhythm, his defense, leadership, and composure matter — especially in tight games like this. His return gives Hubert Davis more lineup flexibility and raises UNC’s overall floor when games get uncomfortable.
Caleb Wilson Is Built for the Moment
Once again, Wilson showed why his national profile continues to rise. When the game tightened and the pressure increased, the freshman didn’t shrink. His confidence, poise, and scoring ability were essential in keeping the Tar Heels afloat when momentum threatened to swing.
Ohio State Keeps Exposing UNC’s Margin for Error
For whatever reason, games against the Buckeyes rarely come easy. Ohio State consistently forces UNC to play uncomfortable basketball, exposing small cracks that otherwise go unnoticed. While the Tar Heels survived this one, the film from this matchup should be invaluable heading into tougher conference play.
Surviving Matters — Even When It’s Ugly
At the end of the day, wins like this still count. UNC moved forward with its non-conference momentum intact, learned a few hard lessons, and proved it can survive when things get messy. Style points may come later — for now, resilience is a valuable trait.
North Carolina didn’t make things easy, but they made it out alive. And in December, that’s sometimes exactly what a good team needs.
