CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — In a stunning turnaround that electrified the Dean E. Smith Center, the No. 25 North Carolina Tar Heels rallied from a halftime deficit to defeat the No. 19 Kansas Jayhawks 87-74 on Friday night, marking their first victory over the storied program since 2002.
The win not only snapped a five-game losing streak against Kansas but also served as an early validation for head coach Hubert Davis' offseason roster overhaul, following a season where the Tar Heels barely qualified for the NCAA tournament. Freshman standout Caleb Wilson led the charge with 24 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and four steals, showcasing the potential of a revamped lineup that includes transfers and returning veterans.
North Carolina struggled early, trailing by as many as 10 points in the first half amid turnovers and a sluggish offense. The Jayhawks, coached by Bill Self, built a 37-29 lead at the break, capitalizing on efficient shooting and strong play from freshman Darryn Peterson, who finished with 22 points on 8-for-14 shooting.
But the Tar Heels emerged from the locker room with renewed vigor, shooting an impressive 24 of 36 (66.7%) from the field in the second half to pour in 58 points. Arizona transfer Henri Veesaar contributed 20 points, including key dunks that ignited the comeback, while senior Seth Trimble added 17 points, with 13 coming after halftime.
Trimble's defensive effort against Peterson drew particular praise from both coaches. According to Self, Trimble 'blanketed Darryn in a way that, to me, was terrific,' limiting the Kansas freshman's opportunities even as he reached 22 points. Davis echoed the sentiment, noting that the team adjusted its defensive strategy in the second half, moving away from switching to leave perimeter players like Trimble to handle their assignments individually.
'He blanketed Darryn in a way that, to me, was terrific,' Self said. 'Caleb was the best player probably in the game. But you can make a strong case for Henri and for Seth, too. The way that [Trimble] guarded Darryn and playing on top of everything, even though Darryn got off 14 shots, that was a situation that he probably needed to get off 20 or 22 [to win].'
Wilson, a 6-foot-10 forward touted as a potential one-and-done NBA prospect, displayed versatility throughout the game. He connected on multiple fading turnaround jumpers and maintained high energy, diving for loose balls and rallying the crowd in the final moments. 'I want to impress my coach, I want to impress the world,' Wilson said after the game. 'I want to let the world know who I am for sure.'
The atmosphere in Chapel Hill was charged, with fans participating in a whiteout inspired by a social media post from Wilson himself. This energy seemed to fuel the Tar Heels' second-half surge, which began with Veesaar dunking a pass from Kyan Evans and following up with another slam off a missed 3-pointer by Wilson.
Trimble's back-to-back transition scores early in the second half prompted Self to call a timeout just two minutes in, as Kansas appeared frustrated by the shift in momentum. Veesaar outplayed Kansas big man Flory Bidunga, who managed only eight points, further highlighting North Carolina's dominance inside after the break.
This victory holds historical significance for the two programs, which together boast 10 NCAA championships. Kansas had dominated the recent series, winning the last five meetings, including the 2022 national championship game in Davis' debut season, the 2012 NCAA Elite Eight, and the 2008 Final Four where the Jayhawks led 40-12 at one point.
The last North Carolina win over Kansas came in November 2002, under coach Matt Doherty, against a Jayhawks team led by Roy Williams—who would later return to his alma mater to coach the Tar Heels starting in 2003. Friday's result reversed a trend from last season, when UNC lost eight of nine games against AP Top 25 opponents, including a narrow defeat at Kansas where the Jayhawks squandered a 20-point lead but held on.
Davis, who arrived at his postgame news conference in warmup gear after being doused with water by his celebrating players, emphasized the importance of the experience for his new-look team. 'I wanted this new team, this new group, to have evidence of what it's like to play in a game like this in the Smith Center, and to come up big,' Davis said. 'I just wanted them to have a taste of what it's like to be here.'
Trimble highlighted the win's impact on team confidence and Davis' vision for the roster. 'It validates [Davis'] thoughts and the vision that he had,' Trimble said. 'It takes some early stress off of him, getting a big win like that. And it gives not only him, but this whole team a bunch of confidence going into the rest of the season.'
Beyond the immediate triumph, the game featured a matchup of highly touted freshmen in Wilson and Peterson, both seen as likely NBA draft picks. Their performances added to the narrative of a potential rivalry renewal, with North Carolina's comeback underscoring the effectiveness of Davis' recruiting and transfer strategy after a disappointing end to the previous campaign.
As the Tar Heels look ahead, this early-season statement win could propel them through a challenging ACC schedule and toward a stronger NCAA tournament showing. Davis reflected on the locker room joy, saying, 'I won't remember the score, but I'll remember them jumping around in the locker room. I'll remember the smiles on their faces.' For Kansas, the loss serves as an early test, with Self's team set to regroup before facing upcoming opponents in what promises to be another competitive season for the perennial powerhouse.