Short-Handed UNC Overcomes Loss of Top Two Scorers in Win Over Pitt

Zayden High steps up with career performance as Tar Heels beat Panthers 79-65 without Caleb Wilson and Henri Veesaar.

Feb. 15, 2026 at 3:47am

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The North Carolina Tar Heels overcame the absence of their top two scorers, Caleb Wilson and Henri Veesaar, to defeat the Pittsburgh Panthers 79-65 in a college basketball game. Freshman Zayden High delivered a career-best performance, scoring 15 points and grabbing 7 rebounds in his first career start, as UNC found a way to win despite missing 36.2 points and 18.4 rebounds per game from Wilson and Veesaar.

Why it matters

This game showcases the depth and resilience of the North Carolina basketball program, as they were able to overcome the loss of their top two scorers and still secure a convincing victory over a conference opponent. It also highlights the next-man-up mentality of the team, with Zayden High stepping up in a big way to fill the void left by the injured starters.

The details

UNC coach Hubert Davis revealed that the team had prepared two different game plans leading up to the matchup, knowing that freshman leading scorer Caleb Wilson would be out with a hand injury. What they didn't know until just before tip-off was that second-leading scorer Henri Veesaar would also be unavailable due to illness and a lower-body injury. Despite missing their combined 36.2 points and 18.4 rebounds per game, Wilson and Veesaar remained engaged, providing vocal leadership and support from the bench. With their frontcourt depleted, Zayden High made the most of his first career start, scoring a career-high 15 points and grabbing 7 rebounds in 32 minutes of action.

  • On Wednesday, the program announced that Caleb Wilson would be out indefinitely with a hand injury.
  • On Saturday morning, it became clear that Henri Veesaar would likely not play due to illness and a lower-body injury, and the decision was finalized just before tip-off.

The players

Caleb Wilson

A freshman who was the team's leading scorer, averaging 19.2 points per game, before suffering a hand injury that sidelined him for this game.

Henri Veesaar

The team's second-leading scorer, averaging 17.0 points per game, who was ruled out just before tip-off due to illness and a lower-body injury.

Zayden High

A player who earned his first career start for UNC and delivered a career-best performance, scoring 15 points and grabbing 7 rebounds in 32 minutes of action.

Hubert Davis

The head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels, who emphasized the importance of competitive fight and energy over specific game plans and adjustments.

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What they’re saying

“Even during practice, he can't sit down. He's dribbling with his right hand, he's shooting hooks with his right hand, he's on the bike.”

— Hubert Davis, Head Coach

“In the huddles, he was vocal, (and) in the locker room. Him and Henri, I thought, played a huge part in giving the confidence to their teammates that we could get this thing done today.”

— Hubert Davis, Head Coach

“(They told me) Just bring energy from the jump. Pitt is always known for trying to punk us, so bringing energy from the jump and meeting them halfway.”

— Zayden High, Player

What’s next

The Tar Heels will look to continue their momentum when they face off against another ACC opponent, the Virginia Cavaliers, on Wednesday, February 19th.

The takeaway

This game showcases the depth and resilience of the North Carolina basketball program, as they were able to overcome the loss of their top two scorers and still secure a convincing victory over a conference opponent. It highlights the next-man-up mentality of the team and the importance of competitive fight and energy, even when facing adversity.