Tar Heels Defeat Panthers Without Star Players

UNC head coach Hubert Davis discusses team's response to injuries ahead of big win

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The North Carolina Tar Heels defeated the Pittsburgh Panthers 79-65 on Saturday, despite missing star players Caleb Wilson and Henri Veesaar. Head coach Hubert Davis praised his team's competitive fight and energy in the face of adversity, as several players stepped up to fill expanded roles.

Why it matters

The Tar Heels' ability to win without two of their best players demonstrates the team's depth and resilience, which will be crucial as they navigate the rest of the season and aim for postseason success. Davis' leadership in rallying the team during a challenging time also highlights his coaching acumen.

The details

Wilson suffered a fractured hand earlier in the week, while Veesaar was ruled out just before tip-off. Despite the absences, the Tar Heels were able to pull out a convincing victory, with Davis praising the team's energy, effort, and enthusiasm throughout the game. The coach noted that the team had to adjust its game plan and rotations to account for the missing players, and the players responded by stepping up and competing at a high level.

  • On Tuesday night, Caleb Wilson suffered a fractured hand.
  • Moments before tip-off on Saturday, Henri Veesaar was ruled out.

The players

Hubert Davis

The 55-year-old head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels, who has led the team since 2021.

Caleb Wilson

A star player for the North Carolina Tar Heels who suffered a fractured hand earlier in the week, forcing him to miss the game against Pittsburgh.

Henri Veesaar

Another key player for the North Carolina Tar Heels who was ruled out just before tip-off on Saturday.

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What they’re saying

“I mean, he was obviously devastated. That's how we felt, and obviously, he loves to play, but he loves being a part of a team. And I think he found out, even though he's not playing, he's still part of the team. I mean, even during practice, he can't even sit down. He's dribbling with his right hand. He's shooting hooks with his right hand. He's on the bike and in the huddles. He was vocal in the locker room. Him and Henri, I thought they played a huge part in giving confidence to their teammates that we could get this thing done.”

— Hubert Davis, Head Coach (si.com)

“You had two teammates out, and for them to react and respond this way, after maybe in the first half and a little bit of the second half, there was a stretch where we settled for jump shots as opposed to putting the ball on the floor. But the energy, effort, enthusiasm like that was there the entire game, and that's something that we've struggled with throughout the years.”

— Hubert Davis, Head Coach (si.com)

“We were talking about technical stuff, in regard to these plays offensively, from a defensive standpoint, this is what you want to do. But I said none of that matters without the competitive fight. I said, 'You guys just have to fight. You've got to compete.' And I said that's the most important thing when you go home. Yeah, everybody wants to win, but it's not the end result. It's did you give everything that you had? Did you give everything that you had in your preparation, in your practice? Did you play as hard as you could? And that's what gives you peace coming back in the locker room and the guys seem to kind of resonate with that.”

— Hubert Davis, Head Coach (si.com)

The takeaway

The Tar Heels' ability to rally together and secure a convincing victory without two of their star players demonstrates the team's depth, resilience, and commitment to competing at a high level. Head coach Hubert Davis' leadership in focusing the team on effort and energy over technical execution proved crucial, and the team's performance suggests they have the potential for continued success this season.