No. 16 North Carolina to play NC State without top scorers

Veesaar and Wilson will miss the rivalry game due to injuries

Feb. 20, 2026 at 12:15am

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No. 16 North Carolina will be without its top two scorers and rebounders, 7-footer Henri Veesaar and star freshman Caleb Wilson, for Tuesday's rivalry game against NC State. Veesaar is out with a lower-body injury, while Wilson is sidelined indefinitely with a hand fracture. The Tar Heels have only played without their top two scorers three times in ACC history, with the last instance coming in 1978.

Why it matters

North Carolina and NC State have one of the fiercest rivalries in college basketball, and the absence of the Tar Heels' top players will significantly impact the dynamics of the matchup. This is a rare occurrence for the storied UNC program, which typically relies on its star players to compete at the highest level.

The details

Veesaar, a 7-foot junior, is averaging 16.4 points and 9.0 rebounds per game this season. Wilson, a highly touted freshman, is putting up 19.8 points and 9.4 rebounds per contest. Both players missed UNC's previous game against Pittsburgh, and their continued absence will force the Tar Heels to rely on other players to step up and fill the void.

  • Veesaar will miss his second straight game on Tuesday.
  • Wilson has been out indefinitely since suffering a hand fracture last week.

The players

Henri Veesaar

A 7-foot junior center for North Carolina, averaging 16.4 points and 9.0 rebounds per game this season.

Caleb Wilson

A highly touted freshman forward for North Carolina, averaging 19.8 points and 9.4 rebounds per game before suffering a hand fracture.

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What’s next

The Tar Heels will need to rely on their depth and other players to step up in the absence of Veesaar and Wilson when they face rival NC State on Tuesday.

The takeaway

North Carolina's inability to field its top two scorers and rebounders against NC State highlights the challenges the team faces in maintaining its competitiveness in the ACC without its star players. This rare occurrence underscores the importance of depth and player development for the Tar Heels as they navigate the remainder of the season.