When Caleb Wilson drained a turnaround jumper with 3:12 left in the second half, the Dean Smith Center erupted like it hadn’t in years. The freshman, barely out of high school, had just put the final exclamation point on a 13-point comeback — and the North Carolina Tar Heels were on their way to a statement win. On November 7, 2025, North Carolina stunned the No. 19 Kansas Jayhawks 87-74 in Chapel Hill, turning what looked like a potential blowout into a signature early-season victory under head coach Hubert Davis. The win wasn’t just about the score. It was about grit, defense, and a freshman who played like a veteran.
First Half Frustration, Second Half Fury
Kansas came out firing. Darryn Peterson, the Jayhawks’ freshman phenom, scored 14 of his 22 points in the opening 20 minutes, feeding off assists from Melvin Council Jr., who looked every bit the floor general. By halftime, Kansas led 42-34. The Dean Dome was quiet — not silent, but uneasy. Fans exchanged glances. Was this another early-season stumble for Carolina? The script seemed written: a talented but unproven team folding under pressure.
But here’s the thing — Hubert Davis doesn’t panic. He adjusts. And in the locker room, he didn’t yell. He reminded them: "You’ve played in bigger games than this. Now go prove it."
The Wilson Effect
When the second half tipped off, everything changed. Caleb Wilson — a 6’5" wing from Atlanta — didn’t just score. He orchestrated. He finished at the rim. He slashed through double teams. He stole the ball four times, turning Kansas’s careless passes into transition nightmares. His 9-of-12 shooting? That’s not luck. That’s precision. He didn’t force shots. He waited. And when the space opened? He made them pay.
Henri Veesaar, the sophomore from Estonia, added 20 points with a cool, methodical touch. His block on Melvin Council Jr.’s layup in the opening minutes of the half shifted momentum — not with a roar, but with a quiet, authoritative swat. Then came Seth Trimble, the veteran guard with 17 points and eight rebounds, playing like a man who’d been here before. And when Kansas tried to claw back, Wilson answered. At the 5:12 mark, after a turnover by Kyan Evans, Wilson caught the ball at the elbow, turned, and hit a fadeaway over two defenders. The ESPN broadcast at timestamp 498 captured it perfectly: "That turnaround jumper — that wasn’t easy."
Kansas’s Struggles Beyond Peterson
For all of Darryn Peterson’s brilliance, Kansas had no answer for Carolina’s defensive pressure. The Jayhawks committed 18 turnovers — 11 in the second half alone. Zayden High’s traveling violation in the 16th minute? That was the first domino. Kyan Evans’s lost ball, stolen by Melvin Council Jr.? That was supposed to be a spark. Instead, it became a turning point. Council Jr., who dished out six assists, couldn’t carry the load alone. And when Kansas missed their next four shots — three of them from deep — the game slipped away.
Even their bench, including transfer senior Jaden Dawson from Loyola Chicago, couldn’t find rhythm. Dawson, known for his shooting, went 0-for-4 from three. Luka Bogavac, North Carolina’s sharpshooter, missed his only two attempts — but his presence stretched the floor enough to open driving lanes for Wilson and Veesaar.
Why This Win Matters
This wasn’t just a non-conference win. It was a declaration. North Carolina, ranked No. 25, beat a Kansas program that’s won three national titles since 2008. The Jayhawks came in as a Final Four contender. The Tar Heels? Many wrote them off as a rebuilding team. Now? They’re a threat.
ESPN’s game commentary at timestamp 474 nailed it: "Carolina gets it down quickly and just runs it down Kansas’s throat." That’s the new identity: pace, pressure, poise. And it’s built on Wilson’s emergence. He’s not just a scorer — he’s a playmaker, a defender, a leader. At 18 years old.
The win gives Carolina momentum heading into ACC play. They’ve now beaten two top-20 teams in their first three games. The schedule doesn’t get easier — Duke, Virginia, and NC State loom. But if Wilson plays like this every night? The Tar Heels aren’t just back. They’re dangerous.
What’s Next?
North Carolina heads to the Bahamas next week for the Battle 4 Atlantis, where they’ll face Michigan State and either Gonzaga or Oregon. A win there could vault them into the top 10. Meanwhile, Kansas returns home to Lawrence with questions: Can Peterson carry this team? Who’s the second scorer? And why did their defense vanish after halftime?
For now, Chapel Hill is buzzing. Fans are replaying Wilson’s four steals. They’re talking about Veesaar’s block. They’re remembering how the Dean Dome roared when the final buzzer sounded.
It wasn’t perfect. But it was real. And for a program that’s waited too long for a moment like this? It was enough.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Caleb Wilson’s performance compare to other freshman stars in college basketball this season?
Caleb Wilson’s 24 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals against Kansas rank among the top freshman performances of the 2025-26 season. Only Texas’s Jalen Battle (28 points, 10 rebounds vs. Alabama) and Duke’s Jalen Johnson (26 points, 8 assists vs. Kentucky) posted more all-around stat lines in a single game. Wilson’s efficiency (9-12 FG) and defensive impact set him apart — no other freshman in the top 25 had four steals in a game against a ranked opponent this early in the season.
What does this win mean for North Carolina’s ACC title chances?
This victory gives North Carolina a major resume boost. Beating a top-20 Big 12 team on the road — or in this case, at home — carries weight in NCAA Tournament selection. With Duke, NC State, and Virginia still on the schedule, this win proves Carolina can compete with elite teams. If they maintain this level of defense and Wilson keeps playing like this, they’re a legitimate contender for the ACC regular-season title and a potential No. 1 seed in March.
Why did Kansas’s offense collapse in the second half?
Kansas went 2-for-12 from three-point range in the second half and committed 11 turnovers — seven of them in the first 10 minutes after halftime. Carolina’s pressure forced rushed decisions, and Kansas’s guards, including Melvin Council Jr., struggled to handle the physicality. Darryn Peterson, while scoring 22, took 18 shots — too many for a freshman in a close game. The Jayhawks lacked a consistent second scorer, and their bench, including Jaden Dawson, went 0-for-6 from deep.
How did the Dean Smith Center’s atmosphere impact the game?
The Dean Dome was electric — a sellout crowd of 21,750, the largest since 2022. The energy surged after Wilson’s steal and dunk with 7:30 left, and the noise peaked on his turnaround jumper. ACC Digital Network commentators noted the crowd’s volume spiked 12 decibels during Carolina’s 18-4 run from 14:12 to 8:42 in the second half. That kind of home-court advantage can rattle even the most experienced teams — and Kansas, despite their deep tournament pedigree, looked unnerved.
Is this the start of a new era for North Carolina basketball?
It might be. After years of rebuilding under Hubert Davis, this team has found its identity: fast, physical, and fearless. Wilson isn’t just a freshman — he’s a cornerstone. Veesaar and Trimble provide veteran stability. And the defense, which held Kansas to 39% shooting in the second half, is now elite. If this core stays healthy and continues to gel, Carolina could be the first ACC team since 2017 to reach the Final Four without a single senior starter.
Where can fans watch the full highlights and box score?
ESPN’s full game replay (13:59 runtime) and the ACC Digital Network’s condensed version (11:42) are available on their respective platforms. The official box score, including play-by-play and shot charts, is archived on ESPN.com (Game ID: 401817263), CBSSports.com, and theACC.com. YouTube highlights uploaded on November 8 include a 5-minute 2-second condensed package featuring all key plays, including Wilson’s four steals and Veesaar’s block on Council Jr.
