# Breaking News: UNC Basketball Overcomes Challenges to Defeat Radford 89-74, Shares Celebratory Photos on Social Media
In a gritty performance at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, the No. 18 North Carolina Tar Heels men’s basketball team secured an 89-74 victory over the Radford Highlanders on November 11, 2025, improving their record to 3-0 in the young season. The win, while not the most aesthetically pleasing, demonstrated the team’s resilience amid injuries and shooting woes. Following the game, the official UNC Basketball social media account added several new photos capturing the action and player highlights, delighting fans and providing visual mementos of the triumph.<grok:render card_id=”bbdea0″ card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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</grok:render> This addition of fresh content underscores the program’s commitment to engaging its nearly one million followers on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), where posts quickly garnered thousands of likes and reposts.
The game came on the heels of a high-profile victory over Kansas, but the Tar Heels were without senior guard Seth Trimble, who suffered a broken left forearm during a workout and underwent surgery, sidelining him indefinitely.<grok:render card_id=”140f8d” card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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</grok:render> This forced adjustments in the lineup, with freshman Luka Bogavac earning his first college start. Bogavac rose to the occasion, leading the team with 19 points on 7-for-18 shooting, including 3-for-11 from beyond the arc. He also dished out five assists, tying for the team high, and showcased his ability to drive to the basket and create opportunities for teammates.<grok:render card_id=”7f7022″ card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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</grok:render> His performance was a bright spot in a contest marred by inefficiency, as UNC shot just 38.5% from the field and a dismal 25.8% (8-for-31) from three-point range.
Despite the slow start—UNC missed their first 10 three-point attempts and went 1-for-11 from deep in the first half—the Tar Heels built momentum late in the opening period.<grok:render card_id=”74e49f” card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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</grok:render> Trailing by one point when freshman Caleb Wilson picked up his third foul with 5:39 left in the half, Carolina responded with a decisive 21-9 run to close out the period, taking a 41-32 lead into halftime.<grok:render card_id=”aaf05c” card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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</grok:render> This surge was fueled by contributions from multiple players, highlighting the depth that has been a hallmark of UNC teams under head coach Hubert Davis.
Henri Veesaar, a sophomore forward, provided a steady presence, scoring 18 points while playing nearly the entire first half (off the court for just 42 seconds). Assistant coach Brad Frederick praised Veesaar in a halftime interview, calling him the one who “steadied the ship” during a choppy opening 20 minutes.<grok:render card_id=”007bf3″ card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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</grok:render> Veesaar drew four fouls and went 7-for-11 from the free-throw line, helping UNC capitalize on Radford’s aggressive defense. The game was whistle-heavy, with the Highlanders committing 33 fouls—leading to four players fouling out—and the teams combining for 80 free-throw attempts.<grok:render card_id=”6c2928″ card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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</grok:render> UNC, however, struggled at the charity stripe, converting only 63.3% (31-for-49), leaving 18 potential points on the table.
Caleb Wilson, despite foul trouble that limited his aggressiveness, notched his first career double-double with 13 points and 14 rebounds.<grok:render card_id=”2ad3b4″ card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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</grok:render> The highly touted freshman shot 4-for-13 from the field and missed his only three-point attempt, marking his least efficient outing yet. Still, his rebounding prowess—grabbing boards on both ends—proved invaluable, especially with the team missing Trimble’s energy. Wilson’s early fouls (two in the first few minutes) set a challenging tone, but he avoided further trouble after halftime, allowing him to contribute to the second-half push.
Jarin Stevenson added 15 points, 10 of which came from free throws, despite an injury scare in the first half when he rolled his ankle on a hard fall.<grok:render card_id=”62217d” card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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</grok:render> He returned to play 25 minutes, providing a spark with his versatility. Off the bench, Jonathan Powell chipped in eight points, including two three-pointers, while Kyan Evans orchestrated the offense with five assists and just one turnover, acting as the team’s “engine” by pushing the pace and maintaining composure.<grok:render card_id=”75230d” card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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</grok:render> Backup bigs like James Brown and Zayden High also saw extended minutes, with High securing six rebounds in nine minutes, addressing concerns about depth in the frontcourt.
For Radford, in their first season under 33-year-old head coach Zach Chu and picked fourth in the Big South Conference, the effort was commendable but ultimately outmatched.<grok:render card_id=”700c62″ card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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</grok:render> Dennis Parker Jr., a transfer who spent two seasons at UNC rival N.C. State, led all scorers with 23 points, while Del Jones added 22. The Highlanders shot 34.3% from the field and 23.3% (7-for-30) from three, struggling to keep pace once UNC found its rhythm. Radford challenged an out-of-bounds call in the first half but lost, forfeiting a timeout under new rules allowing reviews for such plays.<grok:render card_id=”0ff9d6″ card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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</grok:render> They ran out of timeouts early in the second half, limiting their ability to adjust.
The atmosphere at the Smith Center, with 16,613 in attendance, was somewhat subdued—perhaps a letdown after the electric Kansas game—but the crowd perked up during key runs and even enjoyed free cookies from a sponsor when Radford committed its 10th foul in a half.<grok:render card_id=”3779e6″ card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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</grok:render> The win, broadcast on the ACC Network, provided valuable lessons for UNC, particularly in managing without key players and avoiding complacency against lesser opponents.<grok:render card_id=”837a6b” card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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This victory marks the third straight for the Tar Heels, who started the season with wins over Elon and the aforementioned upset of No. 1 Kansas. As six-time NCAA champions, UNC carries high expectations into the 2025-26 campaign, blending experienced veterans with a talented freshman class. Bogavac, a Montenegrin native, represents the international flavor of the roster, while Wilson’s potential as a lottery pick in future NBA drafts adds intrigue. The team’s assist total—15 on 25 made baskets—reflects their unselfish play, even on an off-shooting night.<grok:render card_id=”0d6884″ card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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Post-game, UNC Basketball’s social media team wasted no time in sharing the joy. New photos included action shots of Bogavac’s scoring bursts, Wilson’s rebounding dominance, and team celebrations, alongside graphics highlighting the final score and top performers.<grok:render card_id=”834814″ card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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</grok:render> One particularly popular image showed the Heels up by 18 points midway through the second half, captioned “Shooters shoot.”<grok:render card_id=”19d87a” card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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</grok:render> Videos of top plays and highlights racked up views, with fans praising the all-around effort from Bogavac and the bench’s contributions.<grok:render card_id=”4fb85c” card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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</grok:render> Off-court glimpses, like Bogavac’s interactions, added a personal touch, fostering the #CarolinaFamily vibe that defines the program.<grok:render card_id=”ce167f” card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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Looking ahead, UNC hosts North Carolina Central on Friday, November 14, at 9 p.m. ET, as part of a five-game homestand.<grok:render card_id=”c9d187″ card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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</grok:render> This matchup offers another chance to build chemistry and refine execution before tougher ACC battles. With Trimble’s absence looming, the emergence of players like Bogavac and Evans will be crucial. Fans can grab tickets for upcoming games, as promoted in recent posts, to witness the action live.<grok:render card_id=”bfdfe9″ card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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While the Radford game wasn’t a masterpiece, it reinforced UNC’s potential as a contender. The added photos not only commemorate the win but also keep the momentum alive online, where the Tar Heels boast a massive following. As the season progresses, expect more highlights—and perhaps fewer missed free throws—from this promising squad.
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