Short-handed UNC Prevails 79-65 Over Pitt as Role Players Rise
On Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026 (ET), a depleted North Carolina squad found a way to win at the Dean Smith Center, rallying past Pitt 79-65 despite missing its two leading scorers. The Tar Heels leaned on veteran depth and unexpected contributors to reach 20 wins and keep pace in the ACC.
Injury cloud forces quick reworking of plans
Caleb Wilson (broken left hand) and Henri Veesaar (illness and a lower-body issue) were both unavailable for the game, forcing coach Hubert Davis to reconfigure a rotation that has been tested repeatedly this season. Davis prepared multiple game plans and called for an early shootaround to make sure everyone understood their roles before tipoff.
That last-minute tinkering produced UNC's sixth different starting lineup of the year. With the Tar Heels down two of their primary inside threats, minutes shifted dramatically: Jarin Stevenson moved into Veesaar’s spot in the frontcourt, and Zayden High was inserted into the starting five to fill Wilson’s perimeter role.
The roster shuffle also tightened the bench rotation. Four starters logged at least 32 minutes, while only three reserves saw the floor. Carolina’s bench managed just eight points, a sign Davis was content to ride hot hands and heavy minutes from his starters to secure the victory.
Zayden High seizes first start; Stevenson's grit stands out
A surprise hero emerged in the form of High, who had previously split time between nonappearance and short spurts in ACC games. Thrust into his first collegiate start, High responded with a career night: 15 points and seven rebounds in 32 minutes. A breakout was especially notable for zayden high, who had to find conditioning and rhythm quickly but never looked out of place as the game progressed.
Jarin Stevenson matched the game’s intensity, pouring in a season-high 19 points while battling through an elbow contusion he downplayed afterward. Seth Trimble joined the double-digit scoring with a 19-point outing of his own, and overall balance keyed UNC’s offense. The team shot efficiently in the first half, converting on better than 50 percent of attempts to build a 46-32 halftime cushion.
On the other end, UNC’s defense pressured Pitt into turnovers and limited easy transition opportunities. Despite Pitt getting a career-tying 23 points from Cameron Corhen, the Panthers could not overcome North Carolina’s early offensive surge and defensive discipline in the paint and on the perimeter.
What the win means and the road ahead
The victory pushed North Carolina to 20-5 overall and 8-4 in conference play, a mark that keeps the program on track even as injuries mount. The Tar Heels demonstrated they can absorb setbacks to key personnel and still execute a game plan, leaning on a next-man-up mentality that Davis has emphasized all season.
That said, the heavy minutes logged by starters and the thin bench output are areas of concern if injuries linger. Depth will be tested in the coming weeks, and the team’s ability to keep players fresh without sacrificing defensive intensity or offensive cohesion will be pivotal.
For now, UNC can claim a hard-earned home victory. The team will hope Wilson and Veesaar return this season, but Saturday’s result offered tangible proof that this roster is capable of adapting when called upon.
