UNC Basketball Stumbles at NC State Without Key Players
RALEIGH — The North Carolina Tar Heels (20-6, 8-5 ACC) suffered a decisive 82-58 loss against the N.C. State Wolfpack on Tuesday, Feb. 17, at Lenovo Center. Playing without starters Caleb Wilson and Henri Veesaar, UNC struggled offensively, shooting just 31% from the field and missing 25 of 30 three-point attempts.
Wolfpack Dominate in Frontcourt
N.C. State (19-8, 10-4) controlled the paint, scoring 38 points inside and capitalizing on UNC’s 12 turnovers to generate 16 points. Quadir Copeland led the Wolfpack with 20 points, 6 assists, and 6 rebounds, while Matt Able added 19 points and 6 rebounds.
UNC Relies on High and Stevenson
Zayden High and Jarin Stevenson were the only Tar Heels to score in double figures, contributing 13 points and 10 rebounds and 13 points and 9 rebounds, respectively. Despite their efforts, UNC couldn’t overcome N.C. State’s strong performance.
First-Half Struggles Set the Tone
UNC’s first half was particularly disastrous, trailing 42-26. The Tar Heels shot poorly, making just 8 of 32 shots, and committed 5 turnovers. N.C. State, in contrast, shot 67% from the field and made four of its first six three-point attempts.
Injury Updates: Wilson and Veesaar Out
Freshman Caleb Wilson remains out indefinitely with a fractured left hand, sustained on February 10, 2026, during a loss to Miami. Henri Veesaar was also sidelined for the game against N.C. State, listed as questionable with a lower extremity injury.
Game Details and Broadcast Information
The game took place on Tuesday, Feb. 17, at 7 p.m. ET at Lenovo Center in Raleigh. It was broadcast on ESPN and streamed on Fubo.
Looking Ahead: UNC Basketball Schedule
UNC’s schedule continues with games against Syracuse on February 21, Louisville on February 23, and Virginia Tech on February 28. The team will then face Clemson on March 3 and Duke on March 7.
FAQ
Q: What is Caleb Wilson’s injury status?
A: Caleb Wilson is out indefinitely with a fractured left hand.
Q: Was Henri Veesaar playing in the game against NC State?
A: No, Henri Veesaar was out for the game against NC State due to a lower extremity injury.
Q: What was the final score of the UNC vs. NC State game?
A: The final score was NC State 82, UNC 58.
Q: Where can I watch UNC basketball games?
A: Games are broadcast on ESPN and can be streamed on Fubo.
