The UNC men’s basketball team suffered their initial home defeat of the season, falling 80-76 to the Clemson Tigers. Despite Clemson’s relentless performance, UNC struggled to seize the lead throughout the game, marking the first time since the 2022 home loss to Duke that they failed to do so.
UNC attempted to make a comeback but couldn’t overcome Clemson’s defensive tactics, resulting in their second-lowest shooting percentage of the season at 36.9%. The absence of Seth Trimble, a key contributor off the bench known for his defensive skills and strong finishing, further compounded UNC’s challenges.
Despite a lack of energy, the Tar Heels managed to keep the margin to just four points in what could be considered their worst game of the season. Armando Bacot continued his impressive performance with 24 points and 13 rebounds, while Paxson Wojcik stepped up in Trimble’s absence, securing the second-highest rebounds (6) on the team.
While UNC seemed to lose momentum, the narrow defeat suggests the team’s underlying strength. The upcoming game against the Miami Hurricanes might serve as a catalyst to reignite their energy, reminiscent of their response after the Georgia Tech loss. Expect a rebound performance from UNC on Saturday.
