Can Caleb Wilson back up his bold claim?
The North Carolina Tar Heels reloaded their basketball roster this offseason, with hopes they can take that next step towards a seventh NCAA Championship.
UNC upgraded their post, adding height in the form of Arizona transfer Henri Veesaar, Chapel Hill native Jarin Stevenson, 5-star freshman power forward Caleb Wilson and 7-footer Ivan Matlekovic. North Carolina landed a starting point guard in Kyan Evans, starting wing in Luka Bogavac, plus improved its overall depth.
One of those newest roster additions all but guaranteed the Tar Heels would be a better team this coming season. Before the UNC-TCU football game on Monday night, Wilson said his teammates would “put belt on everybody.”
“I’m gonna tell you how I’m feeling right now. I don’t like Duke, I don’t like NC State, I don’t like Wake Forest. This year, we’re putting belt on everybody. I’m talking about real belt, sparkle bedazzle. You already know what time it is. Stay up, Tar Heels winning.”
Normally, I’m against statements like Wilson’s, but his bold claim isn’t unrealistic. North Carolina’s roster has plenty of newcomers scattered across it, but those newcomers bring more experience – and talent – to Chapel Hill.
In addition to the players I previously mentioned, the Tar Heels also added Jonathan Powell (West Virginia) and Jaydon Young (Virginia Tech) in the portal. Big man Zayden High returns after a season away from the team, while Derek Dixon and Isaiah Denis complete UNC’s 2025 recruiting class.
North Carolina will face AJ Dybantsa and the BYU Cougars on Friday, October 24 to open its 2-game preseason slate, then begin regular season play Monday, November 3 against Central Arkansas. Wilson will have plenty of chances to back up his bold claim during non-conference play, with the Tar Heels scheduled to face Kansas (Nov. 7), Michigan State (Thanksgiving Day), Kentucky (December 2), Georgetown (Dec. 7) and Ohio State (Dec. 20).
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