If you’re still reeling from North Carolina’s disappointing ACC Tournament quarterfinal loss to Clemson, you’re not alone. The Tar Heels struggled mightily against the Tigers, and their late push fell just short. Two startling stats highlight the ups and downs of the Hubert Davis era. Caleb Wilson, out since the Miami game, is now done for the season after suffering a broken thumb. Aside from a few social media updates, he had largely stayed out of the spotlight following the news that his remarkable freshman year was over. After UNC’s loss to Clemson, Wilson briefly spoke to the media before the session was cut short. The 5-star freshman didn’t hold back, expressing the frustration of not being able to contribute to his team. “But, you know, it’s a journey,” he said. “I broke my hand and then I broke my other one. Kind of ironic. But having a support system…” At that point, ACC officials ended the interview since injured players aren’t required to speak to the media. Given how fiercely competitive Wilson is, it’s clear this situation weighs heavily on him. UNC managed to win five of six games without him earlier in the season, but their last two outings have been rough. First, the Tar Heels were dominated by Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium to close the regular season. Then, on Thursday against Clemson, the Tigers controlled the game from start to finish. Despite trailing by double digits for much of the second half, UNC mounted a comeback that ultimately came too late. Wilson watched both games from the bench, wishing he could be on the court helping his teammates.
Now, UNC must wait for Selection Sunday to learn its next matchup. After these recent performances, expectations for the Tar Heels in the NCAA Tournament are modest. It would be a different story if Wilson were healthy, but he’s not. It’s easy to understand why he feels “pretty bad,” as nothing has gone right for the team lately.
Leave a Reply