UNC basketball rolls past Georgetown, 81-61

Shelby Swanson, The News & Observer on Dec 7, 2025

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — When Jarin Stevenson recorded his first points Sunday evening midway through the second half, his reaction felt more like a sigh of relief than a celebration. He did add a bit of flair though — which, for a quiet kid like Stevenson, is saying something — as he brought his shooting hand to his mouth and gave it a kiss.

Georgetown head coach Ed Cooley called a timeout, giving his team a chance to sit and reflect after giving up three straight 3-pointers to the Tar Heels. No. 16 North Carolina rolled on to an 81-61 win over Georgetown after that 9-0 run put UNC up by 15.

Derek Dixon, who proved the hero at Rupp Arena last week, continued to impress with a career-high 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting from the floor for UNC (8-1). The front court duo of Caleb Wilson and Henri Veesaar recorded their fifth and sixth double-doubles, respectively, as the two combined for 38 points and 29 rebounds. This is the second game in a row that Wilson and Veesaar have both recorded double-doubles.

“From an offensive standpoint, we’re inside out,” UNC coach Hubert Davis said. “I’ve been clear [and] definitive, like, I want to dominate points in the paint. ... I’m really looking forward to the day where we’re dominating points in the paint and we’re hot from 3-point range.”

Veesaar’s 15 rebounds were both a career high and more validation of the offseason work he put in with assistant coach Sean May — particularly on the defensive end.

“Last year, I did a good job of boxing and not letting my guy get a rebound,” Veesaar said. “But, I feel like this year I’m going a good job of hitting and then releasing to get the ball, so just doing that helps a lot.”

Here’s what we learned from UNC’s win over Georgetown:

Evans and Dixon split time, both shine

North Carolina’s courtside fans were quick to protest when, in the second half of Sunday’s game, Georgetown’s Malik Mack appeared to trip Dixon. Their cries were rewarded as, upon review, Mack was assessed a flagrant foul.

Dixon gave the home crowd plenty to cheer for Sunday evening. Evans earned the start, but Dixon once again surpassed the Colorado State transfer in minutes played. He made the time count — surpassing his previous season-high nine points (against Kentucky) thanks, in large part, to three 3-pointers.

Evans has yet to find his rhythm from deep, but was aggressive from the jump with seven points and three assists in the first half. Davis even experimented with his rotation, playing Dixon and Evans beside each other at multiple points.

“I really like Kyan and Derek on the floor at the same time,” Davis said. “I’ve said always that I love multiple ball-handlers. You can’t take us out of our offense.”

The lineup could prove helpful — especially as Seth Trimble finishes his recovery — in allowing Dixon to man the point and freeing up Evans for catch-and-shoot opportunities off the ball.

Evans did, though, get into foul trouble once again, picking up four in this contest.

Decline in fast-break points for UNC

When Kentucky recorded 13 fast-break points to just six for UNC last Tuesday, it marked the first time this season North Carolina has failed to tie or lead its opponent in transition points.

Still, Davis was relatively satisfied, saying after the game, “I think, in large part, we kept them out of transition.”

But, once again on Sunday evening, the Tar Heels failed to push the pace. Georgetown recorded 10 points in transition in the opening half to zero for UNC.

Davis has long talked about wanting to be the fastest team in the country from free throw line to free throw line. This season, in particular, he’s emphasized pitching the ball ahead in transition and looking for opportunities to attack.

Entering the weekend, UNC ranked 155th nationally in adjusted tempo, per KenPom. Things didn’t improve against the Hoyas, as North Carolina recorded just two fast-break points — a season low.

Dixon said after the game that Georgetown’s zone defense slowed down the Tar Heels, but he was impressed with their ability to still make plays.

Tar Heels find rhythm from behind the arc

North Carolina entered Sunday ranking 250th in the nation in 3-point percentage, shooting the ball just above 31%.

Jonathan Powell and Luka Bogavac were the bright spots against Kentucky, combining for a 5 for 9 performance from deep against the Wildcats. But the Tar Heels finished that game 6 for 20 after starting out 4 for 17.

Combine that with the Michigan State and Kansas games, and you get an 18 for 70 performance (25.7%) from UNC against the three power programs.

Sunday’s game saw a slight uptick, though. North Carolina finished 9 of 28 from behind the arc (32.1%) with six different Tar Heels recording at least one 3-pointer.

____