
Tue Feb 24 00:20:00 UTC 2026: ### UNC Edges Louisville in Tightly Contested Matchup
The Story:
The No. 19 North Carolina Tar Heels defeated the No. 20 Louisville Cardinals 81-79 in a closely fought game at the Dean E. Smith Center. The game was a crucial Quad 1A opportunity for Louisville, who were previously 0-4 in such road games. North Carolina, playing without injured star freshman Caleb Wilson, relied on Henri Veesaar to contribute 19 points. The Cardinals entered the game seeking a marquee road win to bolster their NCAA Tournament resume.
Key Points:
- Louisville lost to North Carolina 81-79.
- North Carolina was without freshman star Caleb Wilson due to a hand injury.
- Henri Veesaar of North Carolina scored 19 points in the victory.
- Louisville entered the game 0-4 in Quad 1A road games.
- The game was broadcast on ESPN.
Key Takeaways:
- Louisville’s struggles in Quad 1A road games continue to be a significant weakness.
- North Carolina demonstrated resilience in winning without a key player.
- The outcome significantly impacts both teams’ NCAA Tournament aspirations.
- Close games against ranked opponents highlight the competitive nature of ACC basketball.