The North Carolina Tar Heels are now 6-0 on the season after an 85-70 victory against St. Bonaventure on Tuesday night in the Fort Myers denunciation.
While the Bonnies played a close game in the first half, trailing by only two points at the break, the Tar Heels increased the pressure a bit in the second half. Hubert Davis’ team really got going in this second half, pulling away after taking a double-digit lead. They sealed it late thanks to the play of Henri Veeaar, Caleb Wilson, Luka Bogavac and Kyan Evans.
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This second-half stretch was impressive for the Tar Heels and should give them some confidence heading into Thursday’s game against Michigan State. But before we turn the page and focus on this game, here are some takeaways from UNC’s victory.
Turnovers were a problem
November 25, 2025; Fort Myers, Florida, United States; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Luka Bogavac (44) collides with St. St. Bonaventure Bonnies guard Amar’E Marshall (2) and center Andrew Osasuyi (33) in the first half at Suncoast Credit Union Arena. Mandatory credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Although North Carolina avoided the upset and won the game, one problem plagued them. The Tar Heels had 13 total turnovers in the game, which was one of the main reasons St. Bonaventure was able to stay in the game.
The good news is that 11 of them came in the first half, so they only committed two in the second half. They were able to reduce that number.
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Still, committing turnovers like that will get you beat against better teams. This is something to pay attention to moving forward this season.
The Tar Heels’ length is noticeable
November 25, 2025; Fort Myers, Florida, United States; North Carolina Tar Heels center Henri Veesaar (13) is guarded by St. Bonaventure Bonnies guard Dasonte Bowen (5) in the first half at Suncoast Credit Union Arena. Mandatory credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
This is one of the longest teams we’ve had in a while in Chapel Hill. North Carolina’s roster features three players at least 6-foot-10 in Caleb Wilson, Henri Veesaar and Jarin Stevenson. At one point, they also had an entire roster that was at least 6-foot-5 in the game.
The length gave the Bonnies some problems in the passing lanes and in the front court. This is something UNC can use to its advantage as the season progresses.
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Tar heels of the second half
November 25, 2025; Fort Myers, Florida, United States; St. Bonaventure Bonnies guard Dasonte Bowen (5) moves the ball past North Carolina Tar Heels forward Caleb Wilson (8) in the second half at Suncoast Credit Union Arena. Mandatory credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
This is the second time this season where the game was close at halftime or UNC trailed and they used a big second half to put it away. They trailed against Kansas in the second game of the year before rallying to win the game. And on Tuesday, they led St. Bonaventure by just two.
In the second half, UNC outscored St. Bonaventure 50-37. They did it with good shooting, good defense and good rebounding. They played with more energy than in this second half and it showed.
You don’t want to fall behind in a lot of games and have to rely on the second half. But it feels like this team has the ability to flip a switch.
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Kyan Evans’ three-point shot really helped
November 25, 2025; Fort Myers, Florida, United States; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Kyan Evans (0) reacts after a basket against the St. Bonaventure Bonnies in the first half at Suncoast Credit Union Arena. Mandatory credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
We’ve talked about it in game previews this season, but UNC really needs someone to step up and be a good perimeter shooter. Against St. Bonaventure, it was Kyan Evans.
He finished the game with 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting, but was 3-of-4 from the three-point line, which was a huge boost for the Tar Heels. If Evans can shoot like that from the three-point line, that gives UNC a legitimate shooter there.
Henri Veesaar is the real deal
November 25, 2025; Fort Myers, Florida, United States; North Carolina Tar Heels center Henri Veesaar (13) reacts after a basket against the St. Bonaventure Bonnies in the first half at Suncoast Credit Union Arena. Mandatory credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Have a good night Henri Veesaar. The big man set a career high with 24 points and 13 rebounds. This was a huge game for the Arizona transfer, as he was arguably the biggest reason North Carolina won. Saint Bonaventure had no answer for Veesaar in the paint.
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It should be fun to watch Veesaar as the schedule gets tougher and ACC play begins.
This article was originally published on Tar Heels Wire: UNC Basketball: Takeaways from Tar Heels’ win over St. Bonaventure
