Five reactions to UNC basketball's loss to Clemson on Monday

USA Today

11-02-2025

Five reactions to UNC basketball's loss to Clemson on Monday
Saturday's close victory over Pitt gave me hope the North Carolina Tar Heels saved their basketball season, even if for just one game.
The Panthers entered Saturday with two consecutive losses, but so did UNC. Beating Pitt wasn't the year-altering win North Carolina so desperately needs, but enough to prove it can beat solid teams.
Monday's 85-65 setback at Clemson proved to me everyone's concerns about the Tar Heels all year long: the season is a lost cause.
UNC (14-11, 7-6 ACC) actually traded blows with the host Tigers early, showcasing an ability to convert in transition while generating a few defensive stops. Clemson center Viktor Lakhin then took over: draining his first three perimeter attempts, terrorizing North Carolina with his 6'11" frame and finishing the night with 22 points.
The Tar Heels didn't play a bad game offensively: RJ Davis (18 points), Seth Trimble (12) and Elliot Cadeau (11) all scored in double-figures, while UNC shot 45.2 percent as a team. North Carolina lost this game on 3-pointers, though, shooting a paltry 21.1%, compared to a scorching 38% for the Tigers.
Chase Hunter (19 points) and Jaeden Zackery (16) also scored in double-figures for Clemson, which is the only competitor to Duke in the ACC.
The Tar Heels won't make the NCAA Tournament, but they can at least try to. Maybe UNC looks to its rival, NC State, for inspiration to win the ACC Tournament.
Let's take a deeper dive into why North Carolina got obliterated tonight. We might also give you a couple over-the-top reactions, but you'll just have to keep reading below.
This Tar Heels squad is more disappointing than the 2019-2020 squad
UNC couldn't win a game to save its life during the 2019-2020 COVID-shortened season. We're sad March Madness couldn't continue, but it wouldn't have mattered for the Tar Heels.
North Carolina's 2024-2025 squad is more talented than that 2019-2029 squad, but significantly underperforming. UNC is young this year, with RJ Davis the only experienced starter, but the Tar Heels' young talent should be enough to offset their inexperienced.
North Carolina has no height, which hurt itself against Clemson' Viktor Lakhin and Ian Schieffelin. UNC was ranked to start the year, similar to the 2022-2023 campaign, but now unranked and amongst college basketball's greatest disappointments.
The Tar Heels had no answer for Viktor Lakhin
North Carolina tried rotating Ven-Allen Lubin and Jalen Washington at center again Monday night, like it had all season, but that wasn't nearly enough to stop Clemson center Viktor Lakhin.
The 6'11" Lakhin led all scorers with 22 points, which included a game-high four 3-pointers. Lakhin grabbed six rebounds, stole one pass and blocked a game-high four shots.
Not that it mattered...but UNC's free throws were a major issue
The Tar Heels made just 5-of-11 free throw attempts, which translates to 45.5 percent. Clemson made 9-of-12 attempts, but it's concerning seeing UNC struggle in an area of supposed strenght.
I didn't see North Carolina driving the rim as aggressively, which could be attributed to facing Lakhin and Schieffelin, but the lack of success from the charity stripe is concerning.
The Tar Heels need to start looking ahead towards next season
UNC will obviously focus on trying to salvage the end of its season, but there's virtually no shot of making the NCAA Tournament, barring a miracle run.
North Carolina's fairytale era is over. There's no more Armando Bacot, while RJ Davis is struggling by his standards. Hubert Davis has to be on the hot seat: missing the Big Dance two times in three seasons is unacceptably, particularly if you coaching a historic team like the Tar Heels.
UNC has 5-star Caleb Wilson headlining its 2025 recruiting class, part of a roster expected to look entirely different. North Carolina will HAVE to win the transfer portal for any shot at success, while hoping the likes of James Brown and Cade Tyson return.
Clemson can make a big run come March Madness
The Clemson Tigers have everything you want in a March Madness hopeful: experience, 3-point shooters and big men who can stretch the floor.
After watching Monday's game, I didn't see a single weakness on the Clemson roster. Chase Hunter and Jaeden Zackery can make you pay by sinking shots from anywhere, while Lakhin and Schieffelin will make you pay on the boards.
The Tigers also beat Duke, a National Championship contender, at home over the weekend. Clemson beat an underperforming Tar Heels team on Monday, but it's still an impressive wine nonetheless.