RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina Tar Heels will face NC State without key player Henri Veesaar, who has been ruled out for Tuesday night’s game. The announcement came shortly before tipoff as part of the team’s availability report, following procedures outlined by the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Veesaar’s absence stems from ongoing recovery from an injury sustained during last week’s loss at Miami, along with flu-like symptoms that had kept him out of Saturday’s victory over Pittsburgh. A team spokesperson noted that while Veesaar is feeling better, the focus for Tuesday is solely on his lower-body injury.
After the game against Pittsburgh, Veesaar had participated in warmups but was ultimately unable to play, primarily due to his health concerns. Visible signs of his struggle included protective kinesiology tape on his left Achilles during the warmup session.
Despite the setback, UNC head coach Hubert Davis provided a hopeful update on Veesaar’s status during his weekly radio broadcast. “He made significant strides on Monday, particularly regarding his lower-extremity issue and recovery from the flu,” Davis said. “While he’s still day-to-day, there was a noticeable improvement, which is encouraging as we approach the game.”
Veesaar has been pivotal for the Tar Heels this season, ranking second on the team with an average of 16.4 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. With his availability in question for the critical matchup against rivals NC State, Carolina will also be managing the absence of freshman standout Caleb Wilson. Wilson is out indefinitely due to a fractured left hand, suffered in the first half of a previous contest. He leads the team with 19.8 points and 9.4 rebounds, setting records for scoring consistency among UNC freshmen.
In Wilson and Veesaar’s absence, teammates Jarin Stevenson and Zayden High stepped up significantly, particularly in the game against Pittsburgh where they combined for 34 points, showcasing UNC’s depth. High, in his first start, achieved career highs with 15 points and seven rebounds in 32 minutes of play.
As if those absences weren’t enough, the Tar Heels will also be without reserves James Brown and Ivan Matlekovic. Brown has been listed on injury reports since late December, while Matlekovic has been sidelined since mid-January.
Facing NC State in Raleigh represents a challenging environment for North Carolina, as they will be tasked with maintaining their momentum and competitiveness in the ACC with a significantly altered roster. The upcoming matchup will test the Tar Heels’ resilience as they attempt to navigate through injuries and secure a vital win in a highly charged rivalry.