UNC-WSSU Postgame Quotes

POSTGAME QUOTES
UNC 95, WINSTON-SALEM STATE 53
OCTOBER 29, 2025
DEAN E. SMITH CENTER, CHAPEL HILL, N.C.

UNC Head Coach Hubert Davis
On what went wrong in the first half…
"I don't know if we were nervous or it's the first time this group has been at home and played on our own floor. But just the lack of energy, effort, attention to detail wasn't there in the first half, and that was the exact opposite in the second half. And I think that's why we played so well in the second half — the energy picked up, effort, specifically on the defensive end, finishing. I thought we were more disciplined defensively in the second half — we finished possessions with a rebound — and that allowed us to get out in transition."

On Jarin Stevenson's dimension and value as a player…
"His ability with his size, he really can guard one through five, so it gives us the versatility on the defensive end to be able to do different things… He does a really nice job getting around screens, and he can move his feet. He's disciplined defensively, and he can also rebound the basketball. I was really happy to see him being able to hit some shots in the second half. I've gotta get him more shots, because he's just so talented on the offensive end as well, and so just being intentional to make sure that he's getting enough looks on the offensive end."

On Henri Veesaar and Caleb Wilson's chemistry…
"To be early in the season, they really have a chemistry where it feels like they have played together a couple of years — they just feed off each other. When I separate them in practice, they look like they're about to cry because they want to be on the same team again… One of the things that I think is really beneficial to Caleb is to have that chemistry with an experienced player who talks to them on the court, shows them how to prepare, shows them how hard you have to practice just to put yourself in a position to be successful. It's so beneficial to have older players show the way to younger players — doesn't matter how talented you are."

Jarin Stevenson
On the team's fast break energy…
"That's Carolina basketball, getting out in transition…. easy buckets."

On his defensive versatility…
"I guard a lot of high-level players in practice and stuff too, so I feel like that helps. Seth is very quick. So yeah, guarding shorter, quicker guys, I feel like he's helped me with that. Even in high school, I played a lot of quick guards too. I'd be switching on one through four, so I feel like I was used to it."

Kyan Evans
On the first half struggles…
"We were just kind of lackadaisical and had low energy, but we picked it up in the second half – first game at home in front of the home crowd is a little different for us. But, um, I think we'll be good. We'll fix it for sure."

On getting more comfortable with a new team…
"Yeah, for sure. I think every game I'll get more and more comfortable every quarter. So it's just every time we get out there as a new opportunity to gain some confidence."

On coming back out for the second half…
"You know, there's a lot of guys that just wanted to come out and be better in the second half, and a lot of motivated people to just be ready to do what we did in the second half."

Caleb Wilson
On playing down to the competition in the first half…
"Your opponent shouldn't determine your play. I feel like we didn't come out aggressive enough."

On his personal goals for the season…
"20 and 10 is my goal every game. As long as I get that, I feel like I did something."

On the halftime rally…
"At halftime, [Coach Davis] said we've got to pick it up, got to be some dogs, and we implemented that."

On his first-half dunk…
"You know, I just usually, when I'm about to dunk on somebody, I look them in their face. If they make the decision to jump, that's on them."

On his mindset…
"I've got a lot of confidence. I work really hard, so confidence is going to come with it. I feel like I'm one of the best players in the country, so I'm not going to shy away from the light."

On geling with his new teammate Henri Veesaar…
"The high-low action with Henri is going really well. I've got to learn how to play with a seven-footer. I've always been the tallest guy on the court. Usually when I drive, there's no other big there. Now there is, so I've got to learn how to throw lobs and make good bounce passes to get him the ball."

On believing in his teammate Jarin Stevenson…
"Jarin had a great game today, he's really underrated. As long as he keeps playing like that, he'll be great."

Jaydon Young
On playing in the Smith Center for the first time…
"After being in the stands as a fan, of course, being on the court now, with all these guys, is the best feeling in the world."

On how the team's offense improved in the second half…
"We got out in transition a little more. That definitely helped us make the right plays for our teammates. And everybody was playing very unselfish. And like I said, we're just playing faster. So that definitely got them, scram them a little bit, swing the ball around, come to the open side.,"

Scoreboard Slider

University of North Carolina Athletics

Players Mentioned

Kyan Evans

Jarin Stevenson

Henri Veesaar

Caleb Wilson

Jaydon Young

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