UNC-USC Upstate Postgame Quotes

POSTGAME QUOTES

UNC 80, USC UPSTATE 62

DECEMBER 13, 2025

DEAN E. SMITH CENTER, CHAPEL HILL, N.C.

UNC Head Coach Hubert Davis

On Jonathan Powell's performance…

"He's a guy that can make shots and today, he not only made shots, but timely shots, especially from three [...] But he's also a really physical defender, very competitive, and just has a passion and desire to be a part of this team and this program. So I was really happy they had a good game today."

On the preparation for today's game…

"The 20 assists, I felt like we really shared the basketball. We took good shots, we took care of the basketball, and so from that standpoint, I was really happy with the team. I just didn't feel like the practices leading up to the game were at the level of attention to detail that is required to put yourself in a position to be successful… It's a tremendous lesson. I told them, I'm a visual learner. I can remember things, but if I see it, I remember for the rest of my life, and my hope is that they could clearly see that there is a connection between how you prepare and how you practice in relation to how you play."

On Jaydon Young and James Brown…

"Jaydon has been practicing well, and him getting into the game being able to knock down that shot, I thought he was good defensively [...] JB [James Brown] dove on the floor, I was animated there, you know. And so because that was hustle, and it might not show up on Instagram stories, but I thought it was the biggest play of the game [...] but I thought, you know, Jaydon, that three was huge for us. It got us going."

On Seth Trimble's recovery…

"It's going very well. In regards to him working out, he's doing everything except what's contact. And so, the next step is doing everything with contact. And so, my hope is that Seth will be out there soon, so he's been able to practice a little bit."

UNC Forward Caleb Wilson

On why today's game was close…

"I think they just played good basketball, hit some tough shots, and we allowed for offensive rebounds. Our preparation for practice a couple of days before wasn't as good as it should have been…As a team we just have to approach it [...] stronger and better. Just have more energy and more enthusiasm no matter who we play."

On missing free throws…

"I don't know what was going on with that one. I missed like three of them in and out. And you know, that's just going to happen sometimes. Not gonna sweat it. I'll just shoot some free throws tonight. Get back, get back to it…I come here pretty much every night. Honestly, I just need to do something that's outside of practice to better myself. So, I try to work on my three-point shooting and shoot my mid-range jumpshots – stuff like that, because that's stuff I actually have to work on…I just do it by myself. I play some music and go do it."

On balancing the win vs. areas that need work…

"I'll just say you always put the win on top, but then we'll go over film. I'll rewatch the game myself to see things I could have done better. And then, we have to move on. The game is quick – ETSU is on Tuesday, Ohio State on Saturday, then it's about to go fast."

On Jonathan Powell…

"He just hit open shots. He just made good decisions [...] A guy like that he's a great shooter, so just making sure he gets the open looks and knocks them down as good."

On the huddles and second-half performance…

"Making sure that as a team, we know that no matter who we play, there has to be a focus. I feel like I was also lacking too. I mean, I picked up my 10th rebound later in the game, but I got to be more aggressive coming out to start."

UNC Guard Luka Bogavac

On key takeaways from this game for the future…

"To just be consistent, to try to play for 40 minutes hard ... just try to give our best defensively, to use our qualities…We can do other things differently so I think that you should maintain the focus for 40 minutes."

On battling low intensity…

"Yeah, we think that we relaxed a couple times when we play, when we lead with double digits ... But we can't do this. We can't do this against bigger teams…we should be able to come back to the game after this period of just shooting on the court. So for us, just take the key to just play 40 minutes hard with effort and we'll be great."

On having good rhythm today…

"I just played the game, so if it happened that I should pass 10 times, I will pass 10 times. If it happens that I get to shoot 10 times, I'll shoot 10 times. It just depends on the game, the coverage and the defense, so I just try to play the right way."

UNC Center Henri Veesaar

On learning from today's game…

"We're going to have a good film session after this game. We're gonna look at all the clips that we did wrong, wherever guys didn't do their jobs, where they have a lot to do better, and those are the simple things that we can fix. And if you have it on tape, watching a video, you know what you gotta do."

On Jonathan Powell's performance…

"He went three for six from three. That's huge. We need shooting. We haven't been shooting it great as a team. So him stepping up and making three threes in our game and shooting it efficiently is amazing for us. It helps us a lot.

UNC Guard Jonathan Powell

On the slow start to the game…

"I don't think that we were as bought in on defense as we usually are. So I think as the game went on, we started to pick up our effort and intensity. Then it led to us getting the win."

On Coach Davis' message to the team…

"I mean, what Coach says: no matter who we play, a win is a win. So those are the games that we don't want to lose. So coming on top with the win in that type of game is very important for us."

On staying prepared…

"Just take it practice by practice, game by game. So really, like I said, just staying ready for opportunity when it comes. And I think tonight was a great chance for me to come in and show what I can do. So really, just build on that and be consistent for my team."

Scoreboard Slider

University of North Carolina Athletics

Related News

Players Mentioned

James Brown

Jonathan Powell

Seth Trimble

Henri Veesaar

Caleb Wilson

Jaydon Young

Related Videos