The North Carolina Tar Heels took the basketball court once against on Thursday, facing Michigan State in a highly-anticipated, Thanksgiving Day clash.
When the final buzzer sounded, Tom Izzo’s Spartans emerged with a comfortable, 74-58 victory. UNC (6-1) never discovered its offensive rhythm in the second half, while failing to counter MSU’s (7-0) hot shooting.
Speaking of shooting, North Carolina suffered through its worst, late-2025 performance so far. The Tar Heels made just 21 of their 55 shots (38 percent). UNC struggled particularly from deep, draining just four of its 21 attempts, for a head-scratching 17 percent. For a team that supposedly got perimeter shooting reinforcements in the offseason, Thursday didn’t prove that being the case.
Michigan State couldn’t miss, even against North Carolina’s solid defense. The Spartans shot a lights-out 31-of-60 (52 percent) from the field, won the paint battle and took advantage of their free throws (7-of-9). Jeremy Fears (19 points), Carson Cooper (14) and Jaxon Kohler (10) all scored in double-digits, with Kohler adding 11 rebounds for a double-double.
Caleb Wilson still enjoyed a solid game, leading the Tar Heels with 18 points and seven rebounds, but he was largely a non-factor in the second half. Henri Veesaar (13 points) and Luka Bogavac (11) also scored in double-digits, but UNC got just five bench points, compared to 20 from MSU.
Take a look at some social media reactions from Thursday’s result, which creates more questions than answers for North Carolina.
Is Seth Trimble’s absence looming large?
When my grandma says we don’t look like contenders so I gotta explain that we’re missing Seth Trimble pic.twitter.com/kFfSktohI7
— UNC Barstool (@UNCBarstool) November 27, 2025
This play sums up how the game progressed
Like, Fears hits a fall away bank shot with the clock expiring, over Veesaar. Tip your cap and shrug. #UNC
— Joey Powell (@Joey_Powell) November 27, 2025
Stop overreacting
Listen yall I have been vocal about HD a lot. But UNC was always going to lose games this year. If we scream fire Hubert after every single loss this will be an exhausting season.
— William McCallister (@WilliamMcCall_) November 27, 2025
Ball security wasn’t great
Sparty closes the game on a 19-6 run. A lot for the Tar Heels to learn from this game. Key detail is that UNC had four assists against five turnovers in the 2H. Also noteworthy that the Heels were 1-11 from 3 after halftime.
— Greg Barnes (@GSBarnes23) November 27, 2025
UNC will learn from today’s loss
The shots didn’t fall, but they will in another game.. that’s sometimes how it goes.
The team will use this to fire them up with lots to learn from.
It’ll be great to get Seth back soon!
It’s only November, we’re a long way from March.
TAAAAARRRR!! pic.twitter.com/NGf0jCMWaK
— British Tar Heel (@britishtarheel) November 27, 2025
UNC does infact need Seth Trimble back
#UNC needs Seth Trimble back in a bad way.
His slashing was a key initiator in the Heels’ offense.
Luka’s handle is too lose, and that’s just not Evans’ game.
— Grant Hughes (@GrantHughesNC) November 27, 2025
No other way to describe it.
Bad night.
— Jacob Turner (@JacobTurnerNC) November 27, 2025
Tough to find offensive production from anyone tonight
Roy Williams used to say he didn’t want shooters, he wanted makers. Hubert Davis, looking for makers for #UNC tonight pic.twitter.com/SRYwu4CVQy
— Joey Powell (@Joey_Powell) November 27, 2025
Just how bad was the shooting?
#UNC shot 4/23 from the three point line today. An abysmal 18% from three.
The Heels shot 38% from the field on top of that.— North Carolina Fanpage (@tarheel_reports) November 27, 2025
Game felt winnable throughout
That’s one #UNC will want back.
Felt winnable throughout despite the Heels shooting 4-of-23 (17%) from 3-point.
Got to hope that shooting is an outlier.
Make 5 of those 19 misses (26.3%) and it’s a different ball game.
— Grant Hughes (@GrantHughesNC) November 27, 2025
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC basketball: Social media reactions to loss against Michigan State
About the Author
