Two undefeated, nationally-ranked college basketball programs, North Carolina and Michigan State, are set to collide for the third consecutive year in a Thanksgiving showdown at the Skechers Fort Myers Tip-Off. The matchup between the 6-0 teams is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. and will be broadcast on FOX.
This game marks Carolina’s first 6-0 start since the 2016-17 season, a run extended by a hard-fought 85-70 victory over previously undefeated St. Bonaventure on Tuesday. In that contest, Henri Veesaar delivered a career-best performance with 24 points and 13 rebounds. Freshman phenom Caleb Wilson added 18 points and 12 rebounds, securing his fourth consecutive double-double—a new record for a Tar Heel freshman.
Against the Bonnies, North Carolina overcame an early deficit after a 20-7 run gave St. Bonaventure a brief lead. The Tar Heels regained a two-point advantage by halftime and pulled away with a 12-5 surge to open the second half, eventually building a lead as large as 20 points. A key factor in the turnaround was ball security; after committing 11 first-half turnovers that led to 10 points for the Bonnies, UNC had just two turnovers in the second half, resulting in zero points. The Tar Heels also dominated at the free-throw line, outscoring St. Bonaventure 21-5 from the stripe, and won the rebounding battle for the sixth straight game.
The matchup with Michigan State is part of a demanding four-game stretch for Carolina against opponents who held a combined 20-3 record entering the week.
A Rivalry Renewed in Fort Myers
North Carolina holds a 13-5 all-time series lead against Michigan State, though the Spartans claimed the last meeting, a 94-91 overtime thriller in Maui last November. In that game, Michigan State shot 54.1% from the floor, controlled the paint, and outrebounded UNC 37-29. Fort Myers will be the 13th different city to host a game between the two storied programs, with Carolina holding a 9-3 advantage in neutral-site contests.
Wilson’s Historic Freshman Campaign
Freshman forward Caleb Wilson has been instrumental to UNC’s perfect start, averaging 20.2 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 1.5 blocks while shooting 61.2% from the floor. His record-setting four straight double-doubles surpassed the previous freshman mark of three, held by Tar Heel legends like Antawn Jamison.
Wilson’s debut was equally impressive, as he became the first UNC freshman to score over 20 points in his first two games. His performance against Kansas—24 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and four steals—placed him in elite company, making him just the second freshman in program history to achieve such a stat line. His efforts have already earned him national and ACC Player of the Week honors.
Dominant Team Performance
UNC’s success extends beyond individual accolades. The team’s defense ranks among the nation’s elite, holding opponents to a combined 34.3% shooting from the floor (fifth in the country) and leading the nation in two-point field goal percentage defense (35.7%). Under head coach Hubert Davis, the Tar Heels are 49-4 when holding opponents below 40% shooting.
The team has also excelled on the glass, ranking 10th nationally in rebounding (45.8 per game) with a rebound margin of plus 12.2. Offensively, Carolina has been efficient, shooting 50% or better in four of its six games and holding a 39-1 record under Davis when hitting that mark.
A New-Look Roster
This year’s Tar Heel team features a significantly retooled roster, with 11 newcomers joining five returning players. The probable starting lineup against Michigan State consists entirely of players who were not on the team last season. This marks the first time since the 2005-06 season, following a national championship, that UNC has not returned a player who started at least half of the previous season’s games. Center Henri Veesaar, a transfer from Arizona, has been a major contributor, leading the team in field goal percentage (64.3%) and blocks while posting three double-doubles.
