No. 16 UNC Drops First Game to No. 11 Michigan State

In Fort Myers, Florida, on November 27, 2025, the No. 16 North Carolina Tar Heels dropped their first game of the season, falling to the No. 11 Michigan State Spartans in a hard-fought matchup at the Fort Myers Tip-Off. The loss marked a stark contrast to North Carolina's undefeated start and highlighted ongoing challenges in execution and depth as both teams entered 6-0.

The Tar Heels, who had built momentum with six straight victories, including an 85-70 win over St. Bonaventure two days earlier, opened strongly against Michigan State. They surged to an 8-0 lead in the first half, building a seven-point advantage. Freshman forward Caleb Wilson, North Carolina's leading scorer at 20.2 points and 10.3 rebounds per game, sparked the start with eight points in the opening five and a half minutes. However, his production cooled, adding just 10 more points over the rest of the contest and going nearly 20 minutes without a basket. Wilson finished with 18 points and seven rebounds, but the team as a whole faltered as the Spartans mounted a comeback.

Arizona transfer center Henri Veesaar contributed 13 points and six rebounds for North Carolina, though early fouls disrupted his rhythm....