Feb 13, 2026
3 min read
The top five picks are expected to be hurt in UNC's first-half loss at Miami.This could jeopardize Carolina's ability to qualify for the NCAA Tournament.
Caleb Wilson injury: How a broken hand for UNC's best player could affect team's NCAA Tournament run
The projected top-five pick was injured in the first half of UNC's loss at Miami, which could shake Carolina's push for the NCAA Tournament.
One of the most important rookies in sports may be playing his final college game.
North Carolina announced Thursday afternoon that star quarterback Caleb Wilson suffered a left hand injury in Tuesday's 75-66 road loss to the Tar Heels.
"X-rays taken during the game were negative and he returned to play late in the second half against the Hurricanes, but additional imaging in Chapel Hill revealed the fracture," according to the school."The evaluation process is ongoing to determine the timetable for Wilson's return."
Wilson played 26 minutes against Miami, his fewest against a power conference opponent this season.He also logged a season-low 12 points.
Impact on the UNC lineup
Broken hands can sometimes lead to extended absences, so there's no telling whether or not Wilson will be able to suit up in the near future, or whether the injury and subsequent rehabilitation will force him to sit out until March.Wilson was one of the top performers as a freshman in what is considered the deepest single-team class in college basketball history.
With 19.8 points and 9.4 rebounds per game, Wilson finished as the top rookie in Carolina history twice.His 17th and 20th goals were the first by a player in the program.Wilson's dunks are the most prolific in college basketball.
Without Wilson, UNC loses great defense, scoring, versatility and rebounding from deep.Nothing replaces the motor or the stamina either.UNC is outside the top 40 in defensive efficiency according to KenPom and is counting on Wilson's hard work and relentless play to make a leap this season after barely qualifying for the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
UNC has been playing an eight-man rotation for most of the year.The Heels' starting four will be center Henry Weiser.Jarin Stevenson in the frontcourt (moving from the 3 and possibly replacing Wilson's 4-man); veteran shooting guard Seth Trimble and rising star Derek Dixon running the point in the backcourt.
The most likely way to keep UNC with effective size in its regular lineup is to inject 6-6 swingman Luka Bogavac into the starting five.The 22-year-old from Montenegro started 13 games at the start of the year.
Backup shooting guard Jonathan Powell and point guard Kyan Evans (who has played 17 times) will also see their roles increase.Everyone else has played the role.Can UNC go seven deep as it heads back toward the month-long stretch leading up to Selection Sunday?
Setting the NCAA Tournament Outlook
Thursday's news makes North Carolina one of the more interesting teams to watch next month.
There are multiple outcomes at stake, as the loss of Wilson will be a problem for the 19-5 Heels who are ranked 11th this week but do not have the projected NCAA seed corresponding to its AP rankings.
The Tar Heels currently sit between the No. 6 and No. 7 seed in CBS Sports' latest NCAA Tournament bracket predictions.Depending on how the Tar Heels play without their most talented player in the coming weeks, the board will evaluate (but not necessarily punish) UNC without Wilson.Now, if UNC can win without its most important player, the board will reward it.uses appropriate heel.
The next game is manageable: UNC hosts lowly Pitt on Saturday, followed by back-to-back road tests against North Carolina State and Syracuse.Home games against Louisville and Clemson still await (both are moving toward healthy tournament seeds) and, of course, there's the season finale at Duke.
Wilson, an Atlanta native, projects as a top-five draft prospect.North Carolina hasn't had a player finish in the top five since Marvin Williams went No. 2 in 2005.
