North Carolina Snapped Their Two Game Losing Streak With 91-69 Win Over Notre Dame Wednesday Night In Chapel Hill
Coming into the game with Notre Dame Wednesday night North Carolina was on a two game losing streak because they had sustained back to back losses to California, Stanford on the West Coast because they lost at Stanford Wednesday 95-90 where Henri Veesaar who is a junior a center was 9-12 on field goals , 2-2 on 3 pointers to go along with 6 rebounds , 1 assists, 26 points. Caleb Wilson who is a freshman a forward was 11-16 on field goals , 4-7 on free throws to go along 9 rebounds , 2 assists, 26 points.
Though, Henri Veesaar, Caleb Wilson scored 26 points each Wednesday night North Carolina was topped by Stanford because Ebuka Okorie who is freshman who is a guard scored 36 points. As Ebuka Okorie scored 36 points he was 12-20 on field goals , 3-5 on 3 pointers , 9-11 on free throws to go along with 3 rebounds, 9 assists.
Where?
On the hardwood in Stanford California at Maples Pavilion!
According to ESPN App
Following Henri Veesaar, Caleb Wilson scoring 26 each in the 95 -90 loss North Carolina Head Coach Hubert Davis shared his thoughts on his teams loss to Stanford by sharing his thoughts on Stanford freshman guard Ebuka Okorie who was scored 36 points by saying “Obviously, he’s a really gifted player... he’s an elite and a willing passer as well,”
“So it’s not just, he can get fouled and get to the free throw line. We put a number of different defenders, our best one-on-one defenders [on him].”
He had a big night,“but there were others that stepped up and did the job.”
Though,
Head Coach Hubert Davis wasn’t the only one to share his thoughts follows North Carolina’s 95-90 loss to Stanford as Henri Veesaar who is a center a junior Caleb Wilson who is a freshman a forward did as well by saying I feel like we just have to take pride in playing defense and playing one-on-one.
“I’m frustrated,”
According to Shelby Swanson ‘s News & Observer article https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/duke/article314291264.html
Then on Saturday North Carolina lost yet again to a team located on the West Coast this time in California by score of 84-78.
In 1st half North Carolina defensively let California shoot 10-16 on 3 pointers for 63 % it was most points allowed by North Carolina since 2008 season.
John Camden who is a forward a senior was 4-8 on 3 pointers. Justin Pippen who is a guard a sophomore who is the son of Scottie Pippen who played 17 seasons in the NBA & was a key part of the Chicago Bulls dynasty that won six NBA Championships
According to https://calbears.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/justin-pippen/26336
Dai Dai Ames who is a junior who is a guard was 3-5 on 3 pointers!
According to ESPN App
In the 2nd half California cooled off considerably from 3 point range as California as a team was just 4-10 on 3 pointers that allowed North Carolina to rally from 17 points down as Caleb Wilson who is a freshman who is a forward was 6-12 on field goals , 0-1 on 3 pointers to go along with 5 rebounds , 4 assists, 17 points . Henri Veesaar who is a junior a center was 5-11 on field goals , 1-6 on 3 pointers , 3-8 on free throws to go along with 10 rebounds, 2 assists , 14 points Derek Dixon who is a freshman a guard was 5-11 on field goals , 4-8 on 3 pointers to go along with 1 rebound , 3 assists, 14 points though the result was the same a loss to a Atlantic Coast Conference opponent on the West Coast.
According to espn app
Following North Carolina’s 84-78 loss at California Saturday North Carolina Head Coach Hubert Davis shared his thoughts by saying Everybody goes through some bumps,”Whether it’s at the beginning of the year, middle of the year — you hope it’s not at the end of the year — and so these are some bumps that we went through this week and three of the last four games, and we’re going to have to respond and fight back. We have an opportunity to do this. I love these kids... I love being around them, and we’ll figure it out.”
According to Shelby Swanson News & Observer article https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/unc/article314290337.html
North Carolina snapped their two game losing streak Wednesday night with 91-69 win over Notre Dame in Chapel Hill.
Where?
On the hardwood!
As North Carolina who is ranked 22nd in week 11 AP Top 25 Poll snapped their two game losing streak Wednesday night with 91-69 win over Notre Dame as a team North Carolina shot 31-61 on field goals for 51 % 13-34 for 38 % on 3 pointers were 16-23 on free throws for 70 %. Three players scored in double figures . Caleb Wilson who is a forward a freshman was 8-11 on field goals , 1-3 on 3 pointers , 5-8 on free throws to go along with 7 rebounds , 5 assists, 22 points. Henri Veesaar who is a junior a center was 6-10 on field goals , 1-3 on 3 pointers , 2-5 on free throws to go along 12 rebounds , 1 assists 15 points. Derek Dixon who is a freshman a guard was 4-6 on field goals , 3-5 on 3 pointers to go along 3 rebounds, 2 assists , 11 points.
According to espn app
Following North Carolina snapping their two game losing streak North Carolina Head Coach Hubert Davis shared his thoughts on Caleb Wilson who is a forward a freshman was 8-11 on field goals , 1-3 on 3 pointers , 5-8 on free throws to go along with 7 rebounds , 5 assists, 22 points!
Somebody that stepped up dramatically in leadership was Caleb,”“Last couple days, including tonight. He’s one of the guys that was more vocal.”
He’s been more vocal in practices this week, the head coach said. And, on Wednesday, just before the team took the floor for warmups — as Davis wrapped up his last pregame words to the Tar Heels
“I want guys to speak up. I want guys to be leaders,” he said. “And I’ve enjoyed Caleb being more vocal the last three days. I think it’s really ignited our team. He has a personality that encourages guys. He’s a great teammate. He lights up the room every time he steps in it. And now that he’s using his voice, it’s really motivating the team in a good way.”
Following North Carolina snapping their two game losing streak North Carolina freshman forward Caleb Wilson who was 8-11 on field goals , 1-3 on 3 pointers , 5-8 on free throws to go along with 7 rebounds , 5 assists, 22 points shared his thoughts by saying “For me, honestly, I just know my time here is limited, and I want to make the most Every game matters to me… so, honestly, I was yelling at my teammates about, like, we’re North Carolina, bro. We shouldn’t be losing to Cal. That’s just how I feel. I feel like that’s how everybody feels.”
According to Shelby Swanson News & Observer article https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/unc/article314373812.html
With North Carolina snapping two game losing streak North Carolina improves their record to 15-4 overall 3-3 in the Atlantic Coast Conference is seventh in the standings
North Carolina is now going to prepare to play Virginia in Charlottesville Saturday afternoon!
Virginia unlike North Carolina didn’t play an Atlantic Coast Conference opponent in the middle of the week this week because Virginia previously played an opponent on Saturday January 17, 2026 at SMU where they topped SMU by score 72-68 when Virginia was ranked 16th in AP Top 25 poll who moved in this poll to 14th with 72-68 win. where as a team Virginia shot 25-60 on field goals for 42 % 12-31 on on 3 pointers for 39 % 10-12 on free throws for 83 %. Three players scored in double figures. Thijas De Ridder who is a forward a freshman was 5-12 on field goals , 1-2 on 3 pointers , 6-6 on free throws to go along with 6 rebounds , 17 points. Malik Thomas was 7-14 on field goals 6-10 on 3 pointers , 3-4 on free throws to go along with 11 rebounds , 1 assists, 23 points . Devin Tillis who is a forward a senior was 4-6 on field goals , 3-5 on 3 pointers to go along with 1 assists, 11 points.
According to ESPN App
Following Virginia topping SMU 72-68 on Saturday January 17, 2026 in Dallas Texas Head Coach Ryan Odom shared his thoughts on his team by saying Every win on the road is like gold,”
Following Virginia topping SMU 72-68 on Saturday January 17, 2026 in Dallas Texas Thijas De Ridder a forward a freshman was 5-12 on field goals , 1-2 on 3 pointers , 6-6 on free throws to go along with 6 rebounds , 17 points shared his thoughts by saying I was just happy we took this, because I know how many teams have lost here,”
Following Virginia topping SMU 72-68 on Saturday January 17, 2026 in Dallas Texas Malik Thomas a guard a freshman shared his thoughts by saying “Every loss is a lesson for us,”nd I feel like that Virginia Tech game, if we didn't lose that, we wouldn't be in the position we are now. Obviously, you want to win and learn lessons from a win, but sometimes it's good enough to learn from a loss. So I think that showed us a lot of things, how to close games. I know there's points in the game where we could have closed it and stretched out even further, but [SMU is] a good team.”
According Jeff White Virginia Athletics article https://virginiasports.com/news/2026/01/17/no-16-cavaliers-make-another-statement-on-road
Tip -off is set for 2:00pm from John Paul Jones Arena!
The game is going to be televised on ESPN with Dave O’Brien, Cory Alexander, Dick Vitale commentating!
Dave O’Brien serves as a play-by-play commentator for ESPN, calling college basketball and other marquee events across ESPN platforms. One of the most versatile and respected voices in sports broadcasting, O’Brien has been a trusted presence on national broadcasts for more than two decades.
O’Brien joined ESPN in 2002 and has called a wide range of events for the network, including college basketball, Major League Baseball, and select NCAA Championships.
In addition to his work with ESPN, O’Brien is also the television voice of the Boston Red Sox on NESN, a role he has held since 2016. Over his distinguished career, he has called MLB postseason games on both television and radio, the World Series, and numerous NCAA Tournament matchups, as well as NBA, NFL, and international soccer broadcasts.
A graduate of Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, O’Brien began his professional career in radio before moving into national television.
A native of Quincy, Massachusetts, O’Brien resides in the Boston area with his family. Cory Alexander joined ESPN in 2009, working as college basketball analyst on ESPN and ACC Network.
Before joining ESPN, Alexander worked as an analyst for the University of Virginia radio network and was an ACC Network commentator for Raycom Sports. He launched the Cory Alexander Basketball School in August 1995 and he still operates it as the owner and president.
His last season in the NBA came with the Charlotte Bobcats in 2004-2005, and he previously played for the Orlando Magic and Denver Nuggets. His first three seasons were spent with the San Antonio Spurs after they drafted him 29th overall in the first round of the 1995 NBA Draft.
A 1995 graduate from the University of Virginia with a bachelor of science degree in psychology, Alexander is a native Waynesboro, Va. A four-year letterwinner, he ranks eighth in UVA history with 401 assists and 24th on their all-time scoring list with 1,286 points. Alexander earned second-team All-ACC honors and a gold medal at the FIBA U21 World Championship in 1993. Alexander was a McDonald’s All-American and Parade First Team All-American in 1991 at Oak Hill Academy (Va.).
Dick Vitale, college basketball’s top analyst and ambassador, joined ESPN during the 1979-80 season—just after the network’s September 1979 launch—following a successful college and pro coaching career. In 2008, Vitale received the sport’s ultimate honor when he was selected as an inductee into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
His thorough knowledge of the game is brought forth in an enthusiastic, passionate, sometimes controversial—but never boring—style.
Vitale called ESPN’s first-ever major NCAA basketball game—Wisconsin at DePaul on Dec. 5, 1979 (a 90-77 DePaul win). Since then, he’s called over a thousand games.
He has been profiled by a wide array of national magazines, ranging from Sports Illustrated, Sport and The Sporting News to People, Playboy and Travel & Leisure. He received eight CableACE nominations, and captured awards in 1994 and 1995.
“I’m living the American dream,” Vitale once said. “I learned from my mom and dad, who didn’t have a formal education, but had doctorates of love. They told me that if you gave 110 percent all the time, a lot of beautiful things will happen. I may not always be right, but no one can ever accuse me of not having a genuine love and passion for whatever I do. And ESPN has been grateful enough to recognize this.”
And while his knowledge, preparation and enthusiasm are unparalleled, his “Vitale-isms” have unwittingly taken on a life of their own. Just a few of his many household phrases: “Awesome, Baby!,” “Get a TO, Baby!” (call a timeout), “PTP’er” (prime-time player), “M & M’er” (a mismatch), “Rolls Roycer” (a flat-out superstar), “diaper dandy” (freshman star), “All-Windex Performer” (ferocious rebounder) and “Maalox time” (the final minutes of a close game). Vitale credits Hall of Fame broadcaster Jim Simpson, who he teamed with in the early 80’s, in helping him develop his broadcast style.
But Vitale’s roots are in teaching the game he’s loved since a child. Following college, he got a job teaching at Mark Twain Elementary School (Garfield, N.J.) and coaching junior high school football and basketball. He began coaching at the high school level at Garfield High School, where he coached for one season (1963-64). He then earned four state sectional championships, two consecutive state championships, and 35 consecutive victories during his seven years at his alma mater—East Rutherford, NJ, High School (1964-70). He joined Rutgers University for two years (1970-72) as an assistant coach, helping to recruit Phil Sellers and Mike Dabney, two cornerstones on an eventual NCAA Final Four team (1976).
Vitale then coached at the University of Detroit (1973-77), compiling a winning percentage of .722 (78-30), which included a 21-game winning streak during the 1976-77 season when the team participated in the NCAA Tournament. Included in the streak was a victory in Milwaukee over Al McGuire’s eventual national champion Marquette team. In April 1977, Vitale was named Athletic Director at Detroit and later that year was named the United Fund’s Detroit Man of the Year. In May 1978, he was named head coach of the NBA’s Detroit Pistons, which he coached during the 1978-79 season prior to joining ESPN.
Vitale is also quite the philanthropist. He’s on the Board of Directors of The V Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to finding a cure for cancer and founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano (an organization which has since raised over $200 million for cancer research). He hosts the annual “Dick Vitale Gala” in Florida benefiting the V Foundation, which has raised 25.2 million to date, gathering numerous celebrities to raise money and honor individuals such as Krzyzewski, Bob Knight and Pat Summitt, Billy Donovan, Tom Izzo, Jay Wright and Nick Saban and Robin Roberts.
For many years he has awarded five scholarships annually to the Boys & Girls Club of Sarasota (Fla.). His involvement with the organization was highlighted in April 1999 with the “Dick Vitale Sports Night,” an annual banquet that has raised more than $1 million. In April 2000, in recognition of Vitale’s support for the Boys and Girls Club, it was announced that a new building would be named The Dick Vitale Physical Education and Health Training Center. A statue of him stands in front of the Training Center. Vitale was inducted into the Sarasota’s Boys and Girls Club Hall of Fame at the 2001 Dinner. In 2002, Sarasota magazine named him one of the area’s most influential citizens.
He participates on selection committees for the Naismith and Wooden Awards and is a member of The Associated Press voting panel for the Top-25. He is also a voter for the Hall of Fame’s Bob Cousy Awards.
And Vitale is a popular figure even outside of sports television. He’s made cameo appearances in several movies as himself: The Naked Gun: From The Files of Police Squad! (1988, starring Leslie Nielsen), Hoop Dreams (1994 award-winning documentary), Blue Chips (1994, Nick Nolte), The Sixth Man (1997, Marlon Wayans and Kadeem Hardison), He Got Game (1998, Denzel Washington and Ray Allen) and Love and Basketball (2000). In 1995’s Jury Duty with Pauly Shore and Tia Carrere, he played “Hal Gibson.” And in 1992, he teamed with Jim Valvano to play furniture movers (“V&V Movers”) on the hit series The Cosby Show.
He was even the subject of a David Letterman Top-10 list—“Top Ten Signs Dick Vitale Is Nuts!”— in 1996—where he even read the list on the show (a couple of gems: “I’ve referred to everything as baby, except an actual baby” and “I keep repainting the roof of my house to match Dennis Rodman’s hair”). In March 1999, HBO’s Real Sports profiled Vitale.
Vitale’s also authored several books, including the most recent — Dick Vitale’s Mount Rushmores of College Basketball-Solid Gold Prime Time Performers From My Four Decades at ESPN, and It’s Awesome, Baby!: 75 Years of Memories and a Lifetime of Opinions on the Game I Love.
Vitale graduated from Seton Hall University with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration. He also earned a master’s degree in education from William Paterson College and has 32 graduate credits beyond the master’s degree in administration.
A few of Vitale’s recent prestigious honors: In 2000, Vitale was recognized with the NABC Cliff Wells Appreciation Award for outstanding service to the college basketball coaching community and college basketball in general, and in 2001, the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) presented him with the Jake Wade Award, for contributions to college athletics and in 2008, CoSIDA honored Vitale with the prestigious Keith Jackson Eternal Flame Award given to an individual who, or an organization which, has made a lasting contribution to intercollegiate athletics, has demonstrated a long and consistent commitment to excellence and has been a loyal supporter of CoSIDA and its mission. Additionally, as part of the Washington Speakers Bureau, he has spoken at many corporate events about his efforts as a broadcaster and philanthropist.
In 2002, the Florida Association of Community Corrections presented him with their President’s Humanitarian Award for his work with young people, while in 2003, Vitale was honored with the first-ever Ethics and Sportsmanship in Sports Media Award given by the Institute for International Sport, as well as the National Pathfinder Award, co-presented by Indiana Sports Corporation and Indiana Black Expo, to individuals who have demonstrated a dedicated commitment to improving the lives of America’s youth. In 2008, he was selected as the recipient of the 2008 Naismith Men’s Outstanding Contributor to Basketball (pays tribute to individuals who made a significant impact on college basketball). The Tampa Bay Sports Commission awarded Vitale with their Lee Roy Selmon Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011 for his incredible support in the Tampa Bay sports community. In 2012, the Tampa Bay Business Journal honored Vitale as Philanthropist of the Year during their annual Health Care Heroes event. In the same year, Vitale was also named one of 13 Magnetic Men by PARC, a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide opportunities for children and adults with developmental disabilities. In addition to being inducted into their hall of fame in 2013, the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association named Vitale the Sportscaster of the Year. In 2014, he earned several awards, including the Vincent T. Lombardi Memorial Award, presented by UNICO, the Man of the Year Award from the American Cancer Society, and the Humanitarian of the Year from his alma mater Seton Hall University. The AutoZone Liberty Bowl recognized Vitale with the Distinguished Citizen Award in 2015 for his work raising money for cancer research. Vitale was also recognized by the National Association of Basketball Coaches with the Man of the Year Award. In 2023, Vitale was recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award from Nancy Lieberman’s Dream Ball Gall, the same year he was presented with the Knute Rockne Inspiration Award. In 2025, Vitale was awarded the Dean Smith Award by the United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA), which recognizes an individual in college basketball who embodies the spirit and values of the late Coach Smith, and the Winged Foot Award Legend by the New York Athletic Club, reserved for the men and women whose impact on the game of basketball has been extraordinarily profound.
In addition, he’s been selected for 14 halls of fame: National Italian Sports Hall of Fame, the Elmwood Park, N.J., Hall of Fame (his hometown), the Sarasota Boys and Girls Club Hall of Fame (inducted in inaugural class of 2001), the Five-Star Basketball Camp Hall of Fame (2003), the University of Detroit Hall of Fame, the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 1996 (he’s a resident of the state), the East Rutherford, N.J., Hall of Fame (1985), the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame (2008), the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (2008), Sarasota Community Archives Hall of Fame (2009), the Little League Museum Hall of Excellence (2012), the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Awards (NSSA) Hall of Fame (2013), Wooden Cup Award (2017), the National Sportscasters Hall of Fame (2018), and the Sports Club of Tampa Bay Hall of Fame (2025).
Dick Vitale was born in Passaic, New Jersey and resided in his youth in Garfield and Elmwood Park, New Jersey. He and his wife Lorraine now reside in Lakewood Ranch, Florida (Sarasota-Bradenton area), and have two daughters, Terri and Sherri, who both attended Notre Dame on tennis scholarships, and who both graduated with MBAs from the Golden Dome.
The Vitale’s proud involvement with Notre Dame includes the endowment of the Dick Vitale Family Scholarship, presented annually to Irish undergraduates who participate in Notre Dame Sports and activities that do not provide financial aid. Recipients over the years have included the school’s Leprechaun mascot, cheerleaders, and band members.
According to https://espnpressroom.com/us/bios/dave-obrien/
https://espnpressroom.com/us/bios/cory-alexander/
https://espnpressroom.com/us/bios/vitale_dick/