UNC basketball lost 78-76 to No. 8 BYU in a preseason exhibition game on Friday, Oct. 24, in Salt Lake City.
The 25th-ranked Tar Heels had a shot to tie the game in the final seconds, but Seth Trimble couldn’t get the finish at the rim as he lost control of the ball before time expired. The Cougars scored on seven of eight possessions down the stretch to take command, using a 7-2 spurt to create a winning gap.
Talented freshmen AJ Dybantsa and Caleb Wilson were in the spotlight as two players expected to be among the best in the nation. Wilson logged a double-double performance with a game-high 22 points and 10 rebounds for the Tar Heels. Dybantsa led the Cougars with 18 points and eight rebounds. Those future NBA Draft picks also recorded three blocks each.
BYU had three other players finish in double figures: Keba Keita (16 points, 10 rebounds), Richie Saunders (14 points) and Rob Wright (12 points). Seth Trimble (17 points, 7 rebounds) and Henri Veesaar (14 points, 8 rebounds) joined Wilson in double figures.
BYU had 44 points in the paint, but UNC closed the gap with 18 fast-break points. UNC’s 11 turnovers was the key statistic in the first half as it trailed 39-35 at halftime. The Heels finished with 19 turnovers.
International prospect Luka Bogavac is on UNC’s roster and has been cleared by the NCAA, but a university issue has his status in an uncertain spot as the Tar Heels prepare for the season. Bogavac didn’t play vs. BYU.
The game won’t count against either team’s record, but, as UNC coach Hubert Davis said, “there’s huge benefits in playing games like this” before November.
Davis has a roster that includes 11 new players around Trimble. UNC added transfers Veesaar (Arizona), Jarin Stevenson (Alabama), Kyan Evans (Colorado State), Jonathan Powell (West Virginia) and Jaydon Young (Virginia Tech). In addition to Wilson, freshmen guards Derek Dixon and Isaiah Denis also joined the Tar Heels. UNC is picked to finish third in the ACC behind Louisville and reigning champion Duke.
Entering its second season under coach Kevin Young, the Cougars added Baylor transfer Rob Wright to join Dybantsa, along with senior returners Saunders and Keita. BYU is picked to finish second in the Big 12 behind two-time reigning champion Houston.
The Fayetteville Observer/USA TODAY Sports Network brought you live updates, scores and highlights from the game.
Final: No. 8 BYU 78, No. 25 UNC 76
Seth Trimble had a drive to the basket with 5.5 seconds left, but was unable to finish over Keba Keita. BYU wins 78-76 vs. UNC.
UNC trails 78-76 with 10 seconds left at BYU after three free throws by Seth Trimble.
Kennard Davis made a corner 3-pointer to give BYU a 74-71 lead against UNC, which called a timeout with 1:41 left to play. The Cougars have made their last four shots.
UNC and BYU are tied at 71 with 2:19 left to play. There have been 13 lead changes and eight ties.
UNC and BYU are tied at 68 with 3:36 left to play. Caleb Wilson up to 20 points for the Tar Heels
Seth Trimble’s fast-break layup gave UNC a 65-64 lead at the under-8 timeout. He’ll have the chance for a three-point play after the timeout. The Tar Heels have 17 fast-break points.
The Tar Heels look tired in an uptempo game in the Utah altitude. Both teams are battling and it’s a three-point game with just under 7 minutes left. UNC has three players in double figures: Caleb Wilson (18 points), Seth Trimble (11 points), Henri Veesaar (10 points).
UNC has improved on the boards, evening things up at 29. Tar Heels trail by two points at the under-12 timeout.
The Tar Heels have two turnovers in the first four minutes of the second half, but trail 45-44 vs. BYU. AJ Dybantsa up to 15 points for the Cougars. Jarin Stevenson has eight points, Seth Trimble has seven points after second-half buckets.
Halftime: No. 8 BYU 39, No. 25 UNC 35
AJ Dybantsa (11 points) and Keba Keita (10 points) highlighted a 12-3 run for BYU, which has a 35-29 lead vs. UNC at the under-4 timeout.
Following a Jaydon Young steal and Caleb Wilson dunk that gave the Tar Heels their first lead, BYU made a 3-pointer before the under-8 media timeout. UNC trails 23-22.
It’s an 8-0 run for UNC, which has hit back-to-back treys (Stevenson, Dixon) after missing its first five from 3-point range. The game is tired at 18.
UNC has seven turnovers in 8 minutes vs BYU, which has an early 8-point lead and seven points from AJ Dybantsa. Five Tar Heels have scored, none more than once. The Cougars have seven points off UNC’s turnovers.
BYU freshman AJ Dybantsa has seven points, UNC has 10 early on in the first half.
Seth Trimble had a one-handed highlight dunk on the fast break in the first half. UNC trails 16-10.
Zayden High has three turnovers in 2-plus minutes off the bench. The Tar Heels have six turnovers in the first 5-plus minutes.
UNC trails 9-6 vs. BYU at the under-16 timeout. The Tar Heels have four turnovers and Kyan Evans has two fouls. Both teams shooting under 40%.
With Evans picking up two fouls, Dixon is on the court for the Tar Heels.
West Virginia transfer Jonathan Powell and sophomore Zayden High replaced Caleb Wilson and Jarin Stevenson as the Tar Heels’ first substitutions. Freshman guard Derek Dixon later replaced Evans, who picked up two fouls before the first media timeout.
Arizona transfer Henri Veesaar got an offensive rebound that led to a two-handed dunk for Caleb Wilson for the freshman’s first unofficial points as a Tar Heel.
Kyan Evans had UNC’s first bucket against BYU. The Colorado State transfer figures to be a big piece for the Tar Heels.
Here are the starting lineups for UNC vs. BYU:
UNCKyan EvansSeth TrimbleCaleb WilsonJarin StevensonHenri VeesaarBYURobert Wright IIIAJ DybantsaKeba KeitaRichie SaundersKennard Davis Jr.
International prospect Luka Bogavac will not play in UNC’s exhibition game at BYU, a university spokesperson confirmed to The Fayetteville Observer/USA TODAY Sports Network. Andrew Jones of TarHeel247/CBS Sports Network first reported the news via social media. In a social media post, Jones featured a photo of Bogavac in UNC gear on the bench while the Tar Heels were warming up in Utah.
Cleared by the NCAA but awaiting clearance from the university, Luka Bogavac has been practicing with the Tar Heels and played in the Blue-White scrimmage at the Smith Center on Oct. 4. But there’s no timetable on a resolution for his situation, so the Tar Heels are a bit in limbo as November closes in and games begin.
UNC basketball receiving $500,000 from BYU for exhibition game
According to documents obtained by the USA TODAY Network through a public records request, UNC is getting a guaranteed payment of $500,000 from BYU for playing the exhibition game in Utah. According to the agreement, which was dated April 23 and signed on May 7-8, the amount is “to be paid 30 days after the contest. The visiting team will advise Brigham Young University on payment details.”
What time does UNC vs BYU start?Date: Friday, Oct. 24Time: 9 p.m. ETWhere: Delta Center in Salt Lake City, UtahWhat TV channel is UNC vs BYU on today?
How to watch online: Watch ESPN (here’s how to stream it live)
TV: N/A
Streaming: ESPN+
UNC vs BYU predictionsRodd Baxley, The Fayetteville Observer: The Tar Heels are playing at a neutral site, but it’ll have the feel of a true road test in Salt Lake City, which is roughly an hour from BYU’s campus in Provo. With 11 newcomers, it’s hard to gauge what UNC will look like in its first game against a top-10 team. With a star in AJ Dybantsa who has several key returners around him, the Cougars are the safer bet. BYU 85, UNC 80.UNC vs BYU injury updates
This section will be updated before tip off.
Who is starting for UNC basketball vs BYU?
Here are the potential starting lineups for UNC vs. BYU:
UNCKyan EvansSeth TrimbleCaleb WilsonJarin StevensonHenri VeesaarBYURobert Wright IIIAJ DybantsaKeba KeitaRichie SaundersKennard Davis Jr.UNC basketball schedule 2025-26Oct. 24: vs. BYU (exhibition in Salt Lake City)Oct. 29: vs. Winston-Salem State (exhibition)Nov. 3 vs. Central ArkansasNov. 7 vs. KansasNov. 11 vs. RadfordNov. 14 vs. NC CentralNov. 18 vs. NavyNov. 25 vs. St. Bonaventure, Fort Myers, Fla. (Skechers Fort Myers Tip-Off)Nov. 27 vs. Michigan State, Fort Myers, Fla. (Skechers Fort Myers Tip-Off)Dec. 2 at Kentucky (ACC-SEC Challenge)Dec. 7 vs. GeorgetownDec. 13 vs. USC UpstateDec. 16 vs. ETSUDec. 20 vs. Ohio State, Atlanta, Ga. (CBS Sports Classic)Dec. 22 vs. ECUDec. 30 vs. Florida StateJan. 3 at SMU Jan. 10 vs. Wake ForestJan. 14 at StanfordJan. 17 at CalJan. 21 vs. Notre DameJan. 24 at Virginia Jan. 31 at Georgia TechFeb. 2 vs. Syracuse, 7 p.m. (ESPN)Feb. 7 vs. DukeFeb. 10 at MiamiFeb. 14 vs. PittFeb. 17 at NC StateFeb. 21 at SyracuseFeb. 23 vs. Louisville, 7 p.m., (ESPN)Feb. 28 vs. Virginia TechMarch 3 vs. ClemsonMarch 7 at Duke
Rodd Baxley covers North Carolina Tar Heels athletics for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding UNC? Send them to rbaxley@fayobserver.com.