Derek Dixon’s confidence becomes UNC’s closing power at Rupp

With seven seconds left on the shot clock, the ball in his hands and nothing about this final-minute possession going according to plan, Derek Dixon didn’t look rushed. He knew it was on him to make a play as North Carolina found itself down by one to Kentucky. And so he did: cross over, drive, behind-the-back escape dribble into a stepback three. It’s a move Dixon has worked on but, by definition, not the shot North Carolina drew up.

But as the ball left his fingertips, the UNC bench rose, leaning forward as if they could will the ball home. It felt “really good” coming off Dixon’s hand, he later said. And sure enough, it dropped softly through the nylon and the only sound in Rupp Arena, at that point, came from the Tar Heels’ bench — a crack of cheers and fists pumped in the air while the rest of the arena froze in disbelief.

Dixon, meanwhile, stayed stone-faced, jogging back on defense. The freshman prides himself on his ability to stay calm in moments like this. He knew he had to finish out the game. He knew there was still a lot of time left. And so, when Kentucky’s Collin Chandler responded to tie the score, Dixon returned the favor with a left-handed layup to clinch the game, 67-64 for UNC.

“There were situations where we ran a play and we just didn’t get what we were looking for,” Davis said. “And in those times, you know, you just need players to step up and make plays. And Derek made a number of them. I’m really happy for him.”

Blue Blood battle

In a game between blue bloods that threatened to become unwatchable in the second half — two expensive rosters stumbling through offensive droughts, No. 18 Kentucky going more than 10 minutes without a field goal, missing 13 straight shots at one point — Dixon seized control. And in doing so, he helped deliver No. 16 North Carolina’s first win in Rupp since Dec. 1, 2007.

UNC (7-1) now leads the series 26–18, the most wins by any non-SEC team against Kentucky. The victory also marked one of six for the ACC on night one of the third annual ACC-SEC Challenge — already tripling the number of wins (two) the conference managed in last year’s iteration.

That kind of performance, on that kind of stage, merits a little locker room love. Dixon felt it, admitting afterward that he had a “little water flowing,” on him as his teammates emptied their water bottles to anoint Dixon following his coming-out party. But Dixon didn’t delve into the details, letting his grin speak for him.

The offseason talk surrounding Dixon was similarly subdued. Davis and teammates like Seth Trimble praised his confidence and poise. But these characteristics felt more like the makings of a long-term foundational piece rather than an immediate star. There were flashes here and there, as recently as North Carolina’s trip to Fort Myers. Davis made a point to shout Dixon out for his contributions against St. Bonaventure, for instance.

But there was no mistaking it Tuesday night in Rupp Arena: this was Dixon’s moment.

Dixon shines at winning time

His fingerprints were everywhere in the final six minutes, when Davis handed him the keys to UNC’s offense. North Carolina trailed 56–50 when he checked in for the last time with 5:50 left.

The Tar Heels closed the game on a 17–8 run.

“He’s not scared of the moment,” Davis said. “And you can see that throughout the entire game. I mean, he was really comfortable out there. Felt like he had good command on both ends of the floor. And so I decided to put him in again in the second half.”

Dixon had a crucial offensive rebound, followed by another board from Jarin Stevenson, that allowed UNC to retain possession late. With 1:07 left on the clock, the Tar Heels called a timeout.

That brings us to the moment. Under a minute remaining. UNC down 62–61. The set call — a backscreen look for Henri Veesaar, per Dixon — never came open. And so Dixon, 0-for-3 from deep to that point, dribbled behind his back, and launched.

Veesaar, UNC’s leading scorer, was as honest as anyone about it.

“Uh, it wasn’t the best shot,” he admitted. “But he had the courage to take it and make it.“

Caleb Wilson, who added 15 points, couldn’t wait to talk about the shot.

“I’m so happy for him,” Wilson said with a big grin. “I ain’t gonna lie, that was fun as hell.”

Reserve guard Jonathan Powell called it what it felt like: “the dagger.”

Kentucky freshman Malachi Moreno agreed, saying the shot “really, really changed the momentum of the game.”

But there was still time left. And when Kentucky tied the game at 64-64, UNC turned again to Dixon.

Dixon strikes again

Veesaar set the high screen. Dixon didn’t hesitate. He attacked left and had a number of options: pitch it to the corner or bounce pass to Veesaar rolling to the basket. Or, take it himself.

Dixon said the defensive attention elsewhere made his decision simple.

“I was able to get downhill and I thought it was a good opportunity for me to get my own shot,” he said. “Guys weren’t helping in because they were trying to not leave anybody open for threes or anything.”

So Dixon attacked left and lofted a left-handed finish — just as Davis drills it — over the 7-foot Moreno with 16 seconds left.

Kentucky fans started filing out soon afterward, stunned silent.

Dixon’s emergence came on a night when starting point guard Kyan Evans only scored on UNC’s opening possession and spent long stretches on the bench with fouls. North Carolina could still use Evans’ shooting, and with Trimble due back soon, Davis will face a difficult decision in how he divvies up the backcourt minutes.

But in Lexington, the choice was simple.

Dixon was steady. He helped keep Kentucky out of the lane after the Wildcats scored 20 of their first 23 points in the paint. He contained the dribble drive. He forced his opponent to take tough shots. He rebounded the ball and ran the offense with poise. And he made the two defining plays in UNC’s ugliest, grittiest win of the season — a game that, aside from his final minute of brilliance, likely would have been remembered mostly for bricks and droughts.

“At the end of the game, it’s never gonna be perfect,” Veesaar said. “You just need confidence. We have 100 percent belief in him.”

Outside the visitors’ locker room, long after Dixon had done his SportsCenter hit and his teammates had finished dousing him with water, the freshman found himself swallowed by a horde of cameras and reporters. Somewhere in that commotion, he mentioned Coby White’s brother had texted him. Dixon and the Tar Heel-turned-Chicago Bull had developed a relationship over the summer — even grabbing dinner at one point — and still stay in touch.

“What did the text say?” came the natural question.

Dixon reached toward his pocket, shuffling for his phone. Then he stopped. There were still more questions to finish, a postgame meal to grab and his family around the corner waiting for him by the court.

“I actually don’t remember,” Dixon said. “Something like good work, something like that.”

There was no need to read it. Dixon didn’t need another vote of confidence.

His breakout moment had arrived and he didn’t need anyone to tell him he was ready.

This story was originally published December 3, 2025 at 1:15 PM.