Henri Veesaar’s return brought what UNC basketball needed to win at Syracuse

For nearly two weeks, watching hurt the most.

Since the flu and a lower-extremity issue limited Henri Veesaar’s effectiveness on Feb. 10 in Miami and then forced him to the sideline for two straight games, the 7-footer said the hardest part wasn’t the physical recovery — it was seeing his team play without him. Or, more accurately, struggle without him.

Veesaar watched the Tar Heels labor to generate offense during an 82-58 loss to N.C. State Tuesday in Raleigh, saw defenders switch with ease and guards get pushed around in the paint during a rivalry loss. All he could do was watch. “I know it’s a rivalry, so it means a lot to the people in Chapel Hill,” Veesaar said. “So not being able to help them win and give the community a win — that frustrated me the most.”

Saturday offered relief. Veesaar returned to the starting lineup and scored 19 points to lead No. 16 North Carolina to a 77-64 win over Syracuse at the JMA Wireless Dome. His production — and his presence protecting the rim and spacing the offense — steadied a team that had looked unsettled without him and star freshman Caleb Wilson.

His availability remained uncertain until shortly before tipoff. After limited participation in practice Friday, Veesaar was listed as questionable and later deemed a game-time decision. During warmups, he moved freely, finishing his usual reverse layups and smiling as his name boomed over the loudspeaker to announce his return.

The impact followed quickly.

The redshirt junior scored nine points in 12 first-half minutes on 4-of-5 shooting, stabilizing a sluggish offensive start. His presence forced Syracuse’s defense to collapse inside, opening driving lanes and reducing reliance on perimeter shooting after North Carolina struggled from deep earlier in the week.

Veesaar finished 9 of 13 from the field with 19 points in 26 minutes, adding three rebounds and three blocks while anchoring the defense.

“Henri had a huge impact on the game,” coach Hubert Davis said. “Having him back in the lineup was huge.”

Veesaar, Heels pulled away after halftime

North Carolina led 33-28 at halftime before pulling away behind an efficient second half, shooting 61.5% after the break and outscoring Syracuse 44-36.

The separation came after Syracuse forward William Kyle III tied the game midway through the half with a breakaway dunk. North Carolina answered with a decisive run built on interior scoring, transition chances and improved guard play — areas influenced by Veesaar’s return.

“I feel like after the first 10 minutes, I kind of got back in the rhythm and got used to playing,” he said.

The proof was provided with a one-handed dunk that capped an 8-0 run — a play that got Wilson and the bench plenty fired up.

North Carolina’s frontcourt depth also continued to develop. Sophomore Zayden High added nine points and 11 rebounds, providing energy on the glass and allowing the staff to manage Veesaar’s minutes while maintaining physicality inside.

Seth Trimble delivered a second-half scoring burst, finishing with 13 points after going scoreless before halftime. Luka Bogavac added 13 points and six rebounds as North Carolina held Syracuse to 3-of-17 shooting from three. J.J. Starling led Syracuse with 20.

Veesaar’s return reshaped the Tar Heels’ offensive profile. North Carolina emphasized paint touches, attempted fewer threes and finished with a 42-32 edge in points in the paint while holding a 19-9 advantage in fast-break scoring.

Free-throw shooting remained a concern. North Carolina went 15 of 28 from the line, continuing an inconsistency that could loom larger in tighter games.

Veesaar stabilizes UNC

Still, Saturday provided something the Tar Heels had lacked during a stretch defined by lineup changes: steadiness.

“It’s super important,” Trimble said of Veesaar’s return. “Henri is a seven-foot point forward. He’s able to do so much. He brings height. He brings the physicality that we need. He’s just able to expand us on the offensive and defensive end so much.”

North Carolina improved to 21-6 and 9-5 in conference play, keeping pace in a crowded middle tier and regaining a measure of continuity ahead of a quick turnaround against Louisville. Veesaar had his left ankle wrapped with ice as he answered questions following the win, but said he would be ready to play against the Cardinals on Monday.

He knows how much this late stretch of ACC play matters.

“It’s a lot of momentum that we have to build up to get the best seat possible in the ACC., get the best seat possible for the tournament,” Veesaar said. “Then win the ACC tournament and make a good run.”

Those goals are long term. Veesaar’s focus Saturday was much simpler.

Before the game, Veesaar followed his usual routine at halfcourt — pressing the ball to his forehead, closing his eyes and speaking quietly to himself in a moment of prayer and reflection.

This time, he said, the message shifted.

“I’m just being grateful for everything that I’ve been given,” he said when asked what he thought about before the game. “Just being able to play and have that moment where I’m actually able to play today. That opportunity means a lot.”