NCAA Basketball: UNC’s Caleb Wilson takes on Michigan State player

North Carolina Tar Heels men’s basketball freshman Caleb Wilson may have had the highlight of the night despite the team’s 74-58 loss to the Michigan State Spartans on Thursday night.

The two teams faced each other in the Fort Myers Tip-Off. From the start, Wilson had the crowd roaring.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club

Early in the first period, Wilson recovered a loose ball after the Spartans gave it away. He dribbled to the other side of the court and dove on Michigan State’s 6-foot-11 center, Carson Cooper.

Wilson’s dunk accounted for two of his 18 points in 33 minutes. He added two steals and seven rebounds.

The 6-foot-10 Atlanta native was the 2025 Gatorade Player of the Year in the state of Georgia and a Naismith Trophy semifinalist. He was also selected to play in the McDonald’s All-American Game and the Jordan Brand Classic before taking the field in Carolina Blue.

North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson, left, is fouled by Michigan State forward Jaxon Kohler, right, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, in Fort Myers, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)

AP COLLEGE BASKETBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: UCONN’S AZZI FUDD, KSU’S PJ HAGGERTY

In six of the team’s seven games this season, Wilson has had at least 15 points. He scored 18 goals in the team’s 85-70 win over St. Bonaventure on Tuesday.

In this game, however, belonged to No. 11 Michigan State. Jeremy Fears Jr. led the team with 19 points, seven assists and five rebounds. Cooper added 14 points and six rebounds. Cam Ward had 11 points in 16 minutes coming off the bench.

Michigan State guard Jeremy Fears Jr. battles against North Carolina during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, in Fort Myers, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PK Press Club APP

Michigan State remained undefeated with a 7-0 victory. No. 16 North Carolina fell to 6-1 on the year.