UNC Takes First Loss, Falls To Michigan State In Fort Myers

FORT MYERS, Fla. — The perfect start to the season is over for North Carolina after a six-game winning streak. The Tar Heels (6-1) took their first loss of the season to No. 11 Michigan State on Thursday, losing 74-58 inside Suncoast Credit Union Arena. UNC set a season low in points in the loss.

UNC took control of the game early and seemed to be in great position, as a Jarin Stevenson layup put the team ahead by seven at the 7:42 mark. But just moments later, Henri Veesaar picked up his second foul, and Hubert Davis sat him for the remainder of the half. His absence was felt, as the Spartans out-scored UNC 18-6 for the rest of the half and went into the locker room with a five-point lead.

The Tar Heels scored just 28 points in the first half, their season low for any half of basketball this season.

Michigan State distanced itself in a second half sequence that featured a Jeremy Fears 3-pointer and a Cameron Ward alley-oop layup finish that put the Spartans ahead by 10 with 6:26 to go. North Carolina never led in the second half, cutting the deficit no closer than three points.

UNC struggled shooting from the perimeter, making just 4-of-23 attempts from three-point range.

Caleb Wilson led the Tar Heels with 18 points and seven rebounds.

North Carolina will head to Lexington and face the No. 19 Kentucky Wildcats on Tuesday in Rupp Arena. The Tar Heels last faced Kentucky in Dec. 2023 in Atlanta, losing 87-83. UNC last played the Wildcats in Rupp Arena in 2014. North Carolina leads the all-time series, 25-18. The Wildcats are 5-2, with its two losses coming against Louisville and Michigan State. Denzel Aberdeen leads Kentucky with 14 points per game.