5:28PM: Foul on Veesaar. Lazar Djokovic makes both free throws5:27PM: Luka Bogavac makes 13-foot floating jumper (Trimble assists)5:26PM: Brandon Jennings makes 9-foot floating jumper 5:25PM: Henri Veesaar makes layup (Bogavac assists)UNC leads VCU 24-185:21PM: Official TV Timeout5:20PM: Kyan Evans Steal, Seth Trimble makes layup 5:19PM: Derek Dixon makes 26-foot three point jumper (Veesaar assists)5:18PM: Luka Bogavac makes 19-foot pullup jump shot5:17PM: Terrence Hill Jr makes 23-foot three point jumper (Tracey assists)Needed it @DerekDixon03 pic.twitter.com/flIPz7tlXY— Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) March 19, 20265:16PM: Derek Dixon makes 26-foot three point jumper (Trimble assists)"That left hand is legit."Nyk Lewis with the shifty move down the lane @VCU_Hoops pic.twitter.com/tBseBklcAG— CBS Sports College Basketball (@CBSSportsCBB) March 19, 20265:14PM: Nyk Lewis makes driving layup5:12PM: Seth Trimble makes both free throws following Belle foul. 5:10PM: Terrence Hill Jr makes 23-foot three point jumper (Belle assists)5:09PM: Zayden High makes 5-foot hook shot (Dixon assists)5:08PM: Zayden High makes layup5:07PM: Henri Veesaar makes 1-foot dunk5:06PM: Lazar Djokovic makes 14-foot floating jumper (Hill Jr assists)5:05PM: Jarin Stevenson makes a layup (Veesaar assists)VCU leads UNC 8-55:02PM: Official TV Timeout5:01PM: Barry Evans makes layup (Djokovic assists)5:00PM: Lazar Djokovic makes layup (Evans assists) 4:59PM: Lazar Djokovic makes driving layup4:57PM: Foul on Stevenson. Lazar Djokovic made both free throws4:55PM: Jarin Stevenson makes layup (Seth Trimble assists)4:53PM: Henri Veesaar makes two free throws4:52PM: UNC won the tipUNC vs VCU will begin shortly...UNC vs VCU starters pic.twitter.com/1hTIBT6NWg— Rodd Baxley (@RoddBaxley) March 19, 2026Proper send-off pic.twitter.com/mPVL8bwBZh— Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) March 19, 2026lock in. pic.twitter.com/hE6DRLZ3XJ— VCU Basketball (@VCU_Hoops) March 19, 2026Historically, North Carolina vs VCU would seem like it’s not completely compelling. However, this game should be anything but an automatic win for the ACC giant.North Carolina will be without star freshman Caleb Wilson who suffered a season ending thumb injury. The Tar Heels are 5-3 since losing Wilson and are 2-4 vs Tournament worthy teams over that same stretch. UNC head coach Hubert Davis said after Wilson’s injury, “our team will move forward”.VCU on the other hand is a story of contrast. Over the last 17 games the Rams are 16-1. Despite the seedings, VCU poses a threat to UNC in the first round. VCU has relied heavily on their defense in the last two months. Holding opponents to less than their expected averages.While UNC will need to rely on Henri Veesaar and Seth Trimble to pick up the slack for the loss of Wilson, VCU has Jadrian Tracey. Tracey was an Oregon transfer who advanced to the second round. Tracey has more Tournament experience than anyone else on the VCU roster.Both teams should come out with energy and intention. However, if VCU can keep UNC reasonable from possession to possession, this game could be close in the final minutes. In the first round, being close at the end is all a team can ask for. Just like High Point vs Wisconsin earlier today, you have a shot at the upset if you’re close late.