The season already is evolving for No. 18 North Carolina as it tries to get through the next stretch of games without one of its top players.
An off-court injury to swingman Seth Trimble forced a lineup adjustment this week. The Tar Heels (3-0) will see how that works out Friday when North Carolina Central (1-3) visits Chapel Hill, N.C.
Luka Bogavac made his first career start Tuesday night for the Tar Heels, who ran past Radford in an 89-74 victory.
“Luka has the ability to be able to score in many different ways,” North Carolina coach Hubert Davis said. “He’s a four-level scorer, whether it’s from 3, mid-range to the basket and also can get fouled and get to the free-throw line.”
The length of Trimble’s absence is uncertain after he had surgery for an arm injury.
The Tar Heels will play their fourth of five straight home outings to begin the season. At least four North Carolina players have scored in double figures in all three games.
North Carolina Central won its home opener Wednesday night by topping Bluefield State 77-61.
Despite not winning during the first week of the season, the Eagles received Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference recognition with Gage Lattimore named the Player of the Week and Khouri Carvey tabbed as the Defensive Player of the Week. Then Lattimore scored 38 points versus the Big Blues.
This will be NC Central’s third Atlantic Coast Conference opponent after losses to North Carolina State and Virginia.
“Eventually they just wear you down,” Eagles coach LeVelle Moton said.
Moton knows the Tar Heels will have advantages.
“We can’t simulate that size in practice,” he said.
With Bogavac moving into the North Carolina starting lineup, it gives the Tar Heels a chance to build depth with other players.
“We’re sad that Seth is not able to play right now, but it is a wonderful opportunity for a number of guys that will get extended minutes and help us with our depth,” Davis said.
Bogavac scored a season-high 19 points on Tuesday but said he wants a bigger impact on both ends of the court.
“I think I showed some good things, but I think I should and must play better defense,” Bogavac said.
Bogavac’s contributions aren’t surprising to his teammates.
“He has put the work in,” guard Kyan Evans said. “We all see it every day. We know he can make those shots.”
The Tar Heels should have enough firepower to navigate at least another week of the season before venturing away from Chapel Hill.
Evans said without Trimble’s on-court leadership, multiple players will have to accept larger roles in that area.
“I think we will miss him, but I think we have enough quality to continue working without him,” Bogavac said.
Freshman Caleb Wilson is coming off his first double-double after recording 13 points and 14 rebounds against Radford.
North Carolina’s offense has created various opportunities. The 49 free-throw attempts for the Tar Heels against Radford marked their most in a game in nearly 22 years, though their problem Tuesday night was that they made only 31 of those tosses.
