Tar Heels’ Depth Tested: Can Stevenson and Bogavac Build on Performance versus Radford
When news broke that Seth Trimble suffered a broken forearm in practice and would be sidelined for several weeks,the question quickly turned to who would fill the gap in the seniors absence. Some of those questions started developing answers on Tuesday night against Radford team that should be pretty good in their conference.
Just like fans had hoped, the next man up didn’t just fill the gap — he made a statement. A Chapel Hill native and Alabama transfer, 6-foot-10 Jarin Stevenson stepped into the spotlight against Radford and delivered in every way. He finished with 15 points and seven rebounds, was plus-24 on the floor, and went a career-high 10-for-12 from the free-throw line. To put that in perspective, during two seasons with Alabama, Stevenson had just four made free throws in five games and only reached six attempts on three occasions. Tonight, he wasn’t just a replacement,he was a force.
But now comes the real test. Stepping up once is one thing; sustaining it is another. Starting Friday night against NC Central, Stevenson will need to stack performances and show that he can be a reliable contributor game in and game out. The team needs him to bring this level of play consistently on both ends of the court and continue proving that he can help carry the rhythm Seth Trimble had established. Radford was a statement, but consistency is the currency in college basketball. Friday night will tell us if Stevenson can turn a breakout game into a breakout season.
Then there’s Luka Bogavac. Fans hoped the guard from Montenegro could make an impact, and against Radford, he delivered. Bogavac led the team in scoring with 19 points, tied for the team high with five assists, and didn’t commit a single turnover. He also produced one of the signature highlights of the night, flipping a lob over his head to Caleb Wilson for a dunk. Bogavac led all players with a +26 rating while on the court.
What sets Bogavac apart is his veteran patience and court awareness. Even when his shot wasn’t falling, he found ways to impact the game dissecting Radford’s zone, pushing the pace after defensive rebounds, and creating opportunities for his teammates. He’s proving that he’s more than just a scorer; he’s a playmaker who makes the team better when he’s on the floor.
With Trimble out, Bogavac is being asked to step up while he is getting comfortable playing for this program. Luka knows the importance of the next several games adapting to the college game while at the same time keeping UNC’s transition style humming. If he can maintain this level of play and see a few of those jump shots go through the net, the Tar Heels will not just survive without Trimble. They will become stronger.
