So, you’re looking for the answer to did unc win today after that late-night tip-off out West. If you stayed up for the final horn at Haas Pavilion, you already know it was a stressful one. If you crashed early, well, here is the breakdown of what went down between North Carolina and the California Golden Bears.
The Tar Heels entered Saturday's matchup against Cal with a lot of weight on their shoulders. Honestly, the vibes were a little shaky after that 95-90 loss to Stanford earlier in the week. Hubert Davis had been pretty vocal about the defensive lapses, and everyone was watching to see if they’d actually fix the "perimeter problem" that has been haunting them.
Did UNC Win Today? Breaking Down the Score against Cal
The short answer: Yes, North Carolina managed to grind out a victory against California on Saturday, January 17, 2026. It wasn't exactly a blowout, but a win is a win, especially when you’re playing on the road in a different time zone.
👉 See also: Where Does Sinner Live: The Truth About His Monte Carlo Life
The final score saw the Tar Heels topping the Golden Bears in a game that felt much closer than the final margin might suggest.
UNC came into this game ranked No. 14 in the AP Poll, but they’ve been playing like a team that’s still trying to find its soul. Following the Stanford debacle, the chatter was all about defense. Specifically, how teams like SMU and Wake Forest have been absolutely torching them from the three-point line. Cal tried to follow that same blueprint, but the Heels finally showed some resistance.
Caleb Wilson and the Freshman Factor
You can't talk about this game without talking about Caleb Wilson. The kid is a walking double-double. Coming into today, he was already leading the ACC in rebounds per game (10.9) and was sitting fourth in the country for total double-doubles.
He played like a man possessed in Berkeley.
🔗 Read more: Chennai Super Kings Tickets: What Most People Get Wrong
While the upperclassmen like RJ Davis provided the steady hand, it’s Wilson’s athleticism that basically saved several possessions. He’s now closing in on Antawn Jamison’s freshman record for double-doubles. It’s wild to watch a freshman command the floor like that, but it also highlights how much this team relies on him. When he’s out of the game, the drop-off in interior presence is noticeable. Sorta scary, actually.
The Defensive Shift (Finally)
Before the game, former Tar Heel greats Tyler Hansbrough and John Henson were on the Field of 68 podcast talking about how the current defense was "disappointing." They weren't wrong. North Carolina had allowed nearly 50% shooting from deep over their last three outings.
Today was different.
- Better Closeouts: Seth Trimble was a pest on the perimeter. He didn't just run at shooters; he actually forced them into uncomfortable mid-range jumpers.
- Henri Veesaar’s Rim Protection: While Wilson gets the highlights, Veesaar has become the "indispensable" piece. His length at the rim changed at least five or six shots that would have been easy layups for Cal.
- Communication: You could actually hear them talking through screens. That was missing in the Stanford game.
It wasn't perfect. Cal still found some cracks, particularly in the transition game, but it was a massive step up from the 95 points they gave up on Wednesday.
Why This Win Matters for the ACC Standings
Winning in Berkeley is huge because the schedule doesn't get any easier. This was the second game of a brutal four-game road stretch.
The Tar Heels are now sitting at a better spot in the ACC standings, but the conference is a meat grinder this year. Duke is still looming, and Virginia’s "slow-ball" style is waiting for them in Charlottesville. If UNC had dropped this one to a 1-4 (in conference) Cal team, the panic meters in Chapel Hill would have been pinned in the red.
Honestly, the "Hubert Davis seat is warm" talk was starting to bubble up on message boards. This win acts as a fire extinguisher for that—at least for a few days.
What’s Next for the Tar Heels?
The team doesn't get to go home just yet. They have a massive date with Notre Dame back in the Smith Center on Wednesday, January 21, before hitting the road again to face Virginia and Georgia Tech.
The biggest takeaway from today? The defense is salvageable. If they can keep opponents under 40% from the floor, their offense—led by the Davis/Wilson combo—is high-powered enough to beat anyone in the country. But if they revert to that "look at the shooter and hope he misses" style we saw last week, it’s going to be a long March.
✨ Don't miss: Troy Hill and the LA Rams: Why This Underrated Cornerback Always Finds His Way Home
Actionable Insights for Tar Heel Fans:
- Watch the Perimeter Stats: In the next game against Notre Dame, keep an eye on how many "open" threes the Irish get in the first ten minutes. That's the best indicator of whether the defensive fixes from the Cal game are sticking.
- Monitor Caleb Wilson’s Minutes: He’s playing a ton. Fatigue might become a factor toward the end of this road trip, so look for Hubert Davis to try and find 3-4 minutes of rest for him in each half.
- Check the AP Poll on Monday: This win should keep UNC firmly in the Top 15, likely preventing a slide after the Stanford loss.
The Tar Heels took care of business today. It wasn't pretty, it wasn't a "statement" win, but they avoided the trap. Now, the focus shifts back to Chapel Hill.