ACC Basketball Five on Five: Breaking Down Virginia vs. North Carolina’s Starting Lineups

ACC Basketball Five on Five: Breaking Down Virginia vs. North Carolina’s Starting Lineups

Few matchups in the ACC stir up as much debate as Virginia vs. North Carolina. These programs may have different philosophies Tony Bennett’s pack-line precision against UNC’s free-flowing tempo but both carry expectations of competing near the top of the league.

This season, both squads enter with new-look lineups thanks to the transfer portal, international additions, and highly touted freshmen. While Virginia will rely on experienced transfers blended with Bennett’s system, North Carolina is retooling under Hubert Davis, who enters the season under real pressure. After narrowly sneaking into the NCAA Tournament in 2025 and missing it entirely in 2023, Davis can’t afford inconsistency. In Chapel Hill, the standard is crystal clear: winning, and winning often.

So how do these two revamped starting fives stack up position by position? Let’s go Five on Five.

Point Guard: Dallin Hall (Virginia, Gr.) vs. Kyan Evans (UNC, Jr.)

• Hall (BYU 2024-25): 10 GS, 24.6 MPG, 6.8 PPG, 4.2 APG, 40.2% FG, 35.3% 3PT
• Evans (Colorado State 2024-25): 36 GS, 28.2 MPG, 10.6 PPG, 3.1 APG, 47.1% FG, 44.6% 3PT

Hall brings steadiness, experience, and the ability to run a team. He’s unlikely to light up the scoreboard, but Virginia values control and efficiency more than flash. Expect Hall to be a steady hand until freshman Chance Mallory develops.

Evans, meanwhile, was one of the best shooters in the Mountain West last season, hitting nearly 45% from deep while running Colorado State’s offense. He may not be a high-volume scorer at UNC, but he gives the Heels much-needed spacing.

Advantage: Even

Shooting Guard: Jacari White (Virginia, Gr.) vs. Seth Trimble (UNC, Sr.)

• White (North Dakota State 2024-25): 29 GS, 30.9 MPG, 17.1 PPG, 45.2% FG, 39.8% 3PT
• Trimble (UNC 2024-25): 18 GS, 28.7 MPG, 11.6 PPG, 42.8% FG, 26.6% 3PT

Trimble is UNC’s lone returning starter, and his role will expand significantly. After playing behind RJ Davis, the athletic senior guard is ready for a breakout season. His ability to attack the rim, defend, and push tempo gives UNC a dynamic backcourt piece if he can improve his perimeter shooting.

White is a proven scorer from the mid-major ranks with legitimate range. He’ll bring toughness and instant offense, but against ACC competition, Trimble’s athleticism and upside are hard to bet against.

Advantage: North Carolina

Wing: Malik Thomas (Virginia, Gr.) vs. Luka Bogovac (UNC, Fr.)

• Thomas (San Francisco 2024-25): 34 GS, 31.8 MPG, 19.9 PPG, 44.4% FG, 39.4% 3PT
• Bogovac (SC Derby, Adriatic League 2024-25): 29 GP, 29.7 MPG, 14.9 PPG, 45.1% FG, 39.9% 3PT

This is one of the most intriguing battles. Bogovac, a 21-year-old freshman from Montenegro, brings professional experience and a reputation as a sharpshooter. He should adjust quickly, but ACC play is a different animal.

Thomas, on the other hand, is a proven high-level scorer who torched some of the WCC’s best. His ability to create his own shot makes him more reliable as an offensive engine. While UNC is banking on Bogovac’s upside, Virginia has the safer bet in Thomas.

Advantage: Virginia

Power Forward: Thijs de Ridder (Virginia, Fr.) vs. Caleb Wilson (UNC, Fr.)

• De Ridder (Bilbao Basket, Liga ACB 2024-25): 33 GP, 20.7 MPG, 9.3 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 50.2% FG, 39.1% 3PT
• Wilson (Holy Innocents HS, 2024-25): 5⭐ recruit, McDonald’s All-American, Georgia Gatorade Player of the Year

Wilson is the headliner here a five-star, top-10 recruit and one of the most versatile freshmen in the nation. At 6’9, his athleticism and defensive range are already elite. Offensively, he’ll need polish, but his ceiling is enormous.

De Ridder, meanwhile, has years of professional experience and is more refined offensively right now. He’s a stretch-four who can score inside and out. But Wilson’s raw talent and defensive impact make him the player more likely to swing a game.

Advantage: North Carolina

Center: Ugonna Onyenso (Virginia, Sr.) vs. Henri Veesaar (UNC, Jr.)

• Onyenso (Kansas State 2024-25): 11.1 MPG, 2.8 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 70.0% FG
• Veesaar (Arizona 2024-25): 20.8 MPG, 9.4 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 59.2% FG, 32.7% 3PT

Onyenso is a defensive anchor. At 7’0, his rim protection could make Virginia’s defense suffocating once again. But his offensive game is still a work in progress.

Veesaar, the Estonian junior, is more versatile offensively. He can stretch the floor and is comfortable operating in different lineups. His rebounding and physicality remain question marks, but he’s a starter-caliber big in the ACC.

Advantage: North Carolina

Final Takeaway

When comparing these two lineups, North Carolina has the edge in raw talent, thanks to Wilson, Trimble, and Veesaar. Virginia, though, counters with proven scoring from Thomas and the defensive reliability of Onyenso.

• Virginia’s X-Factor: Malik Thomas’ ability to become a go-to scorer in the ACC.
• UNC’s X-Factor: Caleb Wilson living up to his five-star billing immediately.

For now, North Carolina looks like the more balanced and higher-upside starting five. But if history has taught ACC fans anything, it’s this: underestimate Tony Bennett’s Cavaliers at your own risk.

Advantage: North Carolina