Unseen Hero Emerges: Hubert Davis Reveals UNC’s Secret Weapon in Stunning St. Bonaventure Victory

In the midst of UNC’s commanding 85-70 victory over St. Bonaventure at the Fort Myers Tip-Off, a quietly pivotal performance slipped under many radars. While Henri Veesaar and Caleb Wilson dominated the headlines, bulldozing the undefeated Bonnies with their frontcourt prowess, it was freshman guard Derek Dixon who, in his unassuming yet crucial minutes, helped steady the Tar Heels’ ship exactly when it threatened to falter. His steady hand—scoring, clutch decision-making, and timely defense—came roaring to life just when the Carolina lead was tested, proving invaluable as North Carolina holds an unblemished 6-0 record heading into a tougher stretch. UNC coach Hubert Davis himself acknowledged this under-the-radar effort, lauding Dixon’s confidence and composure in moments that could’ve swung the game either way. This glimpse of promise from the 6-foot-5 rookie hints at a developing story worth watching as the season unfolds. LEARN MORE

There was an underrated performance in UNC basketball’s 85-70 win against St. Bonaventure, the Tar Heels’ opening game of the Fort Myers Tip-Off event in Florida.

Henri Veesaar and Caleb Wilson secured the headlines for the 16th-ranked Tar Heels (6-0) by barreling through the previously unbeaten Bonnies (5-1) with star showings in the spotlight, strengthening their case as one of the top frontcourts in the nation.

“Henri, he just keeps getting career highs. … Caleb was fantastic. I do want to mention somebody who I thought really won us the game,” UNC coach Hubert Davis said in an interview with play-by-play announcer Jones Angell on the Tar Heel Sports Network.

That player was freshman guard Derek Dixon, who had a modest stat line and a major influence on getting the Tar Heels to the finish line against St. Bonaventure inside Suncoast Credit Union Arena.

Dixon had seven points, including two free throws, two assists, two fouls, a rebound and a turnover in nine minutes off the bench for UNC. But it was a stormy start in the Sunshine State for the 6-foot-5 freshman, who entered the game in the first half with UNC up 19-10. When he subbed out, the game was tied at 28.

But when starting point guard Kyan Evans picked up his fourth foul nearly seven minutes into the second half, Davis went back to Dixon.

With UNC up 13 at that point, Dixon scored five points in a two-minute stretch to keep the Bonnies at bay. He snagged a defensive rebound with St. Bonaventure down 10 and buried a 3-pointer from the wing on the ensuing possession to push the lead back to 13. The lead eventually swelled to 20 after Dixon found Veesaar for an easy bucket with just under eight minutes left.

“It could go either way at that point,” Davis said of Dixon entering the game early in the second half. “We were up, but they made a run in the first half. Derek settled us. I mean, his decision making, his scoring, he hit a big 3, he played huge minutes. To have that type of production off the bench, that’s pretty big.”

DIXON’S JOURNEY: Derek Dixon has been ‘incredible’ for UNC basketball in practice. Is he underrated?

Following a shaky first half, Dixon told Adam Lucas of the Tar Heel Sports Network that he “wasn’t thinking as much” after halftime.

“Just be confident. I trusted in myself,” Dixon said. “Didn’t have the best first half, but just be confident and just play like myself. Don’t worry about making mistakes and just live with the result.”

Allowing his instincts to take over, Dixon settled in like it was just any other day on the court.

“That’s definitely the next progression for me, getting that way all the time, just trusting in and not worrying about making mistakes or anything like that. Just being confident and not thinking about it,” Dixon said.

The freshman succeeded in that mission, staying ready for his name to be called and completing an underrated effort that could prove big for Dixon’s confidence as the games get bigger, starting Thanksgiving Day against No. 11 Michigan State (6-0).

“It’s a lot playing the point guard position,” Davis said. “… It’s hard and it’s difficult, and he’s handled it really well. His play in the second half, I think, really won us the game.”

Rodd Baxley covers North Carolina Tar Heels athletics for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding UNC? Send them to [email protected].

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Derek Dixon played key role in UNC basketball win vs St Bonaventure