NCAAB News: Seth Trimble makes something clear after Tar Heels win vs San Diego State

The North Carolina Tar Heels kicked off their NCAA Tournament run on the right foot after defeating San Diego State. UNC’s arrival at this stage was surrounded by controversy following the selection committee’s decision, but this is something that Seth Trimble couldn’t care less about.

After the game, in which the Tar Heels defeated their opponent 95-68, the talented shooting guard spoke to the press and made it clear that his team doesn’t have to prove anything to anyone at this stage.

“We know we deserved to be here,” Trimble said, per InsideCarolina.com’s Jeremiah Holloway. “We’re not looking to send a message to anybody else. We’re just looking to compete as a team and be the team that we know that we’re capable of being. I think we did that tonight. We’ll go through that when we get to Milwaukee and go from there. We hear what people say. We don’t really care. It is what it is. We’re focused on us.”

Coming off the bench, Trimble provided a significant contribution to his team’s offense in his 27 minutes of play, scoring a total of 16 points. It is expected that his performance in the next game will be equal to or even better, as the team looks to achieve great things in this tournament.

The North Carolina Tar Heels celebrate after a three point shot during the second half in the First Four game of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at University of Dayton Arena on March 18, 2025 in Dayton, Ohio.

The keys to victory according to RJ Davis

RJ Davis was one of the standout players for UNC, leading the way with 26 points and shooting a perfect 6-of-6 from beyond the arc, pacing the team on a night in which they made 14 three-pointers, marking a new program NCAA Tournament record.

In a post-game interview with the press, the talented player made it clear, according to his perspective, what the main keys were to securing the victory.

“I think we did a good job of sticking to our game plan and playing Carolina basketball. We got out in transition, we shared the ball, and that’s what got us going. We shared the ball, everyone contributed in so many ways. And I just think our defense really set the tone for the remainder of the game, the way we was able to get into passing lanes and help guys were there and defensive rebounding was key for us. That allowed us to get easier looks.

“Elliot was phenomenal today. He had 12 assists, and he was able to find guys with pitch-aheads. Seth was amazing attacking the rim. Little things like that allowed us to go into a run,” he stated.

RJ Davis #4 of the North Carolina Tar Heels looks on during the game against the Elon Phoenix at the Dean E. Smith Center on November 04, 2024

What’s next for the Tar Heels?

After the solid victory against San Diego State, showcasing a great performance on the court, Hubert Ira Davis Jr.’s team will face the Ole Miss Rebels. The game will be played next Friday in Milwaukee at 4:05 p.m. ET.