It doesn't matter how pretty a game is, just if your team wins. The North Carolina Tar Heels played two different halves of basketball against Wyoming on Tuesday night, with their second half showcasing the potential for how good this season can be.
UNC overcame another poor rebounding performance, shot the basketball well and beat the Cowboys, 76-63, to remain undefeated.
Wyoming (2-1) trailed by just two points at halftime, thanks to their sizable advantage in the offensive rebounding department. The noticeably-shorter Cowboys won the rebounding battle, 43-37, with nine more on the offensive glass.
Michael Malone ripped into his guys at halftime, which worked in the final 20 minutes. North Carolina boxed out much better and limited second-chance
points. The Tar Heels shot 50 percent as a team, with four players in double-figures. UNC's defense, anchored by Sayon Keita in his best performance, held Wyoming to a 36% mark overall and 26% from 3-point land.
North Carolina has kinks to work out, but that goes for any new team. The Tar Heels have a deeper squad, which Malone raved about after their preseason opener vs. USC. Terrence Brown and Isaiah Denis scored 14 apiece on Tuesday night, while Keita and Maximo Adams each recorded 13 points. Matt Able added 11, giving UNC five guys in double-figures. Would the 2025-26 squad be able to do that?
Celebrate the win, but realize a much-tougher Georgia Bulldogs team comes to Chapel Hill on Friday night. Take a look at social media reactions from Tuesday's big victory.
The best combination!
Heels win. Blue devils lose. Can’t ask for much more on a Tuesday night.
— UNC Barstool (@UNCBarstool) November 11, 2026
Did dook win?
— Countesses of UNC (@CountessesofUNC) November 11, 2026
Thought many people said they were going undefeated?? 🤔
Scheyer: great coach, never had a player like JBB, Pat Ngongba best player in America, Blackwell and Foster best guards in America
— NonStopCarolina🐏 (@NonStopCarolina) November 11, 2026
1 loss already
Malone: washed, never coached college, roster full of scrubs, teams sucks
3-0 #GDTBATH #GTHD pic.twitter.com/X0EHKxIslc
— ♛Young Simba♛ (A Leaky Black Stan Account) (@CrownedPrinceHC) November 11, 2026
https://t.co/g7jWbQ74nm pic.twitter.com/YRE0SznFAa
— NonStopCarolina🐏 (@NonStopCarolina) November 11, 2026
Sayon Keita is HIM!
SAYON KEITA IS A DEFENSIVE ANCHOR ⚓️
— Recruits News (@recruitsnews) November 11, 2026
13 PTS
8 REB
3 STL
6 BLK
6-9 FG
DAWG. pic.twitter.com/UHLu7ugbQX
NO SURPRISE WHO GOT IT TONIGHT!!! 😤
— Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) November 11, 2026
Sayon Keita is your #DefensivePlayerOfTheGame. pic.twitter.com/KdHOSf0NDK
I would love to know what Mike Malone said to Keita at halftime
— UNC Barstool (@UNCBarstool) November 11, 2026
Keita > JBB pic.twitter.com/JA3bfyOtF4
— HubertsBurner (@UNCballTalk) November 11, 2026
You have my attention pic.twitter.com/d02bXKdSeu
— Matt (@sixringsofsteeI) November 11, 2026
Another all-timer quote from Michael Malone
Michael Malone: “I challenged our manhood at halftime… the streets talk. And right now the streets are talking.”
— Michael Koh (@michaelkohwchl) November 11, 2026
Postgame takeaways
1) Buy Keita stock now
— Duke (@HeelCalledDuke) November 11, 2026
2) Malone can freaking coach
3) Lot to improve but they will improve
Once we move Jarin to the 3 and realize he’s not physical enough to be a 4 this team will take off. Regardless it was a great win. This team is super fun and Maximo Adams is a beast. Always a great day to be a Tar Heel but even better when they win.
— William McCallister (@WilliamMcCall_) November 11, 2026
Maximo Adams...the starter?
Maximo Adams in his bag......need a couple buckets and a massive dunk....cool 8pts wit a nasty slam! You need rebounds...I got 7 for ya including 2 off! How bout a block...cool, an assist...alright....a stl dont mind if I do! 2 3s....got ya! Not to mention his none stop motor! pic.twitter.com/EDOHDuzTF6
— My Name is Mario & I am a Tar Heel (@Briccyardlilyo) November 11, 2026
Asked Michael Malone if he considered putting Adams in the starting 5. Gave no indication a change is coming.
— Michael Koh (@michaelkohwchl) November 11, 2026
"Maxi right now off the bench is perfect for us."
Rebounding woes have to be fixed.
being out-rebounded every night is gunna take some getting used to. 😮💨
— Vαℓαrie ♛ (@LeeenaBellle87) November 11, 2026
This rebound problem is going to kill our ceiling down the stretch
— Roys Off The Rocker (@Roysrocker) November 11, 2026
Guys aren't going to score 10 points every night
I will never understand the Neo signing. Guy doesn’t score.
— Mat (@raylanfoster) November 11, 2026
This is the really bad Neo VT fans talked about when he transferred. He’s just taking up space .
— Tyler (@theGibbster3000) November 11, 2026
Michael Malone...straight shooter!
One thing we’ve learned so far about Michael Malone: he is not going to shy away from giving you his real thoughts about his team in the postgame presser. He keeps it real, good or bad. We’ll see how this team responds to it throughout the season.
— Anthony Pagnotta (Flounder) (@HTBAnthony) November 11, 2026
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: How social media reacted to UNC pulling away from Wyoming on Tuesday
