University of North Carolina Athletics
Derek Dixon & Hubert Davis
Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati
UNC-Notre Dame Postgame Quotes
January 21, 2026 | Men's Basketball
POSTGAME QUOTES
UNC 91, NOTRE DAME 69
JANUARY 21, 2026
DEAN E. SMITH CENTER, CHAPEL HILL, N.C.
UNC 91, NOTRE DAME 69
JANUARY 21, 2026
DEAN E. SMITH CENTER, CHAPEL HILL, N.C.
UNC Head Coach Hubert Davis
On reflecting on the Cal game…
"The number one thing from last week was that there were multiple possessions where we were making mistakes in back-to-back possessions. We would turn the ball over, not get back on defense and give up a three. We would get to the free-throw line, miss two free throws, come back down and give an and-one. I felt like last week we were letting one play affect us on the other end of the play – and I talked to them about that. I said basketball is a game of mistakes. Next play, next possession…We didn't play well in California. Let's not dwell on that and talk about it and think about it for the rest of the year...I wanted to be positive with these guys, give them confidence to go out there and play. And they were able to do that tonight."
On repeatedly bringing a heightened level of competition…
"I encourage the team every time that we win to enjoy winning. It's very difficult to win in conference in the ACC, and so that should be celebrated. And then tomorrow, we'll start our preparation and practice for Virginia. This is the first ride with this group. We have 11 new players, we're going through this for the first time, and we're learning, we're growing, we're getting better."
On Caleb Wilson's leadership…
"One of the things that I encourage everyone is to be a leader within their own personality. Doesn't matter what classification you are. I don't care if you're a freshman, walk-on, senior, a starter or you don't get any minutes. I want guys to speak up. I want guys to be leaders. I've enjoyed Caleb being more vocal the last three days. I think it's really ignited our team. He has a personality that encourages guys. He's a great teammate. He lights up the room every time he steps in it. And so now that he's using his voice, it's really motivating guys in a good way."
UNC Guard Derek Dixon
On what's been unique for him starting the past two games…
"I think it's been a change. Coming in[to] the game, I'm a little more warm. [I] don't have those minutes on the bench and just trying to be a leader out there. Just got to use my voice, and that's been something I'm really trying to focus on."
On the teams flow in the second half…
"I think we just really focused on not letting up. Once we got the lead, [we] just didn't let up. We were just having a lot of fun out there moving the ball. The ball was moving. We were getting great shots, and we all had smiles on our faces and I think that really went a long way."
On his success with shooting today…
"I think I got some really good looks today. Caleb [Wilson] made some really good passes. I think we moved the ball really well. And when I get an open look, I'm gonna be confident that I'm gonna knock it down and I made a couple tonight."
UNC Forward Jarin Stevenson
On the impact of this win after the California trip…
"We had a tough trip down to California. I feel like we responded well with practice, getting in the gym and just bringing up the intensity…"
"This was an important game, a bounce-back game…so just getting back here, working on different things, giving all our effort and stuff like that is big, and getting our confidence back…"
On the late run in the second half of the Cal game…
"It shows heart. Shows that we are capable of being a good team and doing the right things, but we need to do that for the whole 40 minutes."
UNC Center Henri Veesaar
On getting shots to fall…
"I feel like we just took good ones [shots] this time. We're taking open ones, and then if you keep shooting, you take the right ones, you're gonna get rewarded for that. And I think we're playing hard in the first half, rebounding, playing good defense. So just being able to get stops and get going in transition is going to reward us with open shots, and then we're going to make them."
On the lessons learned from the California road trip…
"I mean, I just think everybody hated losing those two games, so it kind of created a sense of urgency where we needed to change. I think everybody was willing to give 100% effort in every practice that we had…so just doing that, I think, set us in perfect position to win this game."
On Derek Dixon's performance…
"I mean, I think last game he was like four for eight from three, I'm not 100% sure, but obviously this game, he was three for five, so he's shooting lights out. He's taking control of the game. He's not turning the ball over much. He's just running the offense, and we just need to move the ball, and when we get from side to side, we play great."
UNC Forward Caleb Wilson
On the California and SMU games…
"It just kind of exposed what we need to do better. And everybody's a competitor, so, you know, losing kind of brings out that edge and everybody so I feel like it was good for us to have it earlier this year than later."
On putting the game away early…
"It was definitely a conscious effort, but it's more about pride with us now. You can say whatever you want, but I hate the people that try to blame Coach Davis for our lapses. Our coach is teaching us the right things, all about our effort and us playing as hard as we can."
Players Mentioned
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