Seth Trimble's unseen impact in UNC men's basketball's win over Michigan State

CHARLOTTE — Seth Trimble is 6-foot-3.

He’s 195 pounds. Not short, but by basketball standards, nowhere near tall. In a game that is being increasingly defined by pure size (think Zach Edey or DJ Burns) and small guards who can shoot the lights out from the arc (RJ Davis or Tyson Walker), Trimble is an anomaly. 

The sophomore guard averages only 5.1 points per game, despite being the de facto sixth-man on the UNC squad. Rebounds? Even less, coming in at just 2.2. The numbers don’t seem to matter for Trimble, though. After most games, his teammates list him as one of the deciding factors.

And on Saturday night, in the second round of March Madness against Michigan State? 

“He saved us,” junior forward Harrison Ingram said. 

UNC won 85-69. A big part of the victory was due to Trimble’s defensive efforts. The whole game, head coach Hubert Davis had him guarding the best shooter on the court — Walker — while he was playing. That’s not a new order. It’s been Trimble’s established role throughout the season, and one that he has excelled in. 

Case in point: It’s the second half. The clock read 13:22 and MSU had cut UNC’s lead to seven. The Spartans had the ball.

It was in the hands of forward Jaxson Kohler, who towers over Trimble at 6-foot-9-inches and 245 pounds. He was lurking under the basket, and had leaped into the air to lay the ball up. Trimble had no fear. No hesitation. He jumped up — almost impossibly high — and smacked the ball right out of Kohler’s hands. 

Bam. 

Seth Trimble is not from here 😱 @sethtrimble1 pic.twitter.com/hEYSD8G0gV

— Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) March 23, 2024

Trimble got the ball back, dribbling it to the top of the arc and hesitating for a moment, clearly thinking about shooting. Instead, he dismissed the idea and lobbed the ball to Armando Bacot. A few passes later, and the ball was stolen from Davis. MSU’s Tyson Walker took it down the court, gearing up for another easy lay to cut the lead to five. But again, Trimble was there waiting. 

This time he didn't get a hand on the ball, but his presence and uplifted arm was enough. The shot never found the net. 

Fast forward a minute. Each team had made a few more baskets, and the score was 55-51, UNC. Graduate guard Cormac Ryan had just airballed a wide-open 3-point attempt in the corner. The momentum was not with the Tar Heels. On the next possession, MSU’s A.J. Hoggard found the ball under the net. And like clockwork, there was Trimble, right with him. Yet again, he out-jumped the 6-foot-4 Hoggard, getting a firm palm on the rock and knocking it away, completely halting the Spartan push. 

“I was like ‘Thank God,'" Davis said. 

From that point on, it was smooth sailing for North Carolina.

“Being a defensive presence is definitely part of my game,” Trimble said. “And I just take the most pride I can in it every single game.” 

Despite his small stature, he’s tough and can stand up to almost any player he guards — as evidenced by his multiple blocks over the night. 

“He’s a strong 200 pounds,” Ingram said. “He should be playing football in my opinion.”

He’s not though. He’s playing basketball, and he’s playing it well. But still, even with his defensive prowess in mind, there’s one element of his game that is noticeably absent — offensive production. 

Over the course of the season, Trimble has consistently passed up wide open looks in favor of giving the ball to his teammates. Sure, coach Davis’ motto of the year has been “good to great shots” but at some point, Trimble just has to go for it.

Even against MSU, there were a few instances where he hasn't taken an open look that could have benefitted the team. It’s something that coach Davis has noticed too. 

“He’s always on me, HD, he’s the only coach who will tell me to do more,” Trimble said. “I mean, he’s right.” 

Trimble knows he needs to start shooting. He averaged over 20 points per game in high school. Over the summer, he worked with assistant coach Jeff Lebo on improving his shot daily. It’s in his bag. 

He’s just scared to pull it out. 

The confidence isn’t quite there yet. He’s working on it though. His teammates support him, his coach supports him and his brother — former UNC small forward JP Tokoto — supports him. 

“The biggest thing I think my brother helps me on is just the mental side,” Trimble said. “I don’t think people realize how big the mental game is in the sport, so he’s always on my side with that.” 

It's all there. Now, the only thing left for Trimble to do is put the pieces together. And, with the Sweet 16 fast approaching, there’s no better time for him to do so then now. It could be the key to North Carolina’s success down the line. 

And there’s one person who’s more than willing to give Trimble that final push — his mom, Laurence. She knows exactly what she’s going to say to her son when she sees him. 

“Take your freaking shot!”

@peacegwen 

@dthsports | sports@dailytarheel.com

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