It’s been a wild ride for Hubert Davis since taking over at North Carolina in 2021. In just a few seasons, he’s experienced the full spectrum of college basketball — from the highs of a national championship run in his debut year to winning the ACC tournament in his third to the lows of missing the NCAA Tournament as the No. 1 preseason team and getting knocked out in the first round after starting a season ranked No. 9. Coach Davis has seen it all. Still, it seems like the road ahead isn’t getting any smoother…

According to an official update from the University of North Carolina, senior guard Seth Trimble suffered a broken bone in his left forearm during a team workout on Sunday afternoon. He is scheduled to undergo surgery later this week, and the exact timeline for his return will be determined once the procedure is complete.

It’s a huge blow for the Tar Heels, who were riding high after a statement win over Bill Self’s Kansas, led by projected NBA lottery pick Darryn Peterson. That victory wouldn’t have been possible without their captain, Seth Trimble, setting the tone on both ends of the floor. Now, with Trimble sidelined, Hubert Davis faces a tough challenge to find the right pieces to replace his leadership and impact. And that’s not going to be an easy task.

“So sad for Seth,” coach Hubert Davis said via ESPN. “He’s such a great kid and teammate, and has worked so hard for his senior year. He loves being a Tar Heel, and we love him. The good news is he will be back at some point this year, and I know he will continue to be a great leader for us until he can get back in the lineup.”

Fans were stunned when the news broke, and it didn’t take long for social media to fill with messages of support and encouragement for Seth Trimble.

Fans react to coach Hubert Davis losing his captain

“Can’t replace his defensive presence. So sad for him,” one fan said while another joined in to say,” That’s a huge loss. Hope it’s not for terribly long. Trimble sets the tone on defense for the Heels.” And they’re right!

Seth Trimble was the defensive heartbeat of this Tar Heels team. Against Kansas, he put up 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists. Not eye-popping numbers, sure, but his impact went far beyond the stat sheet. Using his explosive first step and relentless drives to the rim, Trimble kept the Jayhawks’ defense on edge and completely shifted the game’s momentum.

He also played a huge role in keeping Darryn Peterson in check, something even Bill Self couldn’t help but acknowledge.

“He blanketed Darryn in a way that, to me, was terrific,” Coach Self said via ESPN. “Caleb was the best player probably in the game. But you can make a strong case for Henri and for Seth too. The way that [Trimble] guarded Darryn and playing on top of everything, even though Darryn got off 14 shots, that was a situation that he probably needed to get off 20 or 22 [to win].” Coming from one of the most respected coaches in college basketball, that’s high praise. It only reinforces just how vital Trimble’s defense is to North Carolina and coach Davis’ success.

While there’s no official timeline for Seth Trimble’s return just yet, one fan might have found a glimmer of hope. They pointed out Trimble’s recent Instagram Story, which seemed to suggest a much shorter recovery than many feared. The fan wrote, “Choosing to stay positive because of this IG story from Seth himself that said ‘A FEW WEEKS.’ Please be true 🙏🏼.”

In the post, Trimble shared a photo with his teammates, captioned, “My bruddas got me while I’m down. I’ll see y’all in a few weeks.” While there’s growing optimism that he could be back by mid-January, nothing has been confirmed yet.

Another fan shared a hopeful opinion, saying, “Devastating news. Hopefully the other guards use this as an opportunity to step up and grow, and by the time Seth comes back (hopefully around mid-Jan 🤞), we’re a much better team. Best case scenario, obviously.”

To fill the void left by Seth Trimble, Hubert Davis could turn to recently cleared Montenegrin guard Luka Bogavac, who was only given the green light to play last Monday. Despite his late clearance, Bogavac has already made an impact off the bench in the team’s first two games, scoring 15 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists, and could now take on a bigger role. Additionally, West Virginia transfer Jonathan Powell is another name expected to see increased minutes as the Tar Heels adjust to life without their captain.

Lastly, one Tar Heel fan summed up the mood perfectly, saying, “I’m sure Rothstein and others will drop UNC out of the Top 25 immediately.” It’s a fair concern. The Tar Heels entered this season ranked No. 25 in the AP Preseason Poll, powered by the arrival of Caleb Wilson, a five-star freshman anchoring the No. 8 recruiting class in the nation — one of UNC’s best in recent years.

Add to that the return of Seth Trimble, plus key additions like 6-foot-6 European standout Luka Bogavac and 7-foot Arizona transfer Henri Veesaar, and coach Hubert Davis had built a team capable enough to silence the haters after last season’s drama-filled Selection Sunday, where many felt they were lucky to get a first-four slot.

Still, this No. 25 ranking was already UNC’s lowest since 2005, and with Trimble now sidelined, there’s a real chance they could slip out of the Top 25 altogether.