Basketball

Mar 18, 2026; Greenville, SC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis during a press conference ahead of the first round of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels season-long tendencies cannot occur on Thursday and moving forward.

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The Tar Heels will have their hands full against the Rams, who are capable of pushing North Carolina to the brink.

Dec 16, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; ETSU Buccaneers guard Brian Taylor (11) drives between North Carolina Tar Heels forward Caleb Wilson (8) and guard Derek Dixon (3) during the first half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels will not be at full strength in this year's tournament without Wilson, but the team's success has been predicated on its freshman talent.

Mar 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels center Henri Veesaar (13) celebrates with guard Seth Trimble (7) during the second half against the Clemson Tigers at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels' first-round matchup against the Rams will be challenging contest.

Mar 18, 2026; Greenville, SC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Caleb Wilson (8) during a practice session ahead of the first round of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Wilson is one of the best UNC freshmen of all time

Mar 18, 2026; Greenville, SC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Seth Trimble (7) during a practice session ahead of the first round of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

The advanced statistics say UNC's first-round matchup with VCU is closer than anyone wants to admit — here's what the numbers actually say about the upset watch.

Mar 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Derek Dixon (3) brings the ball up court against the Clemson Tigers during the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

One freshman's shooting surge could be the difference between a first-round exit and a deep tournament run for the Tar Heels.

The star freshman hasn't made a decision yet — but what he said on Wednesday was enough to get Carolina fans dreaming again.

The Tar Heels enter the 2026 NCAA tournament with a level of uncertainty after closing out the season with two consecutive losses.

Mar 26, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Luke Maye (32) reacts after a Tar Heel score against the Kentucky Wildcats in the second half during the finals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-Imagn Images

UNC has been on both sides of some of the most iconic moments in March Madness history

Mar 12, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Seth Trimble (7) on defense against Clemson Tigers guard Ace Buckner (21) during the first half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels will have their hands full against the Rams' three-headed offensive attack.

Mar 7, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis directs his team during the first half against the Duke Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels enter the NCAA tournament with a mixture of hope and uncertainty.

Feb 14, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis reacts in the first half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels enter the NCAA tournament with an extra chip on their shoulder without Caleb Wilson in the rotation.

Mar 12, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis reacts in the first half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels open their 2026 NCAA tournament against the Rams on Thursday night.

Mar 7, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Injured North Carolina Tar Heels foward Caleb Wilson jokes with teammates prior to a game against the Duke Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Duke Blue Devils won 76-61. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images

Wilson has been out since Feb.10 with two different injuries.

The Tar Heels will have their hands full against the Rams in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

Mar 12, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis in the huddle with his team during the first half against the Clemson Tigers at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Despite being a No. 6 seed, the Tar Heels are facing an immense amount of pressure heading into the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

Feb 23, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Seth Trimble (7) reacts after scoring in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

On March 6, 2026, North Carolina announced that star freshman forward Caleb Wilson.

Mar 12, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis with guard Kyan Evans (0) in the first half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels first-round matchup against the VCU Rams is no guarantee for North Carolina.

Mar 12, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels center Henri Veesaar (13) shoots in the second half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Here is your chance to join the 2026 SI Bracket Challenge and compete against SI experts.

North Carolina has dealt with adversity the entire season, and that will carry over into the NCAA Tournament.

Jan 3, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Kyan Evans (0) and center Henri Veesaar (13) and guard Derek Dixon (3) and forward Caleb Wilson (8) and guard Seth Trimble (7) come back on the court during the second half against the SMU Mustangs at Moody Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Without Caleb Wilson, North Carolina's success could be greatly impacted in the NCAA Tournament.

Dec 30, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis with guard Seth Trimble (7) and guard Derek Dixon (3) in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels closed out the season on a two-game losing streak entering March Madness.

Mar 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Seth Trimble (7) looks on during the second half against the Clemson Tigers at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

A look back at some of UNC’s impressive March Madness resume

The Tar Heels' seeding in the 2026 NCAA tournament has been officially revealed on Selection Sunday.

Basketball

North Carolina Must Avoid Early-Game Woes in NCAA Tournament

North Carolina Must Avoid Early-Game Woes in NCAA Tournament

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