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Take a look at two aspects of gameplan that can win into tonight's game.

Take a look at two aspects of gameplan that can win into tonight's game.

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Jan 17, 2026; Berkeley, California, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis during the second half against the California Golden Bears at Haas Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels are entering a pivotal point in their season.

5-star guard Dylan Mingo delayed his decision; here is why it may help UNC.

Jan 17, 2026; Berkeley, California, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis during the first half against the California Golden Bears at Haas Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels have been underwhelming the last month of the season, specifically since the start of conference play.

Jan 17, 2026; Berkeley, California, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Jaydon Young (4) celebrates with guard Derek Dixon (3) during the second half against the California Golden Bears at Haas Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels will aim to bounce back after two disappointing losses.

Jan 17, 2026; Berkeley, California, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels center Henri Veesaar (13) and forward Caleb Wilson (8) slap hands during the second half against the California Golden Bears at Haas Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels are entering their next assignment on a two-game losing streak.

Jan 14, 2026; Stanford, California, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis looks on against the Stanford Cardinal in the first half at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images

Hubert Davis and the Tar Heels continue to make a push for one of the top prospects in the 2026 class.

Dec 5, 2023; New York, New York, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels former head coach Roy Williams watches from the stands during halftime against the Connecticut Huskies at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Williams coached the Tar Heels in the Smith Center from 2003-2021

This is a big week for North Carolina basketball.

Jan 17, 2026; Berkeley, California, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Caleb Wilson (8) blocks out California Golden Bears guard Nolan Dorsey (21) during the second half at Haas Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

North Carolina suffered two devastating results this past week.

Jan 17, 2026; Berkeley, California, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels assistant coach Brad Frederick (left) and head coach Hubert Davis (right) talk during the first half against the California Golden Bears at Haas Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels' depth has been challenged last few games.

Jan 17, 2026; Berkeley, California, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis talks to media members after the game against the California Golden Bears at Haas Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels find themselves at a pivotal crossroads in the season following a challenging West Coast road trip

Take a look at who could give UNC problems from Notre Dame.

Jan 17, 2026; Berkeley, California, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Jaydon Young (4) celebrates with guard Derek Dixon (3) during the second half against the California Golden Bears at Haas Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Saturday was another disappointing out for the Tar Heels.

Jan 17, 2026; Berkeley, California, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis talks to media members after the game against the California Golden Bears at Haas Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels have lost three of four games since the start of conference play.

Jan 17, 2026; Berkeley, California, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Jaydon Young (4) reacts during the second half against the California Golden Bears at Haas Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

UNC went 0-2 last week.

UNC star is not used in second half once again

Jan 17, 2026; Berkeley, California, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis (right) talks with guard Seth Trimble (7) during the first half against the California Golden Bears at Haas Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels have had a rough four-game stretch and have struggled in ACC play.

Jan 17, 2026; Berkeley, California, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Caleb Wilson (8) reacts after being called for a foul against California Golden Bears guard Justin Pippen (on ground left) during the second half at Haas Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Here is what the Tar Heels' head coach said following the loss to California.

Nov 18, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis talks to guard Kyan Evans (0) during the second half against the Navy Midshipmen at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

Hubert Davis and the Tar Heels will have to wait a little longer for one of their top targets in the 2027 class to make a decision.

UNC has a guard problem, but someone has to step up.

Jan 17, 2026; Berkeley, California, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Seth Trimble (7) dribbles against California Golden Bears center Milos Ilic (8) during the first half at Haas Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels' recent stretch has been extremely concerning.

Jan 17, 2026; Berkeley, California, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Derek Dixon (3) passes against California Golden Bears guard Justin Pippen (right) during the first half at Haas Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels suffered their second consecutive loss on Saturday against the California Golden Bears.

Jan 17, 2026; Berkeley, California, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Derek Dixon (3) dribbles against California Golden Bears guard Justin Pippen (left) during the first half at Haas Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Dixon earned the start in UNC’s 84-78 loss to Cal

Here are three takeaways from UNC’s second straight loss.