Basketball

Mar 12, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone during the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels are making all the stops in their pursuit of a frontcourt depth piece.

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Mar 18, 2026; Greenville, SC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Caleb Wilson (8) works on his left hand 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 considered one of the top overall players in this year’s class.

Mar 17, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone claps from the sideline during the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels received fantastic news on Thursday about one of its top portal acquisitions.

Mar 27, 2026; Sacramento, CA, USA; General view of a March Madness sign before a Sweet Sixteen game of the Sacramento Regional 2 of the women's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images

The NCAA Tournament is expanding to 76 teams, and the change could quietly benefit North Carolina during the early years of the Michael Malone era.

Apr 6, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone reacts in the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Here is where the Tar Heels are seeded in the latest bracket projections.

Mar 9, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone talks to guard Jamal Murray (27) during a break in the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Here is how each addition to the Tar Heels' backcourt fits in Michael Malone's system.

Mar 15, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone following a timeout in the fourth quarter against the Washington Wizards at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Here are three players who will have a major impact on the Tar Heels' fortunes next season.

Apr 3, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; View of the team logos in a hallway after the game between the Gonzaga Bulldogs and the North Carolina Tar Heels in the championship game of the 2017 NCAA Men's Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. North Carolina defeated Gonzaga 71-65. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

Winning is always the main goal, but here are a couple of areas the Tar Heels need to focus on in 2026.

North Carolina Tar Heels center Henri Veesaar (13) celebrates after scoring Thursday, March 19, 2026, during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament first round game against the VCU Rams at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina. VCU Rams won 82-78 in OT.

The Tar Heels have made major improvements across multiple areas that should yield a better product in 2026.

Mar 28, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone reacts in the second half against the Utah Jazz at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

UNC's overseas recruiting push continues, and Michael Malone may now have his sights set on another versatile frontcourt addition from Greece.

Mar 7, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Jarin Stevenson (15) is harassed by Duke Blue Devils fans as he attempts to inbound the ball during the second half at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Duke Blue Devils won 76-61. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images

Here is how the Tar Heels are viewed heading into next season.

Mar 24, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone gestures in the third quarter against the Chicago Bulls at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels are no longer in the race for a talented overseas center.

Mar 23, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone reacts during the third quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

The way the Tar Heels have been built this offseason makes much more sense when evaluating his track record.

Mar 10, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone gestures to his team during a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels' head coach has been at Chapel Hill for one month. Here are a few things he will provide for the team.

Mar 12, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels mascot Ramses holds onto the ESPN Camp Week ball during the second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

One player saw limited action last season, but his flashes of potential may set him up for a much larger role in Chapel Hill this year.

Here are the best players on the Tar Heels' 2026-27 roster.

Apr 6, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone during the third quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Despite countless efforts throughout the offseason, the Tar Heels were unable to attain one of the best players in the transfer portal.

This transfer has been gaining interest from the Tar Heels.

Based on what we know right now, without any additional data, here are the Tar Heels' strengths and weaknesses heading into next season.

Mar 12, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Here are how each transfer portal addition could perform in 2026 for the Tar Heels.

Apr 6, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone reacts towards referee Danielle Scott (87) in the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

North Carolina is still looking overseas for more frontcourt size—and another seven-footer may be next on the board.

The Tar Heels' assessment of success will be dependent on how far they go in the NCAA Tournament.

Mar 10, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies guard Neoklis Avdalas (17) shoots a three point basket against Wake Forest Demon Deacons forward Tre'von Spillers (25) during the first half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Avdalas is a part of UNC’s transfer portal class.

The Tar Heels' image and strategy have been revealed in several comments this offseason.

Serra's Maximo Adams (25) looks to coaches as he runs down the court during the first quarter of their first-round CIF-SS playoff game at Indio High School in Indio, Calif., Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024.

With North Carolina’s roster nearly set, the focus now shifts to how Michael Malone could piece together his first starting lineup in Chapel Hill.

Basketball

UNC Reportedly in Talks With SEC Portal Center

UNC Reportedly in Talks With SEC Portal Center

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