All Tar Heels

Hubert Davis Shares Insights After UNC's Major Win Over Kansas

Coach Hubert Davis shares compelling insights after North Carolina Tar Heels’ major win over Kansas Jayhawks — what clicked, why it matters and what’s next.
Nov 7, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA;  North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis reacts in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center.
Nov 7, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis reacts in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Head coach Hubert Davis addressed the media after No. 25 North Carolina's 87-74 win over No.19 Kansas.

North Carolina (2-0) snapped a five-game losing streak against Kansas (1-1) with Friday night's win, a stretch that included a loss to the Jayhawks in the 2022 national championship game. The Tar Heels last defeated Kansas on Nov. 27, 2002, when UNC beat a Roy Williams-coached Jayhawks team—the eventual national runner-up—67-56 in New York.

A video of the entire press conference is down below along with a partial transcript.

On the second half adjustments…

UNC
Nov 7, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Tre White (3) shoots as North Carolina Tar Heels center Henri Veesaar (13) and forward Caleb Wilson (8) defend in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

But they weren't doing it, yeah, the first half, you know, from an offensive standpoint, I think it was two things. One, who returned the ball over, they had 10 turnovers, and I think they had 17 points off those turnovers. So it was almost like pick sixes for us. 

And then our offense, we were, you know, one of the things that we talk about is point five mentality. And you catch the ball, you just shoot it, you pass it or drive it. Ball movement, player movement, chain sides of the floor. That's not what we were doing in the first half, lot of standing, lot of holding, lot of dribbling. 

And against a team like Kansas with their lift and their athleticism, they were switching everything, whether it was on the ball or off the ball, it just, it just wasn't good offense for us. And so in the second half was the exact opposite. We always change sides of the floor. We had great, you know, ball and player movement that allowed us to find lanes to be able to attack the basket.

On Caleb Wilson's connection with the fans...

UN
Nov 7, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Caleb Wilson (8) with the the ball as Kansas Jayhawks guard Jamari McDowell (11) defends in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

“He’s played less than two games, and already the whole crowd is cheering his every move. Is there something he does to connect with people beyond just being a great basketball player? Absolutely. He truly connects with people. When he steps onto the court, his talent is obvious, but when he enters a room, you can immediately feel his personality.

His presence lights up a room the moment he walks in. Of course, he’s incredibly gifted as a basketball player, but he’s also such a genuine and kind person. He was inviting people to the game at the Pit this afternoon, and we had a whiteout because Caleb went on social media and said, ‘I want a whiteout.’ It’s the first whiteout I’ve had in 14 years.

Here we have a freshman declaring we’re having a whiteout, and suddenly 22,000 people show up wearing white. I honestly believe if he ran for student body president, he would win—and he’s only been here three months.”

To follow us on Twitter, CLICK HERE! Also, follow our Facebook page!


Published
Grant Chachere
GRANT CHACHERE

Grant Chachere holds a B.A. in Mass Communication from Louisiana State University and has a passion for college sports. He has served as a reporter and beat writer for various outlets, including Crescent City Sports and TigerBait.com. Now, he brings that passion and experience to his role as the North Carolina Tar Heels beat reporter On SI.

Share on XFollow ChachereGrant