The Biggest Strengths and Weaknesses for UNC Basketball

On this episode of the Tar Heels Insider Podcast, beat writer Grant Chachere discusses what he thinks the biggest strengthes and weaknesses for North Carolina for the the upcoming 2025-26 basketball season. He also predicts how the Tar Heels will finish.

To hear Grant's comments, check out the video below. Also included is a partial transcript from Caleb Wilson's media availability following the Winston-Salem State basketball exhibition game.

On slow start…

We got to pick it up. We got to be some dogs be at Carolina playing soft. That's what the coach said to us, Coach Davis, and you know, we implemented it.

How about you? You had a really good game. How'd you feel out there?

UNC, Caleb Wilson — North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson dribbling the ball up the court with senior guard Seth Trimble behind him during the exhibition game vs. Winston-Salem State on Oct. 29, 2025. | Jackson McCurdy, North Carolina Tar Heels On SI

I felt good. I mean, I'm still a freshman. I'm still learning. So I got a stuff I got to pick up on to get better at. But I feel good. You know, 20 and 10 is my goal every game. So as long as I get that, I feel like I did somewhat All right.

On the turnovers…

A bit of a bit of underestimation. I feel like your opponent should determine your play. I feel like we didn't come out aggressive, like we were playing Kansas next week. No disrespect to Winston-Salem State. They had a great game. I just feel like we were underestimating our opponents. Once we picked it up, it was good for us.

On pulling away late…

UNC, UNC Basketball, Jarin Stevenson — North Carolina forward Jarin Stevenson attempting to defend a shot from Winston-Salem State forward Isaiah Staton-Ray; Oct. 29, 2025 | Jackson McCurdy, North Carolina Tar Heels On SI

Coach told us to just, you know, pick it up like we North Carolina, like we

can't. We can't have slow starts. We're going to get everybody's best shot no matter who we play. So just pick it up. Limit turnovers and make sure we crash the class.

On saying he was going to “dunk on dudes”...

UNC, UNC Basketball, Caleb Wilson — North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson loading up for a posterizing dunk over Winston-Salem State forward Abou Camara.; Oct. 29, 2025 | Jackson McCurdy, North Carolina Tar Heels On SI

You know, I just usually, when I'm about to duck with somebody, I look them in their face, they make decision to jump. That's on them.

Yeah, I was about to dunk it the first time. That's only even lost it, and I was about to just try to power it up through but, you know, they got a piece of it on my own, I'm not really sure, but once I got it back, I knew it was time to finish.

How was it like playing out here the first time in the Dean Dome here?

UNC, UNC Basketball — North Carolina center Henri Veesaar; Oct. 29, 2025 | Jackson McCurdy, North Carolina Tar Heels On SI

It was great, and it was a great experience. Was a lot of fun. You know, I've driven distance since I was a kid, so just being able to play at this high level and, you know, actually perform well, it's just a blessing. It starts for real on Monday.

Please make sure you follow us today on our Facebook page when you click right HERE!

Please follow us on X when you click right HE