UNC Has 2 Ominous Concerns Entering March

Tar Heels must address glaring pitfalls to avoid early exit in NCAA tournament.

Feb 21, 2026; Syracuse, New York, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis reacts during the second half against the Syracuse Orange at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images | Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

At this point in the season, teams are who they are, including good and bad tendencies that they have developed since the first game of the 2025 college basketball season. The North Carolina Tar Heels are an example of an imperfect team that need to address multiple blemishes as the NCAA tournament steadily approaches.

With March right around the corner, and only a few games left in the regular season, let's analyze a couple of worrisome concerns that have presented themselves over the last two weeks with the Tar Heels.

Slow Starts

Feb 23, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Seth Trimble (7) is fouled byLouisville Cardinals guard Mikel Brown Jr. (0) in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

This has been a re-occurring issue for North Carolina since the beginning of the season, but it seemed to be a thing of the past, but those problems have presented themselves in the last few games. 

Against North Carolina State - without Caleb Wilson and Henri Veesaar - the Tar Heels instantly faced a double-digit deficit eight minutes into the game en route to a 24-point loss.

Feb 21, 2026; Syracuse, New York, USA; Syracuse Orange forward William Kyle III (42) dribbles against North Carolina Tar Heels center Henri Veesaar (13) during the second half at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images | Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

North Carolina followed that up against a lesser opponent in Syracuse, falling behind 8-2 in the opening minutes of the game. The Tar Heels were able to manage and ultimately win 77-64, but that was something to monitor heading into Monday night's heavyweight battle against Louisville. For the second time in three games, North Carolina faced a double-digit deficit in the first half, as they trailed 23-13 against the Cardinals in the opening 10 minutes of the game. Luckily, Seth Trimble was unstoppable that night, carrying the Tar Heels to a 77-74 win.

Nevertheless, this is a trend that cannot continue into the conference tournament and the NCAA tournament next month. North Carolina has shown the ability to steady the ship, but in elimination games, a slow start can be all she writes for the Tar Heels.

Free Throw Shooting 

Dec 30, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels center Henri Veesaar (13) on the free throw line in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

This has been a season-long issue for North Carolina, which shoots 68 percent from the free throw line, ranking 320th in the country. However, it has been especially worrisome in the last two games, as the Tar Heels have shot 24-of-47 from the stripe during that span, including 9-of-19 against Louisville, which was their worst output of the season in the free throw department.

Poor free throw shooting keeps opposing teams within striking distance, as was the case against Syracuse, or puts extra stress on closing out a game and solidifying a victory, which occurred against Louisville, and could cause North Carolina to exit the NCAA tournament earlier than expected.

The Tar Heels possess a high ceiling and could make a run in March, but that is impossible to achieve with underwhelming efficiency from the free throw line.

Combination of Both Factors is Majorly Concerning 

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 | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Starting games on the wrong foot and struggling from the free throw line may be the worst combination of weaknesses to have in March. If the Tar Heels are a first- or second-round exit in the NCAA tournament, a good bet for their downfall is that these events occur.

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