5 Favorite Moments From North Carolina's 2025-26 Season

The North Carolina Tar Heels' season was ultimately a disappointment, as the team finished with three straight losses and failed to advance past the first round of the NCAA tournament.

Concluding the season by blowing a 19-point lead in the second half resulted in North Carolina firing former head coach Hubert Davis after five seasons in Chapel Hill. While the ending of the season leaves a sour taste heading into the offseason, there were plenty of memorable moments from this past season.

With all of that being said, here are the top five moments from North Carolina's 2025-26 campaign.

5. Seth Trimble's Return in Win Over Ohio State

Dec 20, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Seth Trimble (7) celebrates after a victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Early in the season, the senior guard suffered a freak gym accident, which resulted in a fractured forearm, costing Trimble to miss over a month of games. After being held out eight games, the 6-foot-3, 200-pound guard returned to the lineup against the Buckeyes on Dec. 20.

Trimble illustrated how important his presence was, not just from an experienced standpoint, but also from a production standpoint. The veteran guard recorded 17 points, three assists, and two rebounds while shooting 6-of-13 from the field, including 2-of-5 from three-point range in a 71-70 win over Ohio State.

4. Caleb Wilson Shines Against Kansas

Nov 7, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Caleb Wilson (8) shoots as Kansas Jayhawks forward Flory Bidunga (40) and guard Melvin Council Jr. (14) and guard Darryn Peterson (22) defend in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Prior to the 2025 season, Wilson was not regarded on the same level as incoming freshmen Darryn Peterson, A.J. Dybantsa, and Cameron Boozer. The 6-foot-9, 216-pound forward made a statement against Peterson and the Kansas Jayhawks, totaling 24 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and four steals while shooting 9-of-11 from the field, leading the Tar Heels to an 87-74 victory.

3. Luka Bogavac Saves Day on Senior Night

Mar 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Luka Bogavac (44) celebrates after a three point basket against the Clemson Tigers during the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images | Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

March 3 was Senior Night for North Carolina, as the Tar Heels hosted the Clemson Tigers at the Dean E. Smith Center. It was a special occasion for Trimble, but the senior guard's performance did not live up to expectations, as he recorded nine points, four rebounds, and 1 assist while shooting 2-of-10 from the field, including 1-of-4 from three-point range.

Luckily, Bogavac had a career game, scoring 20 points while shooting 6-of-10 from three-point range. The overseas transfer repeatedly hit monumental shots in the second half, lifting North Carolina past the finish line in a 67-63 win.

2. Wilson Learns of Second-Team All-American

Mar 7, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Injured North Carolina Tar Heels foward Caleb Wilson jokes with teammates prior to a game against the Duke Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Duke Blue Devils won 76-61. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images | Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images

It was bittersweet for the freshman phenom, who was told of his accomplishments by Davis in front of the team during a practice before the conference tournament. It was a bright spot in a disappointing time for Wilson, who had recently suffered a season-ending broken thumb just days before the announcement.

1. Trimble's Game-Winning Buzzer Beater Over Duke

Feb 7, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Seth Trimble (7) celebrates with teammates after the game at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

North Carolina-Duke is a historic rivalry, and Feb. 7 marked one of the best games in the series. After trailing by double-digits throughout the first half, the Tar Heels clawed back into the game behind Wilson, who was instrumental while playing all 40 minutes.

Despite facing an uphill battle, North Carolina tied the game late, with a chance to win on the final shot. Trimble, in his last game against Duke in the Dean E. Smith Center, hit a contested three-pointer in the corner, giving the Tar Heels their first and only lead of the game with less than a second left on the clock. North Carolina would win 71-68 in its biggest win of the season.