What to Expect from Belichick, UNC Tonight vs. Charlotte

On this episode of the Tar Heels Insider Podcast, beat writer Grant Chachere previews the game against Charlotte.

To watch, check out the video below!

Here is a partial transcript from UNC head men's basketball coach Hubert Davis on Sept. 2:

On Luka Bogavac ...

"He’s been great getting to know and also coaching him. He’s been fantastic in the classroom and also on the court. As a player, he’s somebody who can do a number of different things on both ends of the floor. He’s got great size, can handle it, and make plays with the ball in his hand."

"Can shoot, score on many different levels, mid-range, get to the bucket, excellent passer, and somebody who had a burning desire to be here and to be a part of this program. And as soon as he walks into a room, it just brightens up. He just has that type of personality I’ve really enjoyed being around."

On building the roster ...

UNC — Dec 30, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis (right) talks with an official against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the second half at the Petersen Events Center. Pittsburgh won 76-74. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

"A couple of things, I thought we needed to be bigger in positional size. We needed more size. I think the number one determining factor of an outcome of the game is rebounding. I thought defensively we were okay — rebounding percentage-wise, but offensive rebounding was nowhere near where we needed to be. I wanted to become more versatile. You have different types of lineups, and I feel like with this roster, we’ve been able to identify both of those."

What He's Most Excited About with Caleb Wilson ...

UNC — Mar 31, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; McDonald’s All American West forward Caleb Wilson (8) shoots the ball during the Sprite Jam Fest at Barclay's Center. Mandatory Credit: Pamela Smith-Imagn Images | Pamela Smith-Imagn Images

"From a basketball standpoint, I think you guys know he’s just uber-talented. I mean, his length and his athleticism, he can handle the basketball at that size, finish around the rim, shoot mid-range. Defensively, he can do a number of different things. As much as I can talk about how impressed I am of him on the court, I’m even more impressed of him as a kid and a teammate."

"Everything that he talks about is never about him. And I mean that, like everything that he talks about is about the team, and it’s about North Carolina, everything. For someone highly ranked coming in here to not only talk about it, but also be concerned about the welfare and the benefit of the team, is something that is rare, and it’s something that I really enjoy and love being around every day."

What He's Learned Going Into His Fifth Season as UNC's Head Coach

UNC — Mar 21, 2025; Milwaukee, WI, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis during the first half of a first round NCAA men’s tournament game against the Mississippi Rebels at Fiserv Forum. | Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

"I feel the same way that I have felt the last four years. There is pressure and expectation for us to be good this year, but that pressure and that expectation for us to be good is no different than any other year. The standard is at the highest here, and I always talk to the guys that the standard is the standard. And there’s an expectation every year for us to reach that standard."

"You talked about the last four years, and I actually had a conversation with (team spokesman Steve Kirschner) last week, that there’s pressure and expectation to be good this year. But also, in some sense, to keep it there, if that makes sense."e

"The first year, we were a rebound away from winning the national championship, but the next year, we won 20 games and we didn't make it to the NCAA Tournament. And then the third year, we’re a top-five team pretty much the whole season, No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, and won the (ACC) regular-season title. Then last year, we won 23 games and just made the NCAA Tournament. And so there is a determination to get there and to stay there.”

On Pittsboro native Jarin Stevenson transferring to UNC from Alabama ...

UNC — Mar 29, 2025; Newark, NJ, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) shoots the ball against Alabama Crimson Tide forward Jarin Stevenson (15) during the first half in the East Regional final of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images | Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

"I’ve known Jaron and his family for a very long time. So thankful that Jarin decided to come back here and to come back home. He’s a great kid. He’s someone else that you know had a burning desire to be a part of this program and a part of this team. His being at 6–10, one of the things that really impressed me last year when we played him was his ability on the defensive end."

"They put him on RJ [Davis], and he did a really good job getting around screens at 6–10, and so his versatility defensively, of being able to guard multiple positions. He’s a really good 3-point shooter, terrific size and so very hard to find that in your town. And so I’m glad. I’m so happy he’s here.

On Henri Veesaar's Defensive Versatility ...

UNC — Mar 27, 2025; Newark, NJ, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Henri Veesaar (13) shoots the ball against Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) during the second half during an East Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Prudential Center. | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

"He’ got tremendous size, and it’s not just blocking shots, but it’s altering shots as well. He’s a really good rebounder. Throughout his career, he’s been able to play several different defenses, whether it’s different coverages on ball screens or being able to switch. And guard guards out on the perimeter."

"Teams and individuals that can do that make them a really good defensive team. That’s something that’s a high priority for us. I’ve talked about rebounding, but you’ve got to defend. We've got to be a really good defensive team. And when you have someone like Henri, who is also older and he’s very vocal, which allows us to have really good communication, that’s something that’s a huge benefit for us."

"The added height that we have in regards to defensively, but I’ll also say the versatility to be able to do different things on the defensive end. To be good, you have to defend and rebound, and take care of basketball. But being in a position to be elite defensively on both ends of the floor. I’ve talked about, you know, defensive rebounding percentage."

"But a huge staple of Carolina basketball, even before I was head coach with Coach [Roy] Williams, was offensive rebounding. And so that’s, that’s an area that’s a major emphasis for us. And, you know, having that positional height, having that height in the front court, just allows us to be able to do that and do the things that we want to do.”

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