Former Tar Heel Compares Lloyd to Roy Williams' Roster Construction

The Tar Heels' coaching search has another interesting factor connecting them to the top-rumored candidate.

Dec 5, 2023; New York, New York, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels former head coach Roy Williams watches from the stands during halftime against the Connecticut Huskies at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

It has been well documented that the North Carolina Tar Heels are searching for a new head coach after firing Hubert Davis last week, following the team's first-round loss to the VCU Rams in the NCAA Tournament.

Arizona's head coach Tommy Lloyd has been rumored as a legitimate candidate for the job, despite leading the Wildcats to a Final Four Appearance and a real possibility of cutting down the nets this upcoming Monday.

Mar 28, 2026; San Jose, CA, USA; Arizona Wildcats head coach Tommy Lloyd shakes hands with Purdue Boilermakers head coach Matt Painter before an Elite Eight game of the West Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at SAP Center. Mandatory Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images | Eakin Howard-Imagn Images

During an appearance on "The Field of 68" podcast, former North Carolina forward Justin Jackson drew comparisons between Arizona's current roster and how the Tar Heels have historically been constructed.

Jackson's Thoughts

Apr 3, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Justin Jackson (44) reacts after the championship game of the 2017 NCAA Men's Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

• "I haven't seen him really say no," Jackson explained. "You can talk about names, you can talk about a list of coaches, but when I look at this Arizona team, it looks exactly like the North Carolina teams under Roy Williams. You look at the size, the offensive rebounding, the points in the paint, and great point guard play. Then, you have wings that are long and athletic, who can play defense and shoot from the outside. It looks so similar to those teams."

• "Now, would he be able to replicate that at North Carolina? Who knows," Jackson continued. "But that, for me, is what's so intriguing. This team that he has reminds me so much of those teams that had a whole lot of success, and is what people are wanting North Carolina to return to when it comes to the success level."

Does This Make Sense?

Mar 12, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis in the huddle with his team during the first half against the Clemson Tigers at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Under Hubert Davis, North Carolina's roster was similarly constructed, especially this past season. The Tar Heels were anchored by a frontcourt tandem consisting of Henri Veesaar and Caleb Wilson, who were complemented by Jarin Stevenson, Seth Trimble, and Derek Dixon.

Now, Trimble and Wilson were not consistent three-point shooters, and the original plan was for Kyan Evans to run the offense alongside Trimble, but that quickly fizzled out, as the Colorado State transfer never made the impact the coaching staff envisioned.

Mar 19, 2026; Greenville, SC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Derek Dixon (3) dribbles the ball against the VCU Rams in the first half of a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

North Carolina will look drastically different next season, with Trimble graduating, Wilson departing for the draft, and Veesaar potentially following suit. The 6-foot-11, 224-pound center, who played under Lloyd for two seasons at Arizona, has yet to officially declare for the 2026 NBA Draft.

All that being said, Jackson discussed how North Carolina has valued elite guard play, wing scoring, defense, and offensive rebounding. Next season, the Tar Heels' roster is tantalizing, with Dixon and Dylan Mingo forming a dangerous one-two punch in the backcourt, while adding forward Maximo Adams in the recruitment pool in addition to Mingo.

Mar 19, 2026; Greenville, SC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Seth Trimble (7) goes to the basket against VCU Rams forward Lazar Djokovic (17) in the second half of a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

That doesn't even include Stevenson, Bogavac, and Veesaar, who could all return to Chapel Hill.

Serra's Maximo Adams (25) looks to coaches as he runs down the court during the first quarter of their first-round CIF-SS playoff game at Indio High School in Indio, Calif., Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024. | Andy Abeyta/The Desert Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK

It may be a tumultuous time right now in North Carolina, but with the right hire and the retention of the names mentioned above, excluding Wilson and Evans, the Tar Heels could be a formidable team in 2026.