UNC Women Drop UCLA Game; Men Ready for NC Central

On this episode of the Tar Heels Insider Podcast, beat writer Grant Chachere recaps North Carolina’s double-digit loss to UCLA in women’s basketball and previews Friday’s men’s game against NC Central.

To hear what he had to say, check out the video below.

Here is a partial transcript of Luka Bogavac's media availability from Tuesday.

How comfortable are you now with everything?

Nov 7, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Luka Bogavac (44) reacts at the end of the game at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

I think I still have space to be more comfortable. I think maybe I was nervous, so that's why I missed a lot of shots tonight. With time it will get better and I'll feel more comfortable because everything is new for me. I've only spent maybe forty minutes with the guys on the court together. The style and pace are different from what I played last year, so as I said, with time on the court I'll get more and more comfortable.

On how UNC’s fan base has embraced him..,

UNC — Luka Bogavac; Nov. 4, 2025 | Jackson McCurdy, North Carolina Tar Heels On SI

We spoke every day about our crowd, our fans. It's amazing in just this short time, how they love me, how they show me the lobby. I just have one thing in my head when I step on the court dress, to keep them back, also, because there are, as I said, six men. They push us, and they will push us for sure during the whole year.

So I just here in my mind to give, give back that this love and thanks, thanks to them because I saw everywhere, and how they love me. They're sharing my name. So I really love this, and I will try every single game just to the give them back something, you know.

How Ivan Matlekovic and Henri Veesaar have helped him transition in Chapel Hill…

UNC — Nov 11, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels center Henri Veesaar (13) backs down on Radford Highlanders forward Tyson Brown (21) during the first half at Dean E. Smith Center. | Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

for sure, even it's his (Ivan Matlekovic) second year here, so he knows a little bit how things go. So for me, the first month or second was just, you know, I was just asking everything about, you know, about the practices, the style, how we practice. Everything is kind of different where I played before, I think in general, in Europe. So I think now I feel more comfortable. And with the time, just getting more comfortable.

You knew about the reputation for sure, but did anything about the crowd or atmosphere surprise you — like the Kansas game, for instance?

UNC — Dean Smith Center | Grant Chachere, North Carolina Tar Heels On SI

I come from countries where basketball is everything. I've seen great atmospheres, but this one was amazing. Every single game here has an incredible atmosphere, no matter the opponent. I just try to bring people in and keep the arena packed every single game.

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