Approximately 60 minutes after the UNC-Clemson football game ends on Saturday, October 4 (a game that begins at noon), the men’s basketball team will have its Blue-White scrimmage — something that occurs before the season opener for the fans to acclimated with its new roster. Head coach Hubert Davis and staff have a big task with the coming season — finding their way back toward success, similarly to the 2021-2022 and 2023-2024 campaigns, where UNC made it to the national championship and Sweet 16.
Mar 4, 2025; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis points at a player during the second half against Virginia Tech Hokies at Cassell Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bishop-Imagn Images / Brian Bishop-Imagn Images
UNC has to have a big year to keep things steady, especially with the lack of consistency it has had over the past few years after the magical 2022 March Madness run — an group of RJ Davis, Caleb Love, Leaky Black, Brady Manek and Armando Bacot, also referred to as the “Iron Five,” due to the amount of minutes each player played (Puff Johnson, Justin McKoy and Dontrez Styles came in as needed, too).
Mar 17, 2025; Dayton, OH, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis looks on during the First Four Practice at UD Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images / Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
However, this 2025-2026 roster features a handful of transfers, three freshmen and a few returnees that formulate maybe the best and surely deepest roster under Davis. And more importantly, the Tar Heels have a squad that fits just right to the way Davis wants to set up his offensive scheme. North Carolina will rely a good amount on senior Seth Trimble, but then it’s five-star freshman Caleb Wilson, who has the potential to become a Top 3 pick in next year’s NBA Draft.
The play of Wilson, obviously, stands out, but also the other two freshmen, guards Derek Dixon and Isaiah Denis, who have something to prove, too. International transfer Luka Bogavac will be an interesting watch — seeing him get used to the style of play that differs a whole lot from what he was used to when playing for SC Derby. And Trimble’s growth as a playmaker and three-point shooter will be crucial to the team’s success as well.
Jan 4, 2025; Gilbert, AZ, USA; Gonzaga (DC) guard Derek Dixon (3) against Chaminade (MO) during the Hoophall West High School Invitational at Highland High School. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
North Carolina’s newest center, 7-foot Henri Veesaar, will be eye-catching as the last UNC has had someone with such height was during Roy Williams’ last season as the head coach (2020-2021), with Walker Kessler (now in the NBA), who then transferred to the Auburn Tigers for his sophomore season.
The frontcourt is there and the backcourt, with the arrival of Colorado State transfer Kyan Evans, is expected to run the show this season. UNC fans have a lot to pay attention to, and for what it’s worth, it could be the only reason it smiles that day — if the football is unable to defeat Clemson.
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