Category: ACC

PHOTOS: UNC basketball struggles down stretch in ACC loss at Louisville

Here’s a few photos from UNC’s New Year’s Day loss at Louisville.

The North Carolina Tar Heels were on the right track in their basketball season, entering Wednesday night’s matchup with Louisville off an upset win over UCLA and a blowout against Campbell.

When the final seconds ticked off the JumboTron at the KFC Yum! Center, UNC reverted back to its concerning struggles in an 83-70 loss.

North Carolina’s (8-6, 1-1 ACC) greatest red flag came down the stretch, as the Tar Heels only scored one point over the game’s final five minutes. I’ve watched this trend in recent losses: UNC ties or takes the lead late in second halves, then either can’t score or get stops down the stretch.

Wednesday night continued showing why North Carolina’s lack of a dominant post presence hurts them. Louisville (9-5, 2-1 ACC) bullied the Tar Heels in the post, particularly in transition, as Cardinals guards lofted easy passes over shorter UNC players for easy buckets.

Ian Jackson is North Carolina’s greatest offensive threat – and that’s even with reigning ACC Player of the Year RJ Davis on the roster. Jackson scored 23 points in Wednesday’s loss, his third-consecutive 20-point outing.

Give Louisville its credit where credit is due. The Cardinals look like a brand-new team under first-year head coach Pat Kelsey, who previously led Winthrop and College of Charleston to multiple NCAA Tournament berths.

The Tar Heels, on the other hand, are a shell of the head-turning squad we witness last season. UNC continues to trend towards missing the Big Dance in March, which would be its second time in three seasons under Hubert Davis.

If you couldn’t watch tonight’s game, check out some photos from the New Year’s Day action.

Front court struggles appear again in UNC basketball’s loss at Louisville

UNC’s lack of post production continued hurting them on Wednesday at Louisville.

For the first time in as many seasons I remember watching them, the North Carolina Tar Heels lack a consistent post presence on their current basketball roster.

After learning behind Armando Bacot for two seasons, Jalen Washington hasn’t panned out in his first year as UNC’s starting center. North Carolina recruited 4-star center James Brown, but Hubert Davis rarely plays him. Ty Claude looks good in limited action, but he also rarely plays, while Ven-Allen Lubin isn’t scoring at his Vanderbilt level.

The Tar Heels’ post struggles came to a boiling point during Wednesday’s 83-70 loss at Louisville (9-5, 2-1 ACC), particularly on the offensive end.

Washington only played 17 minutes, but he was UNC’s (8-6, 1-1 ACC) best big man, scoring seven points (3-of-5 field goals, one made free throw) and grabbing six rebounds.

Jae’Lyn Withers, who started the season as North Carolina’s power forward, scored just two points (1-of-2 on field goals) and grabbed five rebounds in 16 minutes off the bench. Claude saw the court for just three minutes – and collected two fouls.

“They were very physical. In the first half, I thought our shot selection could’ve been better,” UNC head coach Hubert Davis said during his postgame press conference. “I felt like there was opportunities where we could attack the basket. I feel like there were opportunities where we attacked the basket and instead of going strong, we double-pumped in the lane and missed a number of layups, whether it’s in the post or penetration.”

Lubin, who started the past several games at center for the Tar Heels, struggled immensely in 21 minutes off the bench. Lubin scored just five points, making three of four free throws and one of five field goals attempts.

A late-second half stretch highlighted Lubin’s struggles in particular.

UNC trailed the host Cardinals by just one point, 70-69, with 2:59 remaining in regulation. For whatever reason, Lubin guarded Louisville guard Chucky Hepburn on the perimeter. Lubin fouled Hepburn, who drained three consecutive free throws,

“Especially in late game situations, with four minutes to go, the discipline and details just have to be there,” Hubert said. “Defensively, you’ve got to get stops, you’ve got to defend without fouling. You’ve got to box out, get loose balls. Offensively, you have to execute.”

North Carolina’s issues go far beyond post production, but if UNC wants to salvage any of its season, its big men need to produce.

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Bill Belichick to face National Championship winner in first season

Bill Belichick and another legendary football coach will face off in Kenan Stadium.

All the current hype in college football surrounds the North Carolina Tar Heels – and they aren’t even playing in the College Football Playoff.

UNC will face UConn in the Fenway Bowl on Saturday, the sixth-straight season UNC will play postseason football, but there’s something much larger capturing everyone’s attention.

North Carolina hired longtime NFL legend Bill Belichick as its head coach on Wednesday, December 11. Belichick entered the Tar Heels’ head-coaching search late in the process – as a surprise candidate – but wound up with the job.

Belichick’s hiring is already catching the eye of several big-name recruits, include the Class of 2026’s top-ranked quarterback and a former 5-star defensive lineman.

Speaking of big names, Belichick will face one of the best coaches in college football during UNC’s 2025 football season.

The coach in reference here is Dabo Swinney, Clemson‘s longtime head man, who led his teams to the 2016 and 2018 National Championships. The Tigers are back in the College Football Playoff for the first time since 2020 (2021 Sugar Bowl), when they lost to Ohio State.

North Carolina doesn’t know when it will play Clemson, but we do know Clemson will be traveling to Kenan Stadium. Belichick will help the Tar Heels try and snap a 6-game losing streak to the Tigers, who are the standard for ACC football.

Belichick knows a thing or two about big matchups himself, as he won Six Super Bowls with the New England Patriots and appeared in the playoffs 19 times (once with the Cleveland Browns).

Facing Clemson will be a great “welcome to college football” moment for Belichick. Then again, the greatest coach of all time doesn’t need any introduction.

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UNC women’s soccer program wins record 23rd National Championship

The UNC women’s soccer team snapped its long championship drought on Monday night, beating a fellow ACC rival.

Despite being the winningest program in women’s college soccer history, the North Carolina Tar Heels last won a National Championship in 2012.

That quickly changed on Monday night.

Only needing a free kick from sophomore Olivia Thomas in the 62nd minute, UNC captured their record 23rd National Championship in program history, winning 1-0 against in-state ACC rival Wake Forest.

North Carolina (22-5, 7-3 ACC) didn’t gain a ton of opportunities against a stout Demon Deacons (16-4-4, 7-2-1 ACC) defense, but made the most of its chance midway through the second half.

Thomas collected herself, curled a shot over Wake’s wall and past the outstretched arms of goalie Valentina Amaral. The Demon Deacons entered Monday’s championship match allowing just three combined goals in the NCAA Tournament, making Thomas’ goal against them a rarity – but one the North Carolina faithful expected of Thomas.

Speaking of goalkeepers, Tar Heels goalie Clare Gagne was a brick wall between the goal posts. Gagne made three saves on the night, including a couple point-blank ones early in the first half.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DDYWYHVpzod/

UNC almost added a second goal in the closing seconds, but Amaral averted the threat.

Many outside of Chapel Hill wondered if North Carolina would even make the NCAA Championship, with longtime head coach Anson Dorrance retiring on August 11, after 45 seasons at the helm. The Tar Heels quickly tagged soccer mind Damon Nahas, an assistant coach with the program since 2015, as their interim head coach.

With Nahas leading UNC to a National Championship his first season as head coach, it’s time for him to be named the permanent head coach.

After yet another successful year, the Tar Heels are back at the top where they belong: the queens of college soccer.

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RJ Davis, guards able to earn transition baskets vs. Georgia Tech

UNC’s big advantage in fast break points helped it beat Georgia Tech on Saturday and snap a 3-game slide.

If there’s one area the North Carolina Tar Heels will consistently out-perform opponents in, it’s transition offense.

On Saturday, Dec. 7 in its 68-65 ACC-opening victory over Georgia Tech, UNC’s transition offense shined through once again.

North Carolina (5-4, 1-0 ACC) outscored the Yellow Jackets, 16-5, in fast break points. This was in part due to the Tar Heels’ improved rebounding, particularly from center Ven-Allen Lubin, but also due to their guards’ ability to quickly sprint up the court.

After the game, reigning ACC Player of the Year RJ Davis elaborated on why UNC’s transition game was so important – and why today’s production needs to continue.

“I told my teammates in the huddle that we’re really good in transition – and not a lot of teams can stop us in transition – because of the guards we have,” Davis said. “We are quick, we’re athletic. We have to get stops in order to run. That’s what we did, we were able to get out. I think Elliot (Cadeau) did a good job pitching the ball ahead. We ran a small lineup today, so myself, Seth (Trimble), Ian (Jackson), Elliot (Cadeau) did a good job of coming in – helping out with the bigs and the rebounds. We were able to leak out and get some transition buckets.”

Trimble anchored North Carolina’s scoring attack with 19 points, plus he added seven rebounds and four steals. Davis added 16 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals. Jackson scored 15 points, grabbed two rebounds and dished out one assist, while Cadeau filled up the stat sheet with nine points, six rebounds, four assists and game-high three steals.

Lubin and Jalen Washington combined for 14 rebounds, as the Tar Heels out-rebounded Georgia Tech by a 48-37 margin.

Even though UNC struggled throughout – and trailed late in the second half – it’s good to see that transition offense can still lead it to victory.

North Carolina will need consistent fast break opportunities to generate some positive momentum – and get back to playing a consistent brand of winning basketball.

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Seth Trimble says bigs played a major role in UNC’s victory, need to be consistent

Centers Jalen Washington and Ven-Allen Lubin played big roles in helping UNC down Georgia Tech Saturday.

The North Carolina Tar Heels have been searching for post production all season long, particularly given they don’t have the dominant presence of Armando Bacot anymore.

UNC targeted several big men in the transfer portal this offseason, but swung and missed on the biggest names.

North Carolina still has yet to find its go-to big man, but Saturday’s 68-65, ACC opening-victory against Georgia Tech showed it has not one – but two – centers who are capable of filling that role.

Ven-Allen Lubin started in place of Jalen Washington, recording five points, one block, a steal and led the Tar Heels with eight rebounds in 16 minutes. Washington played solid defensive basketball in 20 minutes off the bench: scoring two points, generating a steal and pulling down six rebounds.

North Carolina won the rebounding battle, 48-37. Nearly every Tar Heel recorded multiple rebounds.

“He brought a big presence down low, which is exactly what we needed,” UNC junior guard Seth Trimble said about Lubin. “Every big had a rough first half this game, but he (Lubin) had a really good first half, he had some offensive boards. He defended well, other than fouling out. But he did what we asked him to do. J-Wash had a really good second half I felt like as well. My biggest thing with them is, they need to come out the gate with their motive – and with a response right away – because we’re going to need them. They’re showing that they’re capable of it already this year. They just need to get back going.”

Lubin, who started every game for Vanderbilt last year, is the more experienced option for North Carolina. Washington spent the last two years learning behind Bacot – and despite still trying to grow into his potential, Washington looks like he took a step forward from last season.

Just like Trimble said: if Lubin and Washington can start producing consistently, the Tar Heels will play drastically better basketball.

Lubin and Washington did just enough on Saturday against Georgia Tech – and UNC finally is back in the winning column.

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UNC snaps 3-game slide, wins ACC opener

North Carolina finally snapped its losing streak Saturday in its ACC opener against Georgia Tech.

Entering Saturday’s ACC basketball opener against Georgia Tech, the North Carolina Tar Heels needed a win in the worst way.

UNC lost Wednesday’s ACC-SEC Challenge matchup against Alabama, 94-79, during a game in which it never looked comfortable.

Saturday wasn’t pretty, but North Carolina did just enough to escape with the victory.

The Tar Heels and Yellow Jackets traded leads throughout the game, but it was the Tar Heels who emerged with a 68-65 win in the ACC opener for both teams.

UNC’s (5-4, 1-0) defense looked great against Georgia Tech (4-5, 0-1), holding the Yellow Jackets to a 31.3 field goal percentage. A big part of North Carolina’s improved defensive effort was post play, with the Tar Heels limiting second-chance points and winning the rebounding battle, 48-37.

UNC arguably won today’s game on the fast break, outscoring Georgia Tech 16-5. North Carolina guards RJ Davis, Seth Trimble and Ian Jackson all played big roles in that advantage, quickly racing down the court after a rebound.

Davis, Trimble and Jackson combined for 73.5 percent of the Tar Heels’ points. Trimble led the way with 19 on 5-of-6 shooting and eight made free throws, Davis added 16 points and Jackson contributed 15 off the bench.

UNC announced a starting lineup change just moments before tipoff, with Ven-Allen Lubin starting at center in place of Jalen Washington. Hubert Davis’ decision paid off – despite Lubin fouling out late in the second half, he led North Carolina with eight rebounds, while also adding five points, a steal and block apiece.

Saturday wasn’t pretty. The Tar Heels struggled in moments. When the final buzzer sounded, UNC players and coaches breathed a sigh of relief. North Carolina won its first ACC game and the losing streak is over.

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UNC makes a change to starting lineup for ACC basketball opener against Georgia Tech

The UNC basketball team has a new starter in today’s ACC opener against Georgia Tech.

The North Carolina Tar Heels are mired in their coldest stretch on their young basketball season, entering Saturday’s ACC opener against Georgia Tech with three-consecutive losses.

UNC’s latest defeat came on Wednesday, Dec. 4 against Alabama in the ACC-SEC Challenge, as it largely trailed throughout and lost, 94-79. Despite outrebounding the Crimson Tide and scoring more points in the paint, North Carolina struggled to produce in the post.

In hopes of generating more of a spark Saturday, Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis is making a big change to his starting lineup.

Ven-Allen Lubin, who transferred from Vanderbilt in the offseason, will be starting at center in place of Jalen Washington.

Lubin scored eight points, pulled down four rebounds and blocked two shots in 17 minutes off the bench against Alabama. Washington struggled in just 12 minutes as a starter against the Crimson Tide: scoring just three points, recording five rebounds and turning the ball over twice.

Lubin is averaging 6.6 points and 4.3 rebounds through eight games this year. He has a pair of 10-point games under his belt: back on Friday, Nov. 8 in UNC’s 92-89 loss at Kansas, then on Tuesday, Nov 26 against Auburn in the Maui Invitational.

Something you’ll appreciate about Lubin: he’s shooting at least 50 percent in all eight of his previous appearances. North Carolina will need that kind of production from Lubin again today, especially with Washington playing so hot-and-cold.

If Lubin plays well against Georgia Tech, expect to see Hubert starting him a lot going forward. The Tar Heels are in desperate need of production from their big men – and Lubin gets his golden opportunity today.

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UNC Women’s Soccer advances to National Championship with second-straight win over Duke

It’s always a great day when North Carolina beats Duke.

Back on November 7, the UNC women’s soccer team dealt archrival Duke just its second loss of 2024.

On Friday, Dec. 6, North Carolina beat Duke again – but this time for a berth in the National Championship.

The Tar Heels overwhelmed the top-seeded Blue Devils, 3-0, in Friday’s College Cup semifinal from Cary, N.C. and advanced to their 28th National Championship game in program history.

How did second-ranked North Carolina (21-5, 7-3 ACC), win in such dominant fashion?

It all started early, with UNC scoring its first goal on Kate Faasse‘s penalty kick just 9:25 in. Faasse’s connection was her team-high 20th on the year. The Tar Heels didn’t even have to wait 15 minutes for their next goal, with Olivia Thomas scored her eight at the 23:55 mark in the first half.

North Carolina received its third goal from an unlikely source, Maddie Dahlein, who shot to the lower-left hand corner of the next for goal number three, tallied her second score on the year.

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UNC beat Duke, even with two key disadvantages: total shots and corner kicks. The Tar Heels registered nine total shots against Blue Devils goalkeeper Leah Freeman, while Claire Gagne saved all five Duke shots she face.

North Carolina only had one corner kick throughout Friday’s semifinal matchup, while the Blue Devils generated seven. Corner kicks are typically great ways to generate instant offense, so the fact UNC held Duke scoreless, is impressive in it own feat.

On Monday, Dec. 9, the Tar Heels will be playing for another National Championship, this time against in-state, ACC rival Wake Forest.

Can North Carolina leave Cary with its 21st National Championship in program history?

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How to watch UNC-Alabama basketball: Time, TV channel for ACC-SEC Challenge clash

What channel is UNC-Alabama basketball on today? Here’s how to watch, including time, TV schedule, live streaming info and game odds.

The North Carolina Tar Heels are gearing up for another extremely difficult non-conference test, but this time, that test will be inside the Dean Dome.

On Wednesday, Dec. 4, UNC (4-3) will face a National Championship contender in Alabama in a 7:15 p.m. tip-off. The Crimson Tide (6-2) already beat a pair of ranked teams in Illinois and Houston, while North Carolina failed in ranked tests against Kansas and Auburn.

The Tar Heels have a major advantage for Wednesday’s highly-anticipated battle: they’re playing at home. Cue all the jokes about UNC having a “wine and cheese crowd,” but the Dean Dome gets loud, especially with a top-notch opponent like Alabama coming to town.

North Carolina went just 1-2 in the Maui Invitational, an extremely disappointing results considered the high standards it faces this season. A victory on Wednesday night wouldn’t quash doubts about the Tar Heels, but it would go a long way toward solving them.

What UNC has in RJ Davis and Elliot Cadeau, Alabama has in Mark Sears and Grant Nelson.

RJ still leads North Carolina with 18.4 points per game, despite his early-season struggles, while Cadeau’s big leap has him averaging 14.4 points per game and a Tar Heels-best 5.9 assists per game.

Sears (16) and Nelson (13.5) are Alabama’s top two scorers – and they played major roles in March’s Sweet 16 win over UNC.

If you’re heading to Chapel Hill, we’ll see you there. If you can’t make the game, make sure you familiarize yourself with all the necessary broadcasting information.

What channel is UNC vs. Alabama on Wednesday? Time, TV schedule

TV Channel: ESPN

Time: 7:15 p.m. ET

UNC vs. Alabama will broadcast nationally on ESPN in the ACC-SEC Challenge. Jon Sciambi and Jay Williams will call the game from the floor at the Dean E. Smith Center.

Where to watch UNC vs. Alabama

[afflinkbutton text=”Watch UNC vs. Alabama live on ESPN+” link=”https://go.web.plus.espn.com/Vmrv2O”]

UNC vs. Alabama prediction, picks, odds

North Carolina 87, Alabama 82: North Carolina is struggling after a 1-2 showing in the Maui Invitational, but a trip back to Chapel Hill is exactly what the program needs. UNC will be playing in front of a raucous crowd, which works in the team’s advantage. Once the Tar Heels find a rotation that works for them, they’ll be set.

All College Basketball Odds via BetMGM.

SPREAD: UNC -1.5 (-115); Alabama +1.5 (-105)

MONEYLINE: UNC -140; Alabama +110

O/U TOTAL: 176.5 (UNC -110, Alabama -110)

UNC schedule

Oct. 12: Blue-White Scrimmage (Blue 62, White 53)

Oct. 15: Exhibition @ Memphis (W, 84-76)

Oct. 27: Exhibition vs. Johnson C. Smith (W, 127-63)

Nov. 4: vs. Elon (W, 90-76)

Nov. 8: at Kansas (L, 92-89)

Nov. 15: vs. American University (W, 107-55)

Nov. 22: at Hawai’i (W, 87-69)

Nov. 25: vs. Dayton (W, 92-90, Maui Invitational)

Nov. 26: vs. Auburn (L, 85-72 in Maui)

Nov. 27: vs. Michigan State (L, 94-91 in Maui)

Dec. 4: vs. Alabama

Dec. 7: vs. Georgia Tech

Dec. 14: vs. La Salle

Dec. 17: vs. Florida (Jumpman Invitational)

Dec. 21: vs. UCLA (CBS Sports Classic)

Dec. 29: vs. Campbell

Jan. 1: at Louisville

Jan. 4: at Notre Dame

Jan. 7: vs. SMU

Jan. 11: at NC State

Jan. 15: vs. California

Jan. 18: vs. Stanford

Jan. 21: at Wake Forest

Jan. 25: vs. Boston College

Jan. 28: at Pitt

Feb. 1: at Duke

Feb. 8: vs. Pitt

Feb. 10: at Clemson

Feb. 15: at Syracuse

Feb. 19: vs. NC State

Feb. 22: vs. Virginia

Feb. 24: at Florida State

March 1: vs. Miami (FL)

March 4: at Virginia Tech

March 8: vs. Duke

March 11-15: ACC Tournament (Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC)

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