Tag: 2024-2025 UNC men’s basketball season

UNC basketball projected to face C-USA school in Joe Lunardi’s latest bracketology

Early bracketology has UNC facing a team that hasn’t made the NCAA Tournament in over 30 years.

Even though we’re just two weeks into the 2024-2025 college basketball season, it’s never too early to start making March Madness projections.

Which teams are near-locks to win their conferences? Who will the Cinderellas be? Will any highly-favored preseason teams fail to live up to the hype?

The North Carolina Tar Heels, just 2-1 through their first three games, are hoping to be the last team standing when March Madness is all said and done.

If famed bracketologist Joe Lunardi’s latest projections come true, UNC will at least be in the Big Dance. Lunardi has North Carolina as a 4-seed in the East Region, facing 13-seed Louisiana Tech in the first round.

While the Tar Heels would be making their second-consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament, the Bulldogs would be making their first since 1991. Louisiana Tech has enjoyed plenty of success on the basketball court in recent years, with five 20-win seasons in its past six, but playing in a mid-major conference like the C-USA hurt its chance at gaining an at-large.

Just like any team early in the season, North Carolina is still trying to figure itself out.

UNC was nearly upset by Elon in its season-opener, but UNC took over in the final four minutes. The Tar Heels trailed Kansas by 15 at halftime on Nov. 8, but nearly came back. American shot well from deep early last Friday, then North Carolina exploded for 64 second-half points.

We’ll really start to see how legit UNC is starting Saturday, when it heads to Hawaii for its fifth matchup with the Rainbow Warriors. The Tar Heels then remain in Hawaii for the Maui Invitational, kicking off Monday with an 11:30 p.m. tipoff against Dayton.

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Elliot Cadeau joins a UNC legend with his 2024 production through first three games

Elliot Cadeau is UNC’s first basketball player – of the 21st century – to achieve this rare feat.

The North Carolina Tar Heels are just three games into their college basketball season, so it’s still difficult to tell how the season will play out.

There is one thing we’re confident saying about UNC through just those three games, though: Elliot Cadeau took a MASSIVE step forward from freshman year

Cadeau, a sophomore from West Orange, N.J. who starts at guard alongside RJ Davis this year, looks extremely well-rounded. In addition to being a solid passer, Cadeau is explosive when he drives to the basket, can knock down threes at a more consistent clip and – cue the excitement – shows the ability to slam dunk in transition.

With his 47 points and 23 assists on North Carolina’s young season so far, Cadeau earned a unique statistical distinction alongside a program legend.

Cadeau became the first Tar Heel, since Ed Cota (1997-2000), with a minimum 12 points and seven assists through his first three games.

If you were old enough to remember watching Cota, he was an assist machine named the 1997 ACC Rookie of the Year. At the time, Cota was just the fourth player in UNC’s history to be named ACC ROTY (Joseph Forte, Marvin Williams, Tyler Hansbrough, Brandan Wright and Harrison Barnes later earned the distinction)

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If you look at the graphic above, Cadeau enjoyed his best game on the young college basketball season – and arguably his collegiate career – last Friday against American. Basketball is a team sport, but Cadeau’s hot stretch early was the main reason why North Carolina initially led the visiting Eagles, as he scored 15 first-half points.

How much better can Cadeau g througethout the season? Will he return for a third year?

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Jae’Lyn Withers takes advantage of season-opening start against Elon

Jae’Lyn Withers is a name UNC basketball fans should be keeping their eye on this season.

When Jae’Lyn Withers took his infamous 3-point attempt in UNC’s Sweet 16 loss to Alabama last year, many fans had a negative taste in their mouth.

With North Carolina leading 85-84, Withers, who shot just 20 percent from deep, launched a wide-open shot. The Crimson Tide pulled down a rebound and – moments later – took the lead for good on Grant Nelson’s layup.

After the Tar Heels’ 90-76 victory over Elon in their season-opener on Monday, fans should have a positive feeling about Withers.

Getting an unexpected start, Withers delivered in major fashion, showcasing he can be a crucial part of North Carolina’s success by recording a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double.

Withers shot 4-of-10 from the field, but what’s even more encouraging is that he made two of three attempts from beyond the perimeter. Withers also showcased his abilities as a ball-handler and passer, generating an assist and one of UNC’s 11 steals.

It took Withers until January 17 this year to record his first double-double, when he scored 15 points and grabbed 10 rebounds against Louisville, where he transferred from ahead of the 2023-2024 college basketball season.

Withers’ usage in Monday’s opener also points to him having an increased role throughout the upcoming year. Withers played 22 minutes, the most out of any Tar Heel post players. Jalen Washington played 21 minutes, Vanderbilt transfer Ven-Allen Lubin played 17 and Belmont transfer Cade Tyson played 16.

Withers started 79 percent of the games he appeared in at Louisville, but has started just 10.5 percent of his games as a Tar Heel.

If Withers continues to play like he did Monday night, we’ll be hearing the North Carolina native’s name called a lot more in the starting lineup.

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RJ Davis has a very real chance to break UNC’s all-time scoring record this season

RJ Davis is pretty close to the all-time UNC scoring record. Will he break it by season’s end?

When it comes to the most efficient scorers in North Carolina Tar Heels basketball history, RJ Davis is right up there with some of the other all-time greats.

Davis is coming off his best season at UNC, averaging a career-high 21.2 points per game and being named 2024 ACC Player of the Year. Davis scored in double-digits every game but two, which included reaching another career-high, single-game point total of 42 on Feb. 26 in a 75-71 win victory over Miami (FL).

Ahead of his fifth and final season at North Carolina, Davis has a great chance to break the all-time scoring record. Davis currently has 2,088 career points, behind Sam Perkins (2,145), Phil Ford (2,290), former teammate Armando Bacot (2,347) and Tyler Hansbrough (2,872).

Given RJ’s scoring prowess, plus the fact he’s the most experienced player in Chapel Hill this year and knows the system well, I think breaking Hansbrough’s all-time record is very doable. Sure, RJ will have to ball out and play even better than last season, but that’s also not a tall ask.

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If RJ doesn’t end his season as the Tar Heels’ all-time scoring leader, though, don’t be surprised.

UNC has even more scoring help this year in freshman Ian Jackson, transfers Cade Tyson and Ven-Allen Lubin, plus Seth Trimble if he plays like he did against Memphis. Those are only a few names, as you can’t count out the likes of Drake Powell, Jalen Washington and Ven-Allen Lubin.

While I’m sure RJ would appreciate leaving Chapel Hill with a minimum 2,873 career points, I’m sure he’d rather leave with a National Championship in his back pocket.

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Seth Trimble talks about his expected 2024-2025 role

Seth Trimble is back for Year Three, one that he’s expected to take an added leadership role in. Hear what Trimble said at ACC Tipoff Thursday.

Doesn’t Seth Trimble, undoubtedly the UNC men’s basketball team’s defensive ace, scream everything it means to be a Tar Heel?

Though Trimble has only three starts over the past two seasons, he’s never complained once about his role off the bench. Trimble loves North Carolina so much, he even decided to withdraw his name from the transfer portal earlier this offseason and return for his junior year.

Trimble’s role increased significantly last season, as his minutes nearly doubled (9.7 to 17.1 minutes per game) and he set career highs in points (5.2) and rebounds (2.1) per game.

On Thursday at the ACC Tipoff event in Charlotte, N.C., Trimble spent a few minutes talking about his evolution and expectations for an even greater role this coming season, a role which is expected to include additional leadership on a younger team.

“To me, to step into a role of being a much bigger leader than I was last year and just to play a more complete game this year,” Trimble said during UNC’s ACC Tipoff press conference. “To play my game, that’s one thing that me and Coach Davis discuss all the time, is just to do me, play free, play whatever it is. I think the biggest thing I have to do this year is lead. RJ is our guy, is our leader the one we look up to. But he can’t be the only one. If he’s the only one this year won’t go well. So I really gotta step into that role.”

I witnessed a bunch of great leadership from Trimble on the court last season. When RJ Davis went out and took a breather, or when Cormac Ryan, Armando Bacot or Harrison Ingram took a breather, Trimble stood out. He acted as North Carolina’s unofficial Sixth Man, pointed where his teammates needed to be on defensive assignments and was always one of the first to celebrate a big play.

Trimble loves the Tar Heels and the Tar Heels love Trimble. We’re extremely grateful for at least one more season with the pride of Menomonee Falls.

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Start time announced for UNC basketball’s annual Blue-White Scrimmage

We now know the start time of UNC’s annual Blue-White Scrimmage, which will be held off campus this year.

Preseason for the UNC men’s basketball program will look a little bit different this coming year.

The North Carolina Tar Heels are bringing back the Blue-White Scrimmage, but with a twist.

Instead of being hosted at the Dean Dome, UNC is taking its Blue-White Scrimmage to the Harrah’s Cherokee Resort Event Center, nestled deep in the Appalachian Mountains in Western North Carolina.

This year’s Blue-White Scrimmage will be on Saturday, October 13, but fans wanting to go didn’t know the time.

Fans can now also start planning their trip to Cherokee, as earlier Thursday, UNC announced a start time of 12 p.m. ET for its Blue-White Scrimmage.

This decision will allow the Tar Heels to maximize NIL opportunities, as last year’s event was cancelled due to tighter NIL rules.

If you’re unhappy about North Carolina’s decision to hold its annual preseason basketball event off-campus, we don’t blame you.

Students can no longer walk out of their dorms and be at the Dean Dome in a matter of minutes. Fans based in Chapel Hill and the greater Triangle are no longer on campus in 30 minutes.

UNC players and coaches will be bussing roughly 4.5 hours from campus to Cherokee, which doesn’t make a ton of logistical sense.

In a college athletics world ruled by NIL money, though, this is the right decision.

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UNC basketball duo ranked amongst college basketball’s Top 25 impact freshmen

Will UNC freshman Ian Jackson and Drake Powell live up to their preseason hype?

A major reason behind the North Carolina Tar Heels’ basketball success last year was their experienced roster.

UNC carried fifth-year senior and all-time program great Armando Bacot, ACC Player of the Year RJ Davis, plus a pair of experienced transfers in Harrison Ingram and Cormac Ryan.

This year, a handful of youth talent will carry North Carolina to success. That talent is headlined by Drake Powell and Ian Jackson, a pair of 5-star freshman who also doubled up as McDonalds All-Americans.

Not only are Powell and Ian Jackson two of the most talented freshmen in the ACC, but also the entire country.

Just ask college basketball insider Jon Rothstein, who named Powell and Jackson amongst his 25 impact freshmen for the upcoming college basketball season.

First, see what Rothstein said about Powell:

“Elite athlete? Check,” Rothstein said. “Elite motor? Check. Strong physical attributes? Powell has that too. 6-7 and explosive, Powell’s tenacity should complement the Tar Heels in the open floor and on defense. This is a an intriguing piece to monitor in North Carolina’s rotation.”

Second, see Rothstein’s analysis on Jackson:

“A ridiculous offensive talent, Jackson can score from all angles on the court all while giving everything he has on defense,” Rothstein said. “He’ll form an elite perimeter troika for the Tar Heels along with freshman point guard Elliot Cadeau and National Player of the Year candidate RJ Davis.”

North Carolina will be young this year, but has the potential to make another deep run. How far can the Powell-Jackson duo carry the Tar Heels?

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RJ Davis earns a very early preseason honor

Star Tar Heels guard RJ Davis just collected more preseason All-American honors.

In his fourth season as a North Carolina Tar Heel last year, RJ Davis delivered a campaign that turned him into the ACC Player of the Year and one of the country’s top players.

Just two months ahead of UNC’s coming basketball season, Davis is already reigning preseason recognition.

On Tuesday, Sept. 4, Davis was named a preseason Blue Ribbon First Team All-American. Davis’ recognition is named after the Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook, which lists preseason rankings, predicts award-winners and is regarded as one of college basketball’s most popular books.

Davis, who led the ACC and finished 11th nationally with 21.2 points per game last year, leads a 2024-2025 North Carolina roster that returns guards Elliot Cadeau and Seth Trimble, power forward Jae’Lyn Withers and center Jalen Washington. The Tar Heels also welcome in 4-star center James Brown, plus a pair of 5-star McDonalds All-Americans in Drake Powell and Ian Jackson.

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Head coach Hubert Davis gained some recruiting wins later in the transfer portal, snagging Cade Tyson from Belmont and Ven-Allen Lubin from Vanderbilt, after top-end talent like Coleman Hawkins valued more NIL money elsewhere over a traditional program. Davis surprised Tar Heel Nation more recently, making likely his final portal addition in Tyzhaun Clause.

Davis has his sights set on something greater this coming season: leading UNC to its seventh National Championship.

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Where do Tar Heels land in college basketball insider Jon Rothstein’s preseason rankings?

Jon Rothstein knows college basketball. He’s really high on the UNC men’s basketball team in his preseason rankings.

We’re just over two months away from the start of college basketball season – and the North Carolina Tar Heels are eager to show how much they’ve improved in the offseason.

College basketball insider Jon Rothstein is high on UNC’s chances entering the 2024-2025, as he ranks UNC seventh in his “Rothstein 45” rankings.

Reigning ACC Player of the Year RJ Davis decided to stay his final season, which immediately made UNC ACC Championship contenders. Davis wasn’t the only Tar Heel to stay, as center Jalen Washington, guards Elliot Cadeau and Seth Trimble will also be back.

What North Carolina lost in Armando Bacot, Harrison Ingram and Cormac Ryan, it replaced with Ven-Allen Lubin, Cade Tyson, 5-star freshmen Ian Jackson and Drake Powell. Just when you thought the Tar Heels were done making moves, they added Georgia Tech transfer Tyzhaun Claude.

UNC will have a chance to truly prove itself in non-conference play, with a grueling schedule that includes Kansas, Dayton, Auburn/Iowa State, Alabama, Florida and UCLA.

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I agree with these rankings, except for where Iowa State and Baylor are ranked. I’m not saying North Carolina should be ranked ahead of either team, but these three are on an equal level from a talent standpoint.

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