Tag: North Carolina Tar Heels Basketball

Cade Tyson’s career breakout game vs. La Salle fueled by UNC teammates, extra work

Cade Tyson gave UNC a performance to remember Saturday against La Salle.

You never know what you’ll get from the North Carolina Tar Heels in any given basketball game.

One day, it’ll be fastbreak opportunities leading UNC to victory. The next, it’ll be Ven-Allen Lubin taking over the post. 3-point shooting and lack of height cost North Carolina in past defeats.

On Saturday, December 14 in the Tar Heels’ dominant, 93-67 victory over the La Salle Explorers, junior Cade Tyson rose to the occasion and delivered a career performance.

Tyson, the Belmont (Tenn.) University transfer who Hubert Davis recruited largely because of his perimeter shooting abilities, poured in a UNC-best 23 points off the bench.

In 21 minutes, Tyson made nine of his 14 shot attempts, including a 5-of-10 mark from downtown. Tyson’s individual highlights including making two, second-half 3-pointers in under a minute, plus a late dunk in which he shook the backboard.

“I never know what’s going to happen when I go into the game,” Tyson said in postgame interviews. “I kind of just let it fly today. I just try and control the controllables, but I felt good all week, just due to my extra work off the court and on the court as well. My teammates did a great job setting me up today and, thankfully, some shots went in.”

Tyson’s career day was a microcosm of North Carolina’s efficient offense, which shot 53.7 percent from the field. RJ Davis (13 points), Seth Trimble and Ven-Allen Lubin (10 points each) joined Tyson in double-figures.

The Tar Heels will need every bit of today’s Cade Tyson on Tuesday, Dec. 17 when it faces undefeated Florida in the Jumpman Invitational. UNC should seriously consider starting the 6’7″ Tyson, as he gives UNC a Stretch Four that creates issues for the opposition.

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UNC basketball dominates La Salle from opening tip in Saturday non-conference clash

UNC turned in its best performance of the basketball season to dominate La Salle on Saturday in Chapel Hill.

After barely squeaking by Georgia Tech last weekend, the North Carolina Tar Heels desperately needed a big win against La Salle on Saturday afternoon.

Thanks to its bench stepping up, players sharing the ball efficiently and an afternoon in which it outplayed its opponent in the paint, UNC got that dominant victory it so desperately craved.

North Carolina started slow against the visiting Explorers, but quickly overpowered them in a93-67 win.

The Tar Heels (6-4, 1-0 ACC) outplayed La Salle (6-5) in virtually every aspect, but they did something they struggled to do consistently through their first nine games: shoot the ball well.

UNC finished with a 53.7 shooting percentage, starting the game 9-of-17. North Carolina starters Seth Trimble, Drake Powell and Ven-Allen Lubin all shot at least 50 percent, with Lubin going a perfect 4-for-4 and scoring 10 points, tying his previous season-high set against Auburn in the Maui Invitational.

The best Tar Heel on the court Saturday? Belmont transfer Cade Tyson, who led a deep, productive bench unit with a season-high 23 points. There was one stretch in the second half where Tyson hit two 3-pointers in less than a minute, much to the avail of the Carolina faithful.

UNC rebounded the ball well against the visiting Explorers, ending the day with a 47-36 advantage. Every North Carolina starter recorded at least one, four starters grabbed multiple boards and Trimble led the way with eight.

Saturday was a result we expected the Tar Heels to deliver all along. With Florida in the Jumpman Invitational coming up on Tuesday, UNC re-assured our confidence in its ability to win, even if it was just for a day.

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Bill Belichick officially welcomed to Chapel Hill at halftime of UNC-La Salle basketball

The Dean Dome crowd was treated to a special surprise at halftime of UNC-LaSalle on Saturday.

The North Carolina Tar Heels are the talk of the sports world right now – and surprisingly, it has nothing to do with basketball.

On Wednesday, December 11, UNC hired NFL legend Bill Belichick to be its next head football coach. North Carolina showed initial interest in the likes of Tulane’s Jon Sumrall, Iowa State’s Matt Campbell and came close to hiring Tommy Rees, the former Notre Dame quarterback.

It was Belichick, though – with his winning mentality, continued passion for coaching and desire to get back on the sidelines – that led the Tar Heels to hire him.

On Saturday, Dec. 14 at halftime of the UNC-La Salle basketball game, North Carolina officially welcomed Belichick to the entire Dean Dome crowd.

Everyone in attendance greeted Belichick with a roar of applause – expectedly so. The Tar Heels go from one of the ACC’s most mediocre programs, to one that is now expected to contend for conference championships – and hopefully, CFP national titles.

UNC is already seeing the effects of hiring Belichick. 2024 starting offensive linemen Austin Blaske and Aidan Banfield pulled themselves out of the transfer portal. 5-star transfer portal prospects are planning visits to Chapel Hill.

Also on Saturday, 4-star quarterback Bryce Baker confirmed he will remain a Tar Heel – and plans to sign on Wednesday, Dec. 18. Baker joined Belichick on the court at halftime.

The moves aren’t anywhere close to being over yet. Belichick wants to turn North Carolina into an NFL-style program, previously saying UNC will turn into an NFL pathway. This means that the top talent out there, both in high school and the portal, should seriously consider Carolina Blue.

After all, every college football player’s dream is to make the NFL. So why not come play for Belichick?

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UNC basketball has just two Class of 2025 targets left after AJ Dybantsa’s BYU commitment

AJ Dybantsa’s commitment leaves the UNC basketball 2025 recruiting class ultra-thin.

The North Carolina Tar Heels only have two basketball stars locked up in their 2025 recruiting class – and just two targets remaining.

UNC lost its greatest target on Tuesday, Dec. 10, when the Class of 2025’s top-ranked player in AJ Dybantsa chose BYU.

Dybantsa currently plays his high school ball at Utah Prep, so I can understand his choice if location was a factor, but there are rumors Dybantsa also chose a $7 million NIL bag.

With Dybantsa now gone, North Carolina now needs to focus all its 2025 recruiting attention on Caleb Wilson, a 5-star power forward from Atlanta, Ga.

Wilson, who plays his high school ball at Holy Innocents Episcopal School, is the Class of 2025’s fifth-ranked player. Wilson is the nation’s third-ranked power forward, plus Georgia’s top overall player.

The Tar Heels already have commitments from 4-star combo guards Isaiah Denis and Derek Dixon, but they have yet to land a 5-star.

UNC hasn’t totally bombed in Class of 2025 recruiting, but it has lost out on two of its greatest targets. In addition to losing out on Dybantsa, North Carolina previously watched Jasper Johnson commit to Kentucky.

If the Tar Heels’ original 2025 class was based on offers alone, they’d have one of the nation’s best, but sadly, we are in a recruiting era where kids are choosing money over tradition.

I can’t blame recruits for chasing a bag, as they’ll be setting themselves (and their families) up for a better future. NIL is helping less-established programs lure in top-recruits, such as BYU with Dybantsa, but it’s also turning college sports more professional.

If UNC lands Wilson and Nate Ament, UNC’s other Class of 2025 target, its Dybantsa miss matters a lot less. If Wilson – and/or Ament – choose elsewhere, Hubert Davis will have to seriously reconsider his recruiting efforts.

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UNC basketball to visit 5-star Class of 2026 target after AJ Dybantsa miss

Can UNC land its first Class of 2026 basketball commitment on Wednesday?

The North Carolina Tar Heels failed to land a commitment from AJ Dybantsa, the Class of 2025’s top-ranked player, but that isn’t stopping them from continuing along the recruiting trail.

UNC’s next focus now appears to be on the 2026 recruiting class, with an upcoming visit for one of the class’ top players.

On Tuesday, Dec. 10, North Carolina announced that it will pay 5-star point guard Deron Rippey Jr. a visit.

Rippey, a junior who plays his high school basketball at Blair Academy in Blairstown, New Jersey, is the Class of 2026’s 21st-ranked player. Rippey is also the country’s fifth-ranked point guard, plus the top-ranked player in New Jersey.

UNC won’t be the only program in attendance Wednesday, as ACC rival Syracuse announced its plan to visit Rippey.

If the Tar Heels offer Rippey after their visit, he’ll be their seventh. North Carolina has already offered six other 5-star recruits: power forward Tyran Stokes, small forwards Cameron Holmes, Caleb Holt and in-state talent Cole Cloer, shooting guard Jordan Smith and power forward Miikka Muurinen.

UNC showed its ability to land top-end talent in its 2024 recruiting class, with 5-star McDonalds All-Americans Drake Powell and Ian Jackson choosing to play their college ball in Chapel Hill. High school standouts still want to become Tar Heels, but in today’s NIL era, money is seemingly more important to them.

When Hubert Davis is up in New Jersey visiting Rippey, he needs to find a way to convince Rippey that North Carolina is still a highly-sought-after college basketball destination.

UNC has the championships, NCAA Tournament appearances and tradition that some of these other programs – in this case, BYU – doesn’t have. Other programs might be able to offer high schoolers more money, only for those players to transfer or turn pro after one year.

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Two former Tar Heels face off in NBA G-League action Saturday

Harrison Ingram and Armando Bacot went head-to-head on Saturday night.

It’s no secret the North Carolina Tar Heels miss the production Armando Bacot and Harrison Ingram gave them on the basketball court.

Bacot and Ingram only played together at UNC during the 2023-2024 season, but their combined presence was a headache for opponents. Bacot backed opposing centers to the hoop with his strength, finishing them off with dunks or easy layups, while Ingram could score inside or knock down 3-pointers.

Both Bacot and Ingram are now playing professional basketball – deservedly so. On Saturday, Dec. 7, Bacot and Ingram faced off against each other in NBA G-League action.

Bacot got the best of Ingram in the matchup of former North Carolina teammates, as Bacot blocked Ingram’s layup attempt early in the first half.

The San Antonio Spurs selected Harrison Ingram 48th overall (second round) in June’s NBA Draft, though he is now playing for the Austin Spurs in the NBA G-League. Armando Bacot plays for the Memphis Hustle, the Memphis Grizzlies’ G-League affiliate.

https://x.com/MemphisHustle/status/1865565863081922703

Bacot and the Hustle won a close, high-scoring contest by a 100-96 margin. Bacot enjoyed quite the outing in 34 minutes as a starter, recording yet another double-double by scoring a team-high 17 points and grabbing 13 rebounds.

Ingram didn’t fare as well in his start, scoring just five points on 2-of-9 shooting. Ingram did pull down 10 rebounds, though, leading his Spurs teammates.

In Chapel Hill, Bacot and Ingram helped lead the Tar Heels to a Sweet 16 appearance in March. Bacot averaged a double-double of 14.5 points and 10.3 rebounds per game, while Ingram averaged 12.2 points and 8.8 rebounds per game.

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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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