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Coby White gives Donovan, one possible UNC target, high marks
Billy Donovan has been one of the prominent coaches mentioned in North Carolina’s coaching search, and the Chicago Bulls coach gets high marks from one of the Tar Heels’ most popular former stars. In an interview conducted last month when Coby White returned to Chicago with the Charlotte Hornets, the guard, who was second-team All-ACC in 2019, said that Donovan isn’t easy on young players but makes them better.
Kenny Smith wants next coach to ‘retire as a Tar Heel,’ says suggestions it should be him ‘disrespectful’
Kenny Smith had strong opinions on Thursday about the significant transition for the Carolina basketball in the wake of Hubert Davis’ firing, saying he wants the next coach to “retire as a Tar Heel.” He made it clear that the program is facing more than just a coaching search. To him, it is a defining moment about identity, continuity and loyalty. UNC clearly will be looking outside the “Carolina family,” and that didn’t sit well with him.
Heavy underdog, UNC tunes out noise, focuses on its plan
FORT WORTH, Texas — Few people nationally give No. 15 North Carolina much of a chance against No. 1 UConn, which arrives at the Sweet 16 riding a 52‑game win streak after a 53-point win. Inside the Tar Heels’ locker room, the talk sounds nothing like the outside noise. It centers on habits, tempo control and making every possession matter.
UNC faces huge challenges stopping UConn All-Americans Fudd, Strong
FORT WORTH, Texas — Indya Nivar has made a career of chasing scorers, reading screens, and turning hot hands into quiet ones. The senior’s next task in the Sweet 16 at 5 p.m. ET Friday at Dickies Arena against No. 1 UConn will be one of the most challenging in her North Carolina career.
No. 15 UNC vs. No. 1 UConn: TV info, stats, scouting Huskies, keys to game, comparisons and notes
Here’s a look at Friday’s Sweet 16 matchup between No. 4-seed North Carolina and No. 1-seed UConn.
Transcript, video from UNC’s pre-Sweet 16 press conference ahead of game with UConn
FORT WORTH, Texas — Here is the complete transcript and video from No. 15-ranked North Carolina’s press conference Thursday ahead of its Sweet 16 matchup against No. 1 UConn, with Coach Courtney Banghart, Lanie Grant and Indya Nivar. Additionally, video from dressing-room interviews with Nyla Harris, Ciera Toomey, Elina Aarnisalo, and Nyla Brooks and video from the first part of practice and video from UConn’s press conference.
Donovan would give UNC elite, Hall of Fame coach with proven record
North Carolina is swinging for the fences to secure an elite replacement for Hubert Davis, and one of those targets who fits that description is Billy Donovan. Like Dean Smith and Roy Williams, Donovan is in the Basketball Hall of Fame. He built an SEC power at Florida and then spent the last decade proving he can navigate the egos and analytics of the NBA.
Arizona’s Lloyd, with ties to 3 Tar Heels, one likely UNC target
Tommy Lloyd is emerging as one of the top candidates in North Carolina’s coaching search. He’s gained a high profile at Arizona and built a national program in Tucson, Ariz., where his Wildcats were No. 1 for much of the season.
Lloyd won’t come cheaply, though, with an $11-million buyout if he leaves before April 15. Lloyd is signed through the 2029–30 season, earning roughly $4.4 million annually plus $700,000 in supplemental-duties compensation.
Cunningham, Newmark detail discussions that led to Davis’ firing, timeline for hiring next coach
North Carolina will look for a coach who can continue the legacy of the program while winning more consistently, but will take the time to get the right person. That was the message from Director of Athletics Bubba Cunningham and Executive Associate Athletic Director Steve Newmark on the “Carolina Insider’’ podcast episode recorded late Tuesday night and released Wednesday morning.
White ties season-high for streaking Hornets; Love nets season-high 33; 27th Ingram double-double
Coming home has meant coming off the bench for Coby White, but also playing his best basketball of the season for the streaking Charlotte Hornets. White scored a season-high 27 points once in 29 games this season for the Chicago Bulls, but has matched that twice in the last three games, all at home, and the Hornets have won four games in a row.
Hiring an established college coach could be pricey for UNC
UNC’s transition from Hubert Davis to the next coach could be pricey, given the buyout costs for some of the school’s potential targets.
Davis fired as UNC’s coach, ending up-and-down five-year tenure
Hubert Davis was fired as North Carolina’s men’s basketball coach Tuesday, concluding five seasons that opened with a charge to the 2022 national championship game and ended amid intensifying scrutiny after two consecutive round-of-64 exits.
Belichick says ‘we have our team now,’ not playing catch-up like last year
As North Carolina opened its second spring practice under coach Bill Belichick, the veteran coach said the program is better positioned this time around, largely because of continuity that simply did not exist a year ago.
Transfer tracker: Cadeau, Jackson, Key head to Sweet 16; college careers of Lubin, Nickel and Washington end in heartbreak
Elliot Cadeau, Ian Jackson and Teonni Key are headed to the Sweet 16 to face familiar foes they’ve never beaten. Meanwhile, the college careers of Ven-Allen Lubin, Tyler Nickel and Jalen Washington came to heartbreaking ends in the NCAA tournament.
UNC faces No. 1 UConn in Sweet 16 after unbeaten Huskies thump Syracuse for 52nd straight win
The monumental challenge that No. 15 North Carolina knew was likely ahead in the Sweet 16 is official. The Tar Heels (28–7) will have the daunting challenge of meeting No. 1 UConn (36–0), which will take a 52-game win streak into Friday’s matchup in the Fort Worth 1 Regional after earning its 32nd consecutive Sweet 16 trip.