Paulsen’s 2 HRs, 4 hits, Rose’s solid pitching lift Heels to 4th run-rule win

CHAPEL HILL — After hitting only seven home runs in the first nine games, No. 8 North Carolina showed off its power Wednesday night. Led by four hits and two home runs from Stony Brook transfer Erik Paulsen, the Tar Heels blasted three long balls in a 13–3 seven-inning victory over VCU at Boshamer Stadium, their fourth run-rule win of the season.

White’s Hornets debut vs. former team; transitions for Black, Love, Barnes; big games for Ryan, Ingram

The first week after the All-Star break has been a period of transition for a few former UNC players, with some positive and some negative outcomes. Coby White’s long wait to make his Charlotte Hornets debut finally ended; Leaky Black’s contract was converted to a two-way deal; Portland sent Caleb Love to the G League; Cole Anthony remains in limbo; and Harrison Barnes has settled into a reserve role.

Impactful halftime challenge from teammates, coaches flipped switch for Trimble

CHAPEL HILL — Seth Trimble walked into Carolina’s dressing room at halftime Saturday at Syracuse knowing something had to change. The senior guard had been drifting through what he said Monday was “a level one” scoreless first half, part of several games in which he hadn’t been himself. But everything shifted in that locker room after his teammates spoke up and the coaches challenged him.

UNC falls in AP Top 25 men’s poll; Duke takes over No. 1 spot

North Carolina slipped two spots to No. 18 in the AP Top 25 men’s poll, with Duke supplanting Michigan as the top-ranked team. UNC (21–6, 9–5 ACC) rebounded from Tuesday’s 82–58 loss at N.C. State with Henri Veesaar’s return, winning at Syracuse 77–64 on Saturday. The Tar Heels are tied for sixth in the ACC with No. 24 Louisville (20–7, 9–5), which they host at 7 p.m. Monday. The Cardinals fell three spots after losing to SMU 95–85 but beating Georgia Tech 87–70.

Plenty of NET fluctuations in ACC; UNC edges up; 2 wins downgraded, 1 upgraded

There was plenty of NET ranking movement among ACC teams after Saturday’s games, but No. 16 North Carolina wasn’t a part of that three weeks away from Selection Sunday. Logic suggests that a 77–64 win in what was supposed to be a Quad 1 win would help the Tar Heels’ NCAA tournament resume. It actually did some damage, and UNC’s NET ranking remained at 28.

More comfortable High elevating his game

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Zayden High began the season as a reserve who could spell the starters for a few possessions, but often wasn’t effective during those short chances he got. During his two starts while Henri Veesaar was out, he played well but was more of a serviceable replacement. That shifted dramatically with his performance in No. 16 North Carolina’s 77–64 victory Saturday over Syracuse.