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UNC to face Illinois in January men’s basketball matchup in Nashville
North Carolina and Illinois, two programs with national ambitions and a shared history on college basketball’s biggest stages, will meet Jan. 30 in the Nashville Hoops Showdown at Bridgestone Arena. The late-season non-conference matchup will bring together two teams expected to contend for league championships, adding a marquee national test in the middle of conference play. Game time and television information will be announced later.
UNC, N.C. State to play non-conference men’s basketball game in Greensboro
The North Carolina–N.C. State men’s basketball rivalry appears set to get an extra venue next season, and a familiar one for ACC fans.
UNC promotes Murray Burrus to Director of Women’s Basketball
Jaelynn Murray Burrus’ Carolina story has already taken her from player to captain, from graduate student to staff member, and now into one of the program’s key leadership roles at a pivotal moment in college athletics. After three years on North Carolina’s women’s basketball staff as assistant director of recruiting operations, Murray Burrus was elevated Thursday to Director of Women’s Basketball, giving the former Tar Heel forward an expanded role in a program she has helped shape from multiple vantage points.
All-Big South outfielder Blaize Johnson commits to UNC
North Carolina added a productive in-state outfielder through the transfer portal with a commitment from UNC Asheville sophomore outfielder Blaize Johnson. The Kernersville native and first-team All-Big South selection announced his decision in a late Tuesday post on X (formerly Twitter).
Veesaar’s NBA bet likely comes with steep short-term price after falling to No. 52 pick
Henri Veesaar bet on himself, on his development and on the idea that the best path to becoming a productive NBA player is to start his pro career next season. In the long run, he may still be right. In the short term, though, draft night made that decision look costly financially.
Carolina would get veteran backcourt reserve if it can lure Buffalo transfer Brizzi
Coach Michael Malone is still looking for another reserve guard to fill out the roster of his first Carolina team, and one possibility is Buffalo transfer Angelo Brizzi, who began his college career at Villanova. Brizzi, 6–3, 193, who visited UNC this week according to multiple reports, would be a valued addition as an older guard who has seen multiple systems, can handle the ball, can make perimeter shots and would not need the ball or the spotlight.
Wilson follows Jordan’s path to Chicago, wants to ‘be better than Mike’
Caleb Wilson is headed from Chapel Hill to Chicago, joining one of the NBA’s most iconic franchises and following the path of the most famous Tar Heel in Michael Jordan. The moment Tuesday night in Brooklyn, when the Chicago Bulls made Wilson the No. 4 overall pick in the NBA draft, carried added meaning because former Carolina coach Hubert Davis was at the Barclays Center to share it with him.
UNC’s pain was about more than final score
OMAHA, Neb. — As Oklahoma celebrated on the field, North Carolina players lingered in the third-base dugout, still processing how their amazing run to Omaha ended with such frustration. The Tar Heels weren’t belaboring the 13–2 loss to Oklahoma in Game 3 of the CWS Finals as much as remembering the togetherness and love shared on a team that will never play together again as an entire group.
Video, transcript: UNC press conference after Game 3 loss to Oklahoma
OMAHA, Neb. — Here is a complete transcript and video from No. 4-ranked North Carolina’s press conference after Game 3 loss to Oklahoma in the College World Series Finals, with Coach Scott Forbes, Gavin Gallaher and Matthew Matthijs.
Mistakes, pitching issues end UNC’s title dreams early
OMAHA, Neb. — The national title dreams of North Carolina vanished early Monday as the frustrations piled up. After an early baserunning mistake cost the Tar Heels a run, the pitching plan went awry, creating the biggest deficit of the season against the hottest team in the country.
Freshman lefty Rose starts deciding Game 3 against Oklahoma
OMAHA, Neb. — Scott Forbes is giving the ball to freshman left-hander Jackson Rose in Monday night’s battle with Oklahoma for the national championship. The Tar Heels will head into Monday’s 7:09 p.m. (ESPN) winner-take-all Game 3 of the College World Series Finals with what Forbes called an “all hands on deck” approach on the mound after Rose, one shaped by trust in a pitching staff that has carried a heavy load through Omaha and a roster that has responded all season when the stakes have risen.
A son’s strength, a dad’s legacy: Emotional Paulsen lifts UNC on Father’s Day
OMAHA, Neb. — It was a special and emotional Father’s Day victory for Carolina first baseman Erik Paulsen. When Scott Forbes, the coach who convinced him to leave his home area in New York, away from his family, and play at UNC, talked about it afterward, he had to pause because he got so emotional.
Video, transcript: UNC press conference after Game 2 win at the College World Series Finals
OMAHA, Neb. — Here is a complete transcript and video from No. 4-ranked North Carolina’s press conference after the Tar Heels’ Game 2 victory in the College World Series Finals against Oklahoma, with Coach Scott Forbes, Caden Glauber, Cooper Nicholson and Erik Paulsen.
Pitching, power put Heels win away from national championship
OMAHA, Neb. — For the first time in 20 years, North Carolina is a win away from the program’s first national championship. Dominant pitching and timely hitting powered the No. 4 Tar Heels to a 6–2 victory Sunday at Charles Schwab Field Omaha over Oklahoma in Game 2 of the College World Series Finals to force a deciding game for the national championship.
Video, transcript: UNC press conference after Game 1 loss in the College World Series Finals
OMAHA, Neb. — Here is a complete transcript and video from No. 4-ranked North Carolina’s press conference after the Tar Heels’ Game 1 loss in the College World Series Finals against Oklahoma, with Coach Scott Forbes, Jason DeCaro and Jake Schaffner.