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New arena $20 million less, but Cunningham says emotional factors complicate decision
If the decision on whether to renovate the Smith Center or build a new arena for Carolina’s basketball teams were purely financial, it would be easy. Athletics Director Bubba Cunningham, in the first episode of the “Arena Discussion” podcast, said it would cost $20 million less to build a new arena, but the emotional component makes the decision much more challenging.
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.
Black belt Hull, who brings speed, ‘killer instinct,’ leads UNC rout
CHAPEL HILL — Owen Hull continues a recent tradition of speedy North Carolina center fielders, and brings an extra edge. The hits had been slow to come for the George Mason transfer, who stole 42 bases last season, but he stacked them in the No. 8 Tar Heels’ 9–1 victory Tuesday at Boshamer Stadium over N.C. A&T.
UNC moves up in NET after sixth Quad 1 victory, mostly projected as No. 6 seed
No. 18 North Carolina moved up two spots in the NET rankings after the Tar Heels earned their sixth Quad 1 game of the season Monday night.
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.
Aggressive Trimble ‘huge force’ in impressive victory
CHAPEL HILL — The toughness, grit and intensity, led by Seth Trimble, showed how good North Carolina can be, even without star Caleb Wilson. Trimble was flying, literally at times, on his way to a career-high 30 points as the No. 18 Tar Heels held on for a huge Quad 1 win, 77–74, over No. 24 Louisville on Monday at the Smith Center.
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.
Hull’s career day leads UNC’s record-tying perimeter show in romp
CHAPEL HILL — The blueprint to match the best 3-point shooting game in program history isn’t going 1 of 10 in the first quarter. But when you have a “blowtorch” at your disposal, that slow start can be erased in a hurry.
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.
Transfer tracker: Big games for Tyson, Washington; Cadeau’s 4th straight loss to Duke; Jackson injured
It was a week full of ups and downs for former UNC players, highlighted by big games for Cade Tyson and Jalen Washington, but it also included a season-low game for Tyler Nickel, Elliot Cadeau’s fourth straight loss to Duke and an injury to Ian Jackson.
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.
Veesaar feels ‘great’ after dealing with 10 days of treatment, rest
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — For 10 days, Henri Veesaar could only watch. An Achilles flare-up after the Miami game on Feb. 10 forced Carolina’s 7-footer to the sideline. There were no practices between that game and Friday. No rhythm. Just treatment, patience and the hope that he’d feel like himself again before the postseason push.
Veesaar changes UNC’s geometry at both ends, leads huge bounce-back win
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Henri Veesaar was back, and so was No. 16 North Carolina’s rhythm on both ends in a bounce-back win the Tar Heels badly needed. It wasn’t all pretty in a game that would have been more difficult against a better team, but UNC rebounded from Tuesday’s demoralizing loss, pushing the tempo in a 77–64 victory Saturday over Syracuse at the JMA Wireless Dome.
Davis gives updates on Wilson, Veesaar, as he ponders roster puzzle
As Hubert Davis prepares his team for Saturday’s rematch at Syracuse, the challenge isn’t just about X’s and O’s but also figuring out what he calls a puzzle.
With Caleb Wilson out and Henri Veesaar questionable, No. 16 Carolina (20–6, 8–5) faces the possibility of playing without both for the third consecutive game.