Latest UNC bowl projections include eight possible destinations

There are eight possible bowl destinations for North Carolina, according to 10 bowl projections. Three predict the Tar Heels (6–6) facing Coastal Carolina (6–6), but each sees the matchup in a different bowl. Two predict UNC will face Army (10–1) (but in two different bowls), two have UNC playing in the Birmingham Bowl, and two see the Tar Heels headed to Detroit.

RJ Davis staying positive amid his, team’s struggles

CHAPEL HILL — This is not how RJ Davis envisioned his fifth college season starting. The reigning ACC Player of Year and consensus All-American is struggling to find his perimeter shot (career-low 24.2% from 3-point range). No. 20 Carolina (4–4) is off to its worst start in 23 years and likely will be unranked next week after Wednesday’s 94–79 loss to No. 10 Alabama extended the Tar Heels’ losing streak to three.

Jackson leads Heels but says they aren’t tough enough

CHAPEL HILL — Carolina will have to learn how to win when giving up a lot of height, but the Tar Heels didn’t show the toughness to make that happen against a long Alabama team. The No. 10 Tide’s size and length were too much for the No. 20 Tar Heels, who fell behind by double-digits in the first half for the fourth consecutive game. UNC could never mount a significant rally in a 94–79 loss Wednesday in the ACC/SEC Men’s Challenge.

Hubert Davis works to fix issues with defense, rebounding and slow starts

CHAPEL HILL — No. 20 North Carolina must change its unsustainable habit of getting into early double-digit holes. Coach Hubert Davis has spent plenty of time with his staff since losing two of three games at the Maui Invitational, trying to figure out a solution as the Tar Heels (4–3) prepare to challenge No. 10 Alabama (6–2) at 7:15 p.m. Wednesday (ESPN) in the ACC/SEC Men’s Challenge.

After going out with crushing loss, Brown says he agreed with UNC decision but not timing or how it was handled

CHAPEL HILL — His exit from Carolina wasn’t Coach Mack Brown’s preference, and the Tar Heels’ second-half defense just added to his frustrations. N.C. State scored on every drive after halftime on its way to a 35–30 victory, its fourth straight win over Carolina, on a cool evening at Kenan Stadium full of a range of emotions.

No. 16 Heels overwhelm winless NCCU with dominant effort

CHAPEL HILL — After several challenging opponents, No. 16 North Carolina returned home for the first time in 22 days for some post-Thanksgiving feasting against a winless team. N.C. Central was helpless to hold off the onslaught as the Tar Heels gorged on perimeter-shooting prowess, inside domination, tough defense and board dominance in a 119–43 victory Friday afternoon over the Eagles in Carmichael Arena.