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CHAPEL HILL — The ball slipped away for a split second, but Caleb Wilson wasn’t about to let that stand. Wilson snatched it back, gathered himself and launched a violent dunk over Winston-Salem State’s Abou Camara on a baseline drive that rattled the basket and sent the Smith Center crowd into a frenzy.
CHAPEL HILL — When Jarin Stevenson slipped on a North Carolina jersey for the first time at the Smith Center, it wasn’t just a homecoming — it was a chance to show Tar Heels fans his defensive prowess.
CHAPEL HILL — As UNC quarterback Gio Lopez continues to navigate a challenging season, he’s faced mounting criticism from fans and media. But Lopez isn’t letting the “noise” shake his confidence or distract him from the work ahead.
CHAPEL HILL — As UNC prepares for Friday night’s ACC matchup at Syracuse, Coach Bill Belichick continues to emphasize a philosophy rooted in steady, incremental improvement.
While it’s been a frustrating start for Cam Johnson with his new team in Denver, there have been some outstanding games during the first week of the season from Cole Anthony, Harrison Barnes, Walker Kessler and Day’Ron Sharpe.
Just like with the exhibition game against BYU last week, you won’t be able to flip to a television channel and watch North Carolina’s men’s exhibition game Wednesday night against Winston-Salem State.
They are only exhibition games, so it’s not wise to draw sweeping conclusions from the results. But three players who played for North Carolina last season — Cade Tyson, Elliot Cadeau and Ian Jackson — have certainly had contrasting preseasons.
Twenty years ago, the last time a ranked Virginia team faced an unranked North Carolina squad, the result was a 7–5 rock fight that ranks among the worst games in ACC football history. History did not quite repeat itself as the rock fight between the Tar Heels and Cavaliers did not rise (or sink) to the level of the 2005 tilt in Kenan Stadium; it was far from a thing of beauty.
North Carolina continues to lose in heartbreaking fashion, this time missing a potential game-winning two-point conversion by inches. After matching Virginia’s touchdown in the first overtime, the Tar Heels went for two and quarterback Gio Lopez passed to Benjamin Hall, whose knee went down just before he got the ball over the goal line.
SALT LAKE CITY — Arizona transfer Henri Veesaar wasn’t ready to hand out compliments after No. 25 North Carolina’s 78–76 exhibition loss to No. 8 BYU on Friday night. The 7-foot center put up 14 points, eight rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block — but his focus was squarely on what went wrong, not how close the game was.
SALT LAKE CITY — There was plenty to like as No. 25 North Carolina battled No. 8 BYU down to the wire, but too many careless turnovers kept the Tar Heels from pulling off an exhibition upset Friday night.
For Ciera Toomey, the word that defines her redshirt sophomore season will be confidence.
With Alyssa Ustby and Maria Gakdeng gone, center Blanca Thomas knows the expectations are rising and a big sophomore leap will be needed if No. 11 North Carolina is going to come close to being as good inside as last season.
With one of the youngest teams in the country, UNC coach Courtney Banghart is embracing the challenge of building chemistry and identity with a roster full of fresh faces and new roles.
Drake Powell made his NBA debut in his home state with his parents watching from the stands in a game that didn’t go that well for his Brooklyn Nets, but featured a strong performance from teammate Day’Ron Sharpe.
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