No. 12 UNC gets more efficiency from Ustby, many other good efforts in rout of TCU

CHAPEL HILL — The model of efficiency through two games is Carolina’s do-everything wing Alyssa Ustby. The talented junior, who showed in the offseason that her talents include kicking field goals at Kenan Stadium, said she was “a little banged up” after her September participation on the United States three-on-three team in Romania and summer workouts. That limited her in the preseason and led to minutes restrictions. She’s making the most of every minute. Ustby scored 14 points in 18 minutes Saturday as No. 12 Carolina (2–0) took control in the second quarter and cruised to a 75–48 victory over TCU (1–1).

Love, Bacot turn up offense after halftime, push No. 1 UNC by Charleston

By R.L. Bynum CHAPEL HILL — Second-half Caleb Love scoring surges were magical last season, and he shot top-ranked Carolina … More

Watching No. 1 UNC on TV Friday could be a challenge

Depending on where you live and your television provider, it may be a challenge to watch top-ranked Carolina’s game Friday night against College of Charleston. The 7:04 p.m. game will be one of only two UNC men’s games all season that will air on regional sports networks, which aren’t wide availability. Your regional sports network depends on where you live, with the possibilities including Bally Sports regional networks, MASN, NESN and Yes Network.

UNC to honor Rosenbluth at halftime of Friday’s game

There will be a special halftime ceremony Friday night that no Tar Heels fan will want to miss. Carolina will honor Lennie Rosenbluth, the legendary star of the storied 1957 national championship team, at halftime of the College of Charleston game at the Smith Center, where his retired No. 10 jersey hangs from the rafters.

UNC moves up in CFP rankings but path to Orange Bowl gets tougher

North Carolina, which moved up two spots in the College Football Playoff rankings to No. 15 on Tuesday, has a more difficult path to the Orange Bowl, thanks to Clemson’s blowout loss at Notre Dame. The Tar Heels (8–1, 5–0 ACC) can clinch the Coastal Division title and an ACC championship game matchup on Dec. 3 in Charlotte with the Tigers if they can win at Wake Forest (6–3, 2–3) at 7:30 Saturday night (ESPN2). Carolina also clinches if Virginia Tech beats Duke and Miami defeats Georgia Tech.

UNC uses 7-man rotation to get past pesky UNCW

CHAPEL HILL — Coach Hubert Davis talked a lot about wanting to use his depth this season after leaning on his starters during the Final Four run and playing a tight rotation. He may still use a deeper rotation this season. But against a physical and aggressive UNCW team that won 27 games a year ago, that didn’t happen.

FSU stifles UNC offensively as Noles win third straight ACC women’s soccer title

CARY — Carolina has the women’s soccer tradition, but Florida State again showed that it continues to be the team to beat for now. The No. 5-ranked and No. 2-seed Seminoles rallied from a goal down early to beat the No. 2-ranked and No. 1-seed Tar Heels 2–1 Sunday for their third consecutive ACC tournament title before 3,876 fans.

Closing in on Coastal title, UNC moves up on AP Top 25

North Carolina, a win away from clinching the last ACC Coastal Division title, moved up two spots to No. 15 in the latest AP Top 25 poll. The Tar Heels (8–1, 5–0 ACC) can put away the Coastal title and a spot in the Dec. 3 ACC championship game against Clemson (8–1, 6–0) with a victory at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Wake Forest (6–3, 2–3). While UNC comes off a 31–28 road win over Virginia, the Demon Deacons lost at N.C. State 30–21.

Downs snags momentum for UNC, as Heels hold on for fifth win in row

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Needing to take control of a sluggish offensive effort, Drake Maye put the ball in the hands of his best receiver. Junior wide receiver Josh Downs came up with three huge catches on a pivotal third-quarter drive to give No. 17 North Carolina the lead.

Davis says Trimble’s on-the-ball defense best he’s seen since joining UNC staff

CHAPEL HILL — Sometimes, it takes freshmen a while to learn the importance of playing good defense, and turning that realization into action in games takes even longer. You could check off both those boxes for freshman guard Seth Trimble before he even arrived on Carolina’s campus earlier this year, and he only turned 18 in August.

Carolina No. 17 in the first College Football Playoff rankings

The streaking Carolina football team is No. 17 in the first College Football Playoff rankings of the season, released on Tuesday night, the 13th time the Tar Heels have made the ranking and the third time they’ve made the initial rankings. The Tar Heels, ranked No. 17 in the AP Top 25 and No. 15 in the USA Today Coaches Poll, were last in the CFP ranking as the No. 13 team on selection day Dec. 20, 2020, when they earned a berth in the Orange Bowl.

Bilas says that the massive UNC expectations won’t faze Hubert Davis

There might be pressure on Hubert Davis this season with four returning starters from a Final Four team, but Jay Bilas said he doesn’t think that will faze his former ESPN colleague. During ESPN press availability on Tuesday, Bilas said that Davis should have no trouble handling the expectations of being preseason No. 1 and the favorite to win the ACC.

Maye’s eye-popping statistics, amazing play as a freshman demand Heisman consideration

It’s been 73 seasons since a Carolina player had a solid chance of winning the Heisman Trophy, but week by week, Drake Maye is throwing history for a loop. Not since legendary running back Charlie “Choo Choo” Justice finished second in the Heisman voting in 1948 and 1949 (and probably should have won it) has a Tar Heel earned his way into the Heisman Trophy discussion this far into the season. To do it as a redshirt freshman is even more remarkable.

UNC’s jump in AP football poll gives program best 3-year rankings stretch in 39 years

By R.L. Bynum North Carolina is well on its way to earning the last ACC Coastal Division title, and the … More

UNC rallies for huge win over Pitt to take control of Coastal race

CHAPEL HILL — No matter how many mistakes Carolina’s defense makes, redshirt freshman quarterback Drake Maye always seems to find a way. It sure helps to have two dynamic wide receivers in senior Antoine Green and junior Josh Downs. Once again, the No. 21 Tar Heels’ defense made enough big second-half plays to keep the momentum going on what is developing into a season that might be special.