Smith Center debate is Carolina’s identity crisis

As UNC Chancellor Lee Roberts and the Board of Trustees advance plans for the Carolina North campus expansion off MLK Drive, a familiar debate has resurfaced with new urgency: what should happen to the Dean E. Smith Center? The question of whether to renovate the storied arena or build a new facility at Carolina North has been divisive, with prominent voices, including former coach Roy Williams and numerous program alumni, launching a passionate campaign to preserve and renovate the Smith Center rather than relocate.

Cadeau, Lubin spark wins; Nickel solid but can’t end Vandy skid; Jackson scoreless in win

While Elliot Cadeau set No. 3 Michigan’s tone early Tuesday, Ven‑Allen Lubin steadied N.C. State late, Vanderbilt’s rough patch continued despite a solid game from Tyler Nickel and St. John’s won despite Ian Jackson going scoreless.

Notre Dame at No. 22 UNC: TV info, stats, scouting Irish, keys to game, comparisons and notes

Here’s a look at the No. 22 North Carolina’s home game against Notre Dame on Wednesday night.

Roy Williams passionately urges UNC to renovate Smith Center, cites Dean Smith’s wishes

There are many opinions on the best option for North Carolina men’s basketball’s next home to replace the 40-year-old Smith Center, which lacks many modern amenities. Add one strong and legendary voice to that debate. Roy Williams made it clear in a video released on Monday that he’s in favor of renovating the Smith Center, rather than other options that have been mentioned, including building a new arena in Chapel Hill North or where the Bowles Lot now sits.

Tar Heels in pros: Powell starting, playing well; big games for Love, Ryan, Davis, Black and Ingram

Drake Powell hit several injury-related bumps early in his rookie season, but he has settled into a rhythm at both ends of the floor and played his way into the Brooklyn Nets’ starting lineup.

Davis stresses accountability as UNC tries to rebound from defensive struggles

After North Carolina dropped three of its last four games, Coach Hubert Davis emphasized one theme above all: accountability, on both ends of the floor and in every phase of the game.

UNC plummets in AP Top 25 men’s poll

After two losses in Northern California last week, North Carolina plummeted eight spots to No. 22 in the latest AP Top 25 men’s poll.

Wilson gets alarmingly few shots down stretch in last four games

It’s a troubling pattern when one of the best freshmen in the country and a first-round NBA draft pick doesn’t get many shots down the stretch. In the last four games, Caleb Wilson’s shots have been hard to come by. Teams have been double-teaming the sensational forward all season, but Carolina is having particular issues getting him the ball when the Tar Heels have needed points in key stretches.

Puff Johnson eligible at Ohio State; Vandy unbeaten streak ends; contrasting games for Cadeau, Jackson; Shaver career-high

On a week that Tyler Nickel and Jalen Washington dealt with Vanderbilt’s unbeaten streak ending and Elliot Cadeau and Ian Jackson each had contrasting performances in wins, Puff Johnson’s long wait to get on the Ohio State roster finally ended.

ESPN says ‘technical issue’ led fans to miss large chunk of UNC-Cal game

The frustration of watching North Carolina fall behind by 20 points at Cal on Saturday wasn’t the only maddening experience for Tar Heels fans on Saturday.

Banghart sees ‘growth steps’ as UNC extends FT conversion streak to 19, finds perimeter range in blowout at FSU

North Carolina will likely lose the tag as the worst free-throw shooting team in the ACC after back-to-back perfect games from the line. The issues that loomed large in some close losses earlier this season were nowhere to be found in the Tar Heels’ 82–55 victory over Florida State on Sunday at the Tucker Center in Tallahassee, Fla., after extending their streak of free-throw conversions to 19.

UNC moves up in NET rankings after Quad 1 loss at Cal

The NET rankings can be confounding, but that was good for North Carolina after it lost a second Quad 1 game in Northern California. The Tar Heels’ NET ranking fell to a season-low 30 after Wednesday’s 95–90 loss at Stanford, but moved up to 29 after Saturday’s 84–78 defeat at California to fall to 3–4 in Quad 1 games. The Bears (14–5, 2–4) jumped 10 spots to 59 in the NET after the Quad 1 victory.

Trimble says it’s just ‘bump in road,’ and it’s about manning up

BERKELEY, Calif. — Seth Trimble didn’t dance around North Carolina’s problems after Saturday’s 84–78 loss at Cal. He described a group learning in real time how to respond when the plan goes awry, voices get quiet, and the opponents keep making shots.

UNC’s furious rally falls short as recurring issues push Heels toward NCAA bubble

BERKELEY, Calif. — By the time North Carolina addressed its biggest issues — defense, rebounding and free-throw shooting — it was too late, even after an electric rally that put Cal on its heels. The Tar Heels dug a 20-point hole with defensive breakdowns that felt all too familiar, as communication contributed to many open 3-pointers.