UNC basketball is 10 games into its 31-game schedule in the regular season.
Ranked No. 15 in the USA TODAY Sports coaches poll and No. 14 in the AP Top 25, the Tar Heels (9-1) are off to their best 10-game start since the 2017-18 season.
Here are 10 thoughts on the Tar Heels through 10 games in the 2025-26 season.
UNC basketball NCAA Tournament resume, NET ranking is good
The Tar Heels have put themselves in position to avoid bubble talk and welcome the conversations around the possibility of earning a top-four seed in the 2026 NCAA Tournament. After a 1-12 record in Quadrant 1 games last season, UNC is 2-1 in Q1 games and 20th in the NET rankings as of Dec. 14. According to EvanMiya’s metrics, the Tar Heels are 16th in resume quality as a projected 3-5 seed.
Caleb Wilson, Henri Veesaar giving Tar Heels what they need
UNC’s frontcourt didn’t look like a UNC frontcourt last season, but the Tar Heels have a vintage duo on the interior this year with Caleb Wilson (19.4 points per game, 10.6 rebounds per game) and Henri Veesaar (16 ppg, 9.2 rbg). That duo remains on pace to become the first Tar Heel teammates to average at least 16 points and 9 rebounds per game since Lee Shaffer and Doug Moe in the 1959-60 season. Wilson, a projected top-five pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, leads the nation in dunks (31) and has seven double-doubles through 10 games, including four with at least 20 points. Veesaar has been a menace out of pick-and-roll situations and is making 43% of his 3-point attempts.
UNC defense leaning on length, versatility
Hubert Davis wanted to improve UNC’s positional size and versatility in the offseason. So far, the plan is working out. UNC is third nationally in effective field-goal percentage defense (42.1%), which would be the program’s best mark in the KenPom era (since at least 1997).
Hubert Davis postgame press conference video after UNC vs USC Upstate
Following UNC basketball’s win vs. USC Upstate, coach Hubert Davis broke down what he liked and didn’t like from the Tar Heels.
UNC was solid with Seth Trimble injured, but he’ll be back soon
Senior guard Seth Trimble has missed eight straight games after averaging 14.5 points and 5 rebounds in the first two games of his final season. The Tar Heels picked up notable wins against Kentucky and Georgetown with Trimble sidelined, but he’ll soon rejoin the lineup. No longer wearing a brace, Trimble’s final step to returning is moving into the full-contact phase of recovery. UNC managed without him and got better in spots, but Trimble’s two-way play and his ability to push the pace is unmatched.
Derek Dixon, Jonathan Powell are reliable reserves
Trimble’s setback has set up freshman guard Derek Dixon and West Virginia transfer Jonathan Powell for increased opportunities. UNC’s top two players off the bench, Dixon and Powell are averaging around 17 minutes per game, along with 6 points and 3 rebounds. Each player contributed to UNC’s road win at Kentucky and both look more comfortable each time they take the court. If they stay on track, the Tar Heels will have plenty of lineup options with a reliable eight-man rotation.
Luka Bogavac elevating as scorer, facilitator
International prospect Luka Bogavac slid into the starting lineup when Trimble went to the bench with an injury. Bogavac has averaged 12.5 points, 3.1 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game as a consistent scorer and facilitator. He has five games with at least four assists and has knocked down a trio of 3-pointers in two of the last three games. Whether he’s setting up teammates or finding his own shot, Bogavac is still just scratching the surface of what he can be for UNC.
Jarin Stevenson is most underrated UNC player
Jarin Stevenson’s numbers (6.6 ppg, 4.3 rbg) don’t pop off the page, but he’s been the Tar Heels’ most underrated player this season. The Alabama transfer can guard all positions, giving UNC the ability to switch everything. He’s also been one of the Heels’ top offensive rebounders (18), trailing only Wilson (28) and Veesaar (22). He needs to improve his 21.4% clip from 3-point range, but he has the shooting form to boost that number.
Kyan Evans settling in as UNC guard
Kyan Evans hasn’t consistently knocked down 3-pointers, making just 30% of his shots from beyond the arc, but he leads the Tar Heels in assists (41) and has settled in with 12 assists and two turnovers over the last four games. In addition to his 3-point shooting, Evans has to be better at defending without fouling.
UNC rebounding needs to be more consistent
The Tar Heels are among the top-25 teams in rebounding margin, but they’re hovering around the top 100 in offensive rebounds per game. With a 35.3% offensive rebounding rate, UNC is on pace for its best mark under Davis, but he wants more given the size of this group. The Tar Heels won at Kentucky because of 20 offensive rebounds. Getting closer to that effort moving forward could take this team to a new tier.
Tar Heels have to improve free-throw shooting, 3-point efficiency
UNC is shooting 32.8% from 3-point range, which is 203rd nationally, and 70% from the free-throw line (229th). The Heels have better shooters than they’ve shown to this point, and those knock-down opportunities from the perimeter will be important as defenses focus on limiting Wilson and Veesaar. But UNC also has to take advantage of its chances at the line. The Heels have the highest free throw rate (41.2) under Davis and the lowest percentage of made free throws. If that trend continues, it’ll cost UNC in big-time games.
Rodd Baxley covers North Carolina Tar Heels athletics for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding UNC? Send them to rbaxley@fayobserver.com.