GREENVILLE, S.C. North Carolina went from having a 19-point lead to struggling to make a shot, with that gap eaten away by a VCU squad that refused to let up.Just like that, the Tar Heels were eliminated from March Madness, their latest early exit under Hubert Davis.The Rams defeated the Tar Heels 82-78 in overtime in Thursday’s first round of the South Region, finishing a season that showed great promise until February only to be derailed by a significant injury. North Carolina blows
It’s another postseason disappointment for a blueblood team that has won six national championships but is now defined by its inability to advance beyond the round of 32.Davis, who is in his fifth season as the replacement to retiring Hall of Famer Roy Williams, was hesitant to discuss whether something is missing that would maintain his program among the nation’s best.”I truly wanted this group of students to have more experiences. But other than that, all I’m thinking about are these guys and the rest of the men in the locker room.”
Davis’ up and down ride
Davis is the only coach in Atlantic Coast Conference history to win at least 20 games in each of his first five years. However, Davis has been unable to achieve continuous playoff success, which has traditionally been a hallmark of the UNC program, following an epic voyage to the 2022 NCAA title game in his rookie season, which featured a Final Four victory over rival Duke that ended the career of rival Hall of Fame coach Mike Krzyzewski.
The Tar Heels became the first team to miss the NCAA Tournament in 2023 after being ranked first in the preseason AP Top 25. UNC rebounded to win the ACC regular-season title a year later and earn a No.Last year, the Tar Heels just made it into the First Four, defeating San Diego State before losing in the first round to Ole Miss.They were expecting more this time around, with top recruit and high-end NBA prospect Caleb Wilson proving to be an instant star. The Tar Heels defeated Kansas and Kentucky, rallied to win at Virginia, and handed Duke one of its two losses this season on Seth Trimble’s last-second 3-pointer.
However, Wilson shattered his left hand a few days later in Miami. Then, as he was about to return in early March, Wilson eventually named an AP second-team All American shattered his right thumb during a non-contact practice and was out for the season.They lost against Duke, trailed by 18 before falling short in a dramatic rally against Clemson in the ACC Tournament, and then faded against VCU while leading 56-37 on Trimble’s basket with 14:58 remaining.”I feel like we were at a really good spot, and then obviously Caleb’s injury I think that affects our season,” Henri Veesaar, the center, said.
UNC struggles with a short rotation.
The Tar Heels wilted significantly in the VCU game, with Davis limiting his rotation to keep four players on the court for the entire second half and another for 15 minutes. By the end, UNC was unable to make a basket or a free throw while making costly turnovers.The Tar Heels missed their final nine shots, including all six in overtime. And they went 12 of 20 from the foul line, including three missed free throws in overtime, to continue their season-long struggles.Davis claimed he didn’t notice his teammates becoming exhausted, while Trimble said it was a problem in previous interviews.
When questioned why he primarily used a six-man rotation after halftime, Davis replied, “Because that was my decision.”Trimble had just sat in a corner of the locker room, surrounded by reporters and fighting back tears. Trimble, a rarity in today’s transfer-portal age, had just finished playing for Davis at UNC for four years, including a brief stint in the portal after his sophomore year before returning.He supported his coach, who signed a two-year agreement till 2029-30 last year.”Everybody has flaws,” Trimble explained. “Coach Davis is not a perfect coach.But he’s a coach who has improved both me and the guys. He has proven his ability to triumph in this situation. I know he’s received a lot over the last four years. But I will continue to ride with him.”
The disappointing finish against VCU immediately sparked debate among fans and analysts about North Carolina’s strategy, particularly the heavy workload placed on key players during the second half. As the game progressed, the Tar Heels appeared to lose their rhythm offensively, struggling to create quality scoring opportunities and showing signs of fatigue in crucial moments.
Despite the criticism, many players continued to express confidence in Hubert Davis and his leadership. Several veterans pointed to the challenges the team faced throughout the season, including injuries, roster adjustments, and the pressure that comes with representing one of college basketball’s most prestigious programs. They emphasized that the coaching staff consistently pushed the team to improve and prepared them for difficult situations.
The loss was especially painful because UNC had battled hard to force overtime and seemed to have opportunities to secure the victory. However, missed free throws, turnovers, and a lack of execution in the closing minutes proved costly. For a program with championship expectations, the defeat served as a reminder of how small mistakes can determine the outcome of high-pressure tournament games.
Looking ahead, the Tar Heels face an important offseason. The coaching staff will evaluate the roster, address depth concerns, and seek ways to improve late-game performance. While questions surrounding rotations and game management are likely to continue, many within the program believe the foundation remains strong. With returning talent and potential additions, North Carolina will aim to learn from this setback and position itself for a stronger campaign in the seasons ahead.
Sarah Williams is a sports news reporter covering all major American sports including NBA, NFL, MLB, and NHL. With 4 years of experience in sports journalism, Sarah specializes in breaking news, trending stories, and exclusive sports updates. Her fast-paced reporting style keeps sports fans informed and engaged. Sarah is a core member of the USA News Point editorial team.
