Men's basketball - The Daily Tar Heel

‘A really cool little ecosystem’: A look at the world of UNC basketball Twitter

By Ryan Wilcox | Jan. 17, 2020

North Carolina men’s basketball is one of the few college teams in the country that can boast a veritable and vibrant community of amateur pundits, hashtaggers and meme creators. This season notwithstanding, the Tar Heels are one of the most successful programs in the history of the sport; with that success comes a certain level of online fandom and — it’s fair to say — fanaticism.

First-year guard Coby White dribbles past a Syracuse defender in the Smith Center on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019. White hit a new career high 34 points. UNC beat Syracuse 93-85.

Tar Heels in the pros: Find out how these NBA rookies are doing midway through the year

By Jared McMasters | Jan. 15, 2020

Coby White, Cameron Johnson and Nassir Little were all selected in the first round of the 2019 NBA draft. Here's how the former Tar Heels are making the adjustment to professional basketball midway through their rookie seasons.

North Carolina's Tyler Hansbrough played 37 minutes in the Tar Heels' 84-70 victory against N.C. State on Wednesday night at the RBC Center.

We waded through UNC basketball's record book again. Here's what we found this time

By Matt Chilson | Jan. 15, 2020

From the impressively balanced team of the 1988-1989 season to individual record-holders, like Tyler Hansbrough and Ed Cota, here's what we found while looking through the "Carolina Basketball 2019-2020 Facts & Record Book."

UNC senior guard Brandon Robinson (4) runs down the court as Clemson sophomore forward Hunter Tyson (5) at the Dean Smith Center on Saturday Jan. 11, 2020. UNC lost to Clemson 79-76, ending the Tigers 0-59 losing streak in Chapel Hill.

UNC guard Brandon Robinson 'not seriously injured' after two-car crash Saturday night

By Chapel Fowler | Jan. 13, 2020

UNC guard Brandon Robinson in two-car accident Saturday night; in a release, UNC said he was not serioulsy injured and received no citation.

North Carolina's players are expected to deliver every night, but when it meant keeping alive the longest home winning streak against a single opponent, the Tar Heels simply couldn't do it. North Carolina, previously 59-0 against the Tigers in Chapel Hill, fell 79-76 in overtime following a late collapse where the Tar Heels shot just 3-16 in the final 5:25 of regulation.

'I'm exhausted right now': After loss, UNC's home streak against Clemson is dead

By Brian Keyes | Jan. 11, 2020

North Carolina's players are expected to deliver every night, but when it meant keeping alive the longest home winning streak against a single opponent, the Tar Heels simply couldn't do it.

Head Coach Roy Williams talks to the players during a timeout against Clemson. UNC lost to Clemson 79-76, ending the Tigers 0-59 losing streak in Chapel Hill.

'Didn't help them very much': Williams shoulders blame in UNC's 79-76 loss to Clemson

By Jared McMasters | Jan. 11, 2020

UNC head coach Roy Williams said that he prefers for his players to foul when they're up three in the closing seconds of regulation to stop opponents from attempting a game-tying 3-pointer. In Saturday's loss, Williams forgot to remind his players to do so right before Aamir Simms sent the game to overtime.

Clemson senior guard Curran Scott (10) defends junior guard K.J. Smith (30) during the game against Clemson on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020 in the Smith Center.

Recap: UNC falls to Clemson in overtime, ending 59-game home winning streak against Tigers

By Jared McMasters | Jan. 11, 2020

Despite 27 points from senior guard Brandon Robinson, the UNC men's basketball team (8-8, 1-4 ACC) was defeated by Clemson (8-7, 2-3 ACC) in overtime on Saturday, 79-76. The win by the Tigers was Clemson's first ever in Chapel Hill, ending a 59-game streak by UNC.

Head Coach Roy Williams yells during a game against Pitt in the Smith Center on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020. The Tar Heels lost to the Panthers 65-73.

Amid struggling season, UNC isn't focusing on home win streak against Clemson

By Brian Keyes | Jan. 10, 2020

At Roy Williams' press conference on Friday, UNC's head coach made it clear he wasn't concerned about his team's home win streak against Clemson, instead focusing on the issues the Tar Heels have had on the court amidst a difficult season.

Junior guard Andrew Platek (3) keeps ball from opposing player in in basketball game against Elon University on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2019. UNC won 75-61.

Analysis: UNC needs to improve 3-point shooting to salvage season

By Matt Chilson | Jan. 9, 2020

The deeper reason for UNC's struggle is pretty simple. They can’t make 3-point shots at the rate Roy Williams' teams normally do.

Roy Williams acknowledges level of talent in UNC’s 73-65 loss to Pittsburgh

By Brian Keyes | Jan. 9, 2020

After losing its second game in a row, the North Carolina men's basketball team is faced with a sobering realization.

UNC junior forward Garrison Brooks fields questions from members of the media following a game against Pitt in the Smith Center on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020. The Tar Heels lost to the Panthers 65-73.

After UNC's seventh loss of season, the Smith Center paints a bleak postgame scene

By Chapel Fowler | Jan. 9, 2020

If any of UNC’s seven losses this season truly cast a shadow of doubt on the team’s NCAA Tournament chances, it was this one. Michigan, Ohio State, Gonzaga and Virginia are all ranked teams. An optimist could twist Wofford into a feel-out game, Cole Anthony's first on the sideline, and Georgia Tech into one of those early blips ACC teams so often have when conference play begins. After Wednesday's loss to Pittsburgh, Roy Williams stays next to Dean Smith on the NCAA’s all-time Division I wins list.

Pitt forward Justin Champagnie (11) dunks the ball during the game on Wednesday Jan. 8, 2020. UNC lost to Pitt 65-73.

Recap: UNC falls to Pittsburgh, 73-65, after Panthers' hot second-half shooting

By Chapel Fowler and Brian Keyes | Jan. 8, 2020

In a 73-65 triumph, the Panthers shot 23 of 52 from the field, and nine of 22 from 3-point range, in the second half to again keep head coach Roy Williams from passing Dean Smith in all-time NCAA Division I wins.

UNC forward Garrison Brooks (15) shoots the ball during the game against Georgia Tech in the Smith Center on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020.

After loss to Georgia Tech, the clock is ticking on UNC basketball's season

By Ryan Wilcox | Jan. 4, 2020

After more than 13 minutes of game time, a Garrison Brooks hook shot finally ended UNC's field goal drought. North Carolina missed its first 15 shots from every which way — in the paint, from deep, at the elbow, in the corner — before Brooks' bucket. The Smith Center crowd went into a frenzy. North Carolina had just cut the lead to 22.

UNC forward Garrison Brooks (15) shoots a free throw during the game vs Georgia Tech in the Smith Center on Jan. 4, 2020.

Recap: Brooks' 35 points not enough as Georgia Tech beats UNC men's basketball, 96-83

By Chapel Fowler | Jan. 4, 2020

In a 96-83 loss, the Tar Heels (8-6, 1-2 ACC) never led, trailed at one point by 24 points and allowed the Yellow Jackets to shoot 59 percent from the field. Junior forward Garrison Brooks put up a valiant 35 points in defeat.

First-year guard Jeremiah Francis (13) fight Yale's defense during the game in the Smith Center on Monday, Dec. 30, 2019.

'Never doubted myself': Jeremiah Francis perseveres, helps UNC to win over Yale

By Parth Upadhyaya | Dec. 31, 2019

As the seconds ticked down to single digits on the shot clock, Jeremiah Francis stood in a three-point stance a few feet past half court.

Head Coach Roy Willliams recived a a plaque on Monday, Dec. 30, 2019 after UNC's win against Yale. Williams' tied his number of wins (879) with former head coach Dean Smith.

UNC's Roy Williams ties Dean Smith in all-time wins with Yale victory

By Ryan Wilcox | Dec. 31, 2019

Before Monday's 70-67 win against Yale, Brandon Robinson was relaxing with his teammates when his eyes flickered toward the flatscreen. There, scrolling on the ESPN ticker, was the only thing anyone would want to talk about six hours later.

UNC first-year guard Anthony Harris (0) dribbles down court in the Smith Center on Monday, Dec. 30, 2019. Harris left the game early after sustaining a knee injury during the game against Yale. UNC defeated Yale 70-67.

UNC men's basketball defeats Yale 70-67, behind career high 20 points from Robinson

By Parth Upadhyaya | Dec. 30, 2019

The North Carolina men's basketball team suffered another cold shooting night, but held on to the end to defeat Yale, 70-67. The win gave head coach Roy Williams his 879th career win, tying Dean Smith.

First-year forward Armando Bacot (5) pushes pass opposing players in basketball game against Elon University on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2019. UNC won 75-61.

UNC basketball snaps four-game losing streak, knocks off UCLA, 74-64

By Ryan Wilcox | Dec. 21, 2019

The North Carolina men's basketball team (7-5, 1-1 ACC) snapped a four-game losing streak and knocked off UCLA (7-5) on Saturday as part of the CBS Sports Classic, 74-64. The Tar Heels sank six three-pointers and overcame a 17-turnover day to get the win.

UNC's graduate guard Christain Keeling (55) attempts to gain possession of the ball during a game against Wofford on Sunday, Dec. 15th, 2019 at Carmichael Arena. This is the first regular-season game the Tar Heels have played in Carmichael since 1986.  UNC fell to Wofford 64-68, marking UNC's third consecutive loss.

'Ain't got much left': Without Cole Anthony or Leaky Black, UNC falls to Wofford

By Parth Upadhyaya | Dec. 15, 2019

“I know we’re gonna benefit in the long run from it,” Roy Williams said, “but that doesn’t make it any more pleasant to go through right now for sure.”

UNC junior forward Garrison Brooks (15) dribbles down court in Carmichael Arena on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019 against Wofford. This is the first regular-season game the Tar Heels have played in Carmichael since 1986.

For UNC basketball, a day full of surprises in 68-64 upset loss to Wofford

By Ryan Wilcox | Dec. 15, 2019

Perhaps those absences, particularly Anthony's, made the 68-64 upset shocking. But the way it all went down — K.J. Smith running point, an airballed free throw from Justin Pierce and...Roy Williams calling a timeout? — was baffling to say the least.