Isaiah Denis wasted no time making his case for a bigger role at North Carolina.
In the Tar Heels’ exhibition win over USC, the sophomore guard looked nothing like a player who spent much of last season buried on the bench. Denis scored 14 points in 20 minutes and gave UNC exactly the kind of burst this new roster needed when it fell behind 10-3 in the first half.
While newcomers Terrence Brown and Matt Able struggled, Denis stepped in and played with control and confidence. He looked comfortable in the group he shared the floor with and kept the offense moving at a time when UNC needed someone to steady things.
That kind of performance naturally raises the question of whether Denis could force his way into the starting lineup if the early struggles continue. But there’s also a case for keeping him in the role that fits him best. Coming off the bench, Denis showed he can change a game quickly, and that kind of instant offense is hard to replace.
After limited minutes last season, Denis has made it clear he believed he had more to offer. “This is definitely personal for me,” Denis said. “I feel like I could've showed a lot last year, and I feel like I wasn't able to do that."
He also made sure to credit his coach after the game, telling him, “Thank you for taking a chance on me,” before hearing back, “No, thank you for taking a chance on me.”
For UNC, the encouraging part is obvious: Denis looks ready to be a real factor in his sophomore season, and his breakout opportunity may have already started.
In Other News...
UNCs First Malone Rotation Hint Should Grab Tar Heels Fans Attention
Michael Malone wasted little time using North Carolinas exhibition against USC to see what kind of combinations might actually fit once the games start counting. The Tar Heels cycled through 24 different five-man lineups, a clear sign that the new coach is still probing the edges of his roster and trying to figure out which groups can provide the best balance. The starting five of Terrence Brown, Matt Able, Neo Avdalas, Jarin Stevenson and Sayon Keita saw the most action, with a version that included freshman Maximo Adams close behind.
Even in a night filled with experimentation, Jarin Stevenson stood out as the one constant, logging the most minutes and showing up in the majority of the lineups Malone tried. Isaiah Denis also earned significant run, another clue that the rotation picture is still very much taking shape. For a team in search of early identity under a new coach, the exhibition offered a useful first look, but it also left the most important question hanging: which of these combinations will still matter when the season truly begins? [Read more 🡒]
Tar Heels Showed Off New Depth In Michael Malones First UNC Test
Michael Malones first test on the North Carolina sideline came with a reminder that preseason games can still tell a useful story. In an 88-70 exhibition win over Southern Cal, the Tar Heels got contributions from a deeper group than many expected, with Jarin Stevenson, Isaiah Denis, Maximo Adams and Neo Avdalas all giving Carolina a reason to feel better about its rotation before the games start to count.
The night also had a few of those early-season flashes that tend to stick with a coach, none better than Sayon Keita jumping a passing lane for a steal and finishing with a dunk. Both teams were missing key players because of injury or eligibility, so the real value for Carolina was less about the final score than the way new faces handled a bigger stage, and how much more depth Malone may have to work with than first assumed. [Read more 🡒]
Isaiah Denis Just Gave UNC Fans A Reason To Reconsider Him
Isaiah Denis used an exhibition game to make his case for a bigger role in a Carolina rotation that still has plenty of questions under new coach Michael Malone. In 20 minutes, Denis delivered 14 points, four rebounds and a pair of 3-pointers, a sharp showing from a player whose minutes were limited last season because of injury and who now looks much more like part of the conversation than an afterthought.
Denis said the game felt personal, and his response fit the moment. He pointed to Malones trust and coaching style as part of the reason for the jump, while Malone praised Denis development and his choice to stay with the program through the coaching changes. For Tar Heel fans trying to figure out which returning pieces can matter in this new era, Denis just gave them one name worth watching closely. [Read more 🡒]