North Carolina’s roster is getting a full reset in 2026, and that makes the point guard spot one of the most interesting places to watch. The Tar Heels are set to open the season with an almost entirely new starting five, and the only familiar face from last year’s group will be Jarin Stevenson. He had plenty of starting minutes late in the season, and that should carry over when the new campaign begins.
The biggest swing, though, could come from the transition at point guard. Derek Dixon took over as the primary ball-handler early last season and held onto the job, showing flashes of what he could become.
Still, he never quite put it all together. In his lone season at North Carolina, he averaged 6.5 points per game and shot 36% from the field.
That’s where Neoklis Avdalas enters the picture. He should arrive in Chapel Hill in his prime, with Michael Malone helping unlock whatever upside remains in his game. The expectation is that Avdalas will run the offense and give North Carolina another legitimate scoring threat, even if he isn’t the first option every time down the floor.
Consistency was the issue Dixon could never fully solve. Too often, his shooting runs went cold, and those stretches put North Carolina in tough spots.
He shot 39.7% from three last season, but his late-season slump was brutal: over a six-game stretch at the end of conference play, he made just five of 28 attempts from deep. That 17.9% mark came during what was arguably the most important part of the Tar Heels’ season.
And in a strange way, those six games were also the most stable stretch Dixon had all year. He played like a freshman thrown into the fire - sometimes hesitant when he needed to be aggressive, but also capable of big-time moments. He delivered one of those against Duke, knocking down a three to cut into the lead and then finding Trimble for the play that sealed the win.
Avdalas will need to bring those same flashes while cleaning up the rough edges. If he can give North Carolina steadier play and a more reliable offensive presence, the Tar Heels may already have found their biggest upgrade.
In Other News...
Armando Bacot Just Put UNC On The Spot Over One Recruit
Armando Bacot has never been shy about his love for North Carolina, and now his younger brother has put the Tar Heels squarely into the conversation. King Bacot, a Class of 2029 prospect, is already drawing attention on the recruiting trail, and the family connection has naturally stirred interest among UNC fans who would love to see another Bacot end up in Chapel Hill.
The latest wrinkle came when Armando took to social media and directly nudged UNC about where things stand with his brother. With Virginia already in the mix, the question for the Tar Heels is no longer whether King Bacot is worth tracking, but how long they can afford to wait before making a move of their own. [Read more 🡒]
How UNC Landed Michael Malone After A Search Full Of Doubt
North Carolinas coaching reset finally came into focus when the school hired Michael Malone for the 2026-27 season, ending a stretch of uncertainty that followed five years under Hubert Davis. Athletic director Steve Newmark had to navigate a search that never felt entirely straightforward, and the Tar Heels have already started reshaping the program around Malone with a roster overhaul that includes multiple portal and recruiting additions.
The bigger question now is how quickly Malone can make the college game look familiar, because his background leaves some natural doubt about roster-building in this era. Bringing in Chuck Martin as an assistant helps answer part of that, given Martins reputation on the recruiting trail, but UNC still has to prove the new staff can turn a busy offseason into something more than just activity. [Read more 🡒]
Bill Belichick Just Made A Bold Promise To Tar Heels Fans
Bill Belichick didnt try to gloss over how rough his first season in Chapel Hill was, pointing to a 4-8 finish and the reality that building a competitive roster takes more than a quick reset. At the ACC Kickoff, the North Carolina coach said the talent level around the program is better now, and he framed recruiting and development as the foundation for any real turnaround.
The challenge is that the Tar Heels will have to prove that progress quickly against a demanding schedule, with several tough tests waiting early in the year. Belichicks message was less about excuses than about patience and standards, but the pressure around the program remains obvious as North Carolina tries to move past last season and show that the roster is ready to take a step forward. [Read more 🡒]