Michael Malone’s arrival, the Diamond Heels’ deep postseason charge and Seth Trimble’s late dagger against Duke defined a huge year for UNC athletics, but the emotional punch of the season may have come from one shot inside the Smith Center.
With 0.4 seconds left, Trimble knocked down the game-winning three-pointer to finish off one of the wildest comebacks in the Carolina-Duke rivalry. North Carolina spent nearly the whole night chasing, never grabbing the lead until that final shot dropped. The Tar Heels finished on a 9-0 burst, with Caleb Wilson, Henri Veesaar and Derek Dixon all helping set up the finish before Trimble delivered the knockout.
It was the kind of moment that instantly joins the rivalry’s highlight reel. Carolina’s season later went sideways because of injuries and a disappointing ending, but that February night still belonged to Trimble and the crowd at the Smith Center.
The year also gave Scott Forbes’ baseball team a run that came within one win of program history. North Carolina reached the College World Series championship series for the third time ever and fell just short of its first national title, with Oklahoma taking the decisive third game. Even without the trophy, the postseason run confirmed just how strong the Diamond Heels were all season.
Carolina finished with 54 wins, made its ninth trip to Omaha in the last 20 College World Series, and kept showing the kind of steadiness that defined the group. The Tar Heels lost only two series all year and were never swept. They kept finding answers when the pressure rose.
There were plenty of signature moments along the way. Jason DeCaro’s complete-game shutout against USC in the Super Regionals stood out.
So did Owen Hall’s walk-off that sent Carolina back to Omaha. And the offense, built around a relentless team-first approach, gave the season its identity.
Then came the biggest change of all: Hubert Davis out, Michael Malone in.
After five seasons, Davis was relieved of his duties following another frustrating finish that included losses in the regular-season finale, the ACC Tournament and the NCAA Tournament. His tenure did include a trip to the national championship game in his first season and a handful of memorable wins, but the consistency UNC expects never fully arrived.
Davis leaves Chapel Hill with a reputation rooted in passion, integrity and a real love for his alma mater. That made the decision especially difficult, because few people have cared more about North Carolina basketball.
The search ended with the Tar Heels hiring former NBA champion head coach Michael Malone, and that move immediately changed the mood around the program. He has already started building a staff that mixes Carolina connections with new voices, while also attacking the transfer portal and recruiting trail with urgency. Malone has made it clear he intends to balance modern college basketball with UNC’s traditions.
No one can say exactly what Year 1 will look like, but the hire signals a new era for one of the sport’s most recognizable programs. When North Carolina basketball changes leadership, the ripple effect reaches far beyond Chapel Hill.
From Trimble’s shot to the Diamond Heels’ postseason surge to a major coaching transition, the 2025-26 academic year delivered a full slate of defining moments for UNC athletics. One chapter closed, and another opened with expectations right back where they always seem to be in Chapel Hill.
In Other News...
RJ Davis Just Got Another Chance UNC Fans Need To See
RJ Davis first pro season gave him a strong foothold in the G League, where he turned in a productive rookie year for South Bay and picked up All-NBA G League Rookie Team honors along the way. The former North Carolina guard also earned a spot in the NBA G League Next Up Game, a sign that his game translated quickly after college and that he made enough of an impression to keep himself in the conversation.
Now he is getting another Summer League run, and this one comes with a little more intrigue than expected. The Spurs announced their roster with Davis on it, a move that caught some attention because many had assumed he would stay in the Lakers organization, and it gives UNC fans another chance to track how his game keeps evolving against NBA-level competition. [Read more 🡒]
UNCs Offensive Reset Hinges On One Identity Shift Fans Need To See
North Carolinas offensive overhaul has been building since the Tar Heels went looking for answers after last seasons struggles, and the biggest change may be the one most tied to identity. Bobby Petrino is in as offensive coordinator, the roster has been reinforced through the transfer portal at key spots, and the expectation is that the offense will be far more grounded in the run game than it has been in recent memory.
That shift points directly to a backfield that could define how far the reset goes, with Demon June, Benjamin Hall and transfer Kaleb Jackson positioned to share the load. If the Tar Heels are going to get the kind of improvement they want in 2026, it likely starts with those backs and a scheme built to lean on them, but the real question is how quickly all the new pieces can turn that plan into something opponents have to respect. [Read more 🡒]
Former Tar Heel Garrison Brooks Lands His Next Overseas Opportunity
Former North Carolina big man Garrison Brooks is set for another stop overseas, continuing a pro career that has taken him well beyond Chapel Hill. After his college days with the Tar Heels, Brooks has spent time in the NBA G League and in Lithuania, building a path that has kept him active across multiple levels of the game.
Japan will now remain part of that journey, with Brooks moving into his second season competing there after a run with the Chiba Jets. For a player who has already shown a willingness to adapt from one league to the next, the next chapter keeps him in a familiar region and gives him another chance to settle in with a new club. [Read more 🡒]