After a short pause for final exams, the Tar Heels are back in action-and back to the grind. Saturday’s win over South Carolina Upstate may have gone in the books as a ‘W,’ but let’s be honest: it wasn’t the kind of performance that gets the Dean Dome buzzing. Now, with ETSU coming to town tonight and a matchup against Ohio State looming in Atlanta this weekend, Carolina’s entering a stretch that’s less about the opponents and more about sharpening their edge before the ACC gauntlet begins.
This next week gives UNC a mini-preview of the rhythm they'll face once conference play kicks in-Saturday games followed by quick turnarounds on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday. That kind of schedule demands more than just talent.
It demands habits, toughness, and a team that can bring energy on short rest. That’s why this stretch matters.
It’s not just about stacking wins. It’s about building the mental muscle memory that’ll carry them through the grind of the ACC.
Saturday’s game showed just how much that muscle still needs work. Despite the win, UNC struggled to put away a South Carolina Upstate squad that they frankly should’ve handled with ease.
The effort was flat, the execution uneven, and the rebounding margin far too close for comfort. Head coach Hubert Davis didn’t sugarcoat it afterward-he sounded more like a coach coming off a loss than a win.
That tells you everything you need to know about the tone in practice since then. Film sessions probably weren’t full of warm fuzzies either.
Tonight’s matchup with ETSU offers a chance to reset. A chance to come out with more urgency, more physicality on the glass, and cleaner execution on both ends.
Because if ETSU is able to hang around on the boards the way SC Upstate did, the Tar Heels could be in for another uncomfortable night. The good news?
It’s still December. These are the games where you work out the kinks, not the ones that define your season.
And if you’re heading to the Dean Dome tonight, there’s a little extra incentive to stay in your seat at halftime-UNC is rolling out a puppy race. Yes, a literal race... with puppies.
It’s been all over their social channels, and it’s exactly the kind of light-hearted moment that can bring some joy to a mid-December non-conference game. Hey, if the first half gets choppy, at least halftime promises some guaranteed smiles.
On the personnel front, keep an eye on Seth Trimble. He was seen without any wrap on his wrist before Saturday’s game, which suggests he’s close to returning.
The question now is whether the staff wants to ease him back in before the holiday break or wait until after Christmas to give him a clean slate heading into ACC play. Either way, his return will shake up the rotation a bit.
And that makes these next couple of games crucial for guys fighting for minutes. This is the window to prove they deserve a bigger role once the roster is whole again.
So while tonight’s game might not carry the weight of a conference showdown, it still matters. It’s a test of focus, effort, and execution-three things that travel well in March but need to be built in December. Let’s see if the Tar Heels respond with the kind of performance that shows they’re ready to take that next step.