The Tar Heels get Wyoming on Tuesday night in the Dean Smith Center, and while UNC is chasing a third straight win, the Cowboys arrive unbeaten after rolling past Regis University and Idaho State. That’s a different kind of test than they’ve seen so far, even if the expectation is still that the visitors will have their hands full.
One of the biggest questions for UNC is who sets the tone this time. Against Wofford, Jarin Stevenson did it almost immediately, trying to rip the rim off the backboard within the first 10 seconds and giving the whole group a burst of energy.
That kind of jolt won’t always come so early, though, so the Tar Heels may need someone else to deliver the first big moment - whether that’s a steal, a block, or another emphatic dunk. The point is simple: this team needs a spark, and there isn’t much room to be picky about how it comes.
Maxi Adams is another name worth watching. If the minutes stay fairly balanced between the starters and the bench, he has a real chance to make a bigger imprint on the game.
He already posted his first double-double against Wofford, and the next step could be pushing toward 20 points if he gets enough touches. Even more important, though, is what he does on the glass.
UNC has needed help there, and another night with 10-plus rebounds would go a long way toward cutting down second-chance points while creating extra possessions of its own.
The other major piece is defense, because Wyoming can score. The Cowboys are averaging 94 points per game, and that alone should keep UNC honest.
Against Idaho State, Wyoming shot 32-64 from the field, hit 8-23 from deep, and went 21 of 28 at the free throw line. They also grabbed 21 offensive rebounds, which is exactly the kind of extra work that can tilt a game if UNC gets loose with its own effort.
The Tar Heels will need to stay disciplined, avoid fouls, and make sure Wyoming doesn’t turn extra possessions into a problem.
In Other News...
Belichick May Be Getting A New In-State Rival Tar Heels Fans Know Well
NC State is expected to hire Philip Rivers as its next head football coach, pending approval from the universitys trustees, a move that would instantly add a familiar name to the in-state rivalry. Rivers, an NC State alum and former NFL quarterback, has spent the past few years coaching at the high school level since 2021, and his jump to the college sideline would bring a very different kind of spotlight to Raleigh.
For North Carolina, the development matters beyond the usual border-state bragging rights because Bill Belichick knows Rivers well from their NFL meetings. Belichick has already weighed in on Rivers competitiveness, which only adds to the intrigue if the hire becomes official and the rivalry gets a new face with a long football rsum behind it. [Read more 🡒]
UNC Has A Real Chance To Clinch Something At Louisville
North Carolina heads to Louisville with a straightforward goal in front of it: get one more win and become bowl-eligible. After the Tar Heels handled UConn, the program has a little momentum and a clearer sense of identity under Bill Belichick in his second season, with the discipline on both sides of the ball looking more settled than it did earlier in the year.
Billy Edwards Jr. has been a big part of that push, coming off a strong outing against UConn with 255 passing yards and three touchdowns. Now the challenge gets a little tougher on the road, where UNC can turn a solid midseason stretch into something more meaningful if it can finish the job at Louisville. [Read more 🡒]
UNC Defense Just Lost A Key Piece At The Worst Time
North Carolinas defense took a tough hit during its game against Syracuse, when linebacker Jonathan Agumadu suffered a lower-body injury that will keep him out for the rest of the 2026 season. Agumadu had become a significant part of the Tar Heels defensive rotation, so his absence leaves a noticeable void in the middle of the unit at a point when depth matters most.
Timir Hickman-Collins is among the linebackers expected to help absorb the workload from here, and UNC will need others to step forward quickly as it tries to steady the defense without one of its more reliable contributors. Injuries are part of the season, but losing a player like Agumadu now forces the Tar Heels to adjust on the fly and reshuffle a position group that had been counting on his presence. [Read more 🡒]