UNC heads into Indianapolis with a few obvious items on the checklist for its second preseason game, and the first one starts with whether the Tar Heels can clean up the mess from the opener. After turning the ball over 18 times against USC, North Carolina will try to look sharper against Indiana, where the margin for sloppy play should be a little less forgiving.
That turnover number stands out even more because Matt Able was charged with a team-high four errors, while Neo Avdalas had three of his own. Avdalas is supposed to be the guy Michael Malone leans on most to help run the offense, so that kind of ball security is a concern.
It’s still preseason, sure, and the rust shows up in these games, but the point of playing them is to work the kinks out before the results count. Against Indiana, UNC needs to be more selective with passes, stop forcing plays, and quit handling the ball so casually.
Another major subplot is whether Isaiah Denis can build on the best showing he’s had in a Carolina uniform. Against USC, he scored 14 points on 50% shooting from the floor and from three, while adding four rebounds and an assist. After not getting much of a chance last season, Denis made the most of his minutes and suddenly looks like someone worth watching more closely.
His appeal is easy to see. He gets downhill fast, and he has enough strength to make life difficult for defenders when he attacks the rim.
That combination also raises the question of what he can do defensively, and Indiana could offer another look at that. With the guard rotation still unsettled, Denis has a chance to push for more time.
That guard situation also puts a spotlight on Terrence Brown and Matt Able, both of whom are still trying to establish themselves. Brown may not end up as the team’s main facilitator, but he’s expected to be one of the starting guards alongside Neo Avdalas. In the small sample from the USC game, it looked like Brown needs to score to really find his rhythm, so Malone may try to get him easier looks at the rim and let the rest flow from there.
Able’s assignment is more straightforward: better shots, more of them. He attempted just three shots against USC, all from beyond the arc.
If UNC wants a more productive night from him against Indiana, the shot quality and volume need to improve. For a preseason game, that matters even if the final score is secondary.
This will also be UNC’s first appearance in Indianapolis since the 2000 national semifinal against Florida in the NCAA Tournament. The Tar Heels are there now with a chance to sort through some early questions, and the game against Indiana should tell a little more about which of those issues are already moving in the right direction.
In Other News...
Duke Just Gave UNC A Huge Rivalry Week Problem
Dukes rivalry-week injury report has introduced another layer of uncertainty into a matchup that already carries plenty of tension for North Carolina. Running back Nate Sheppard is listed as a game-time decision, and his status matters because he has been Dukes most productive runner and one of the most important pieces of the Blue Devils offense.
If Sheppard cannot go, Duke would likely turn to CJ Campbell Jr., a less proven option with far less production and experience. For UNC, the difference between facing Duke with its lead back available or with a backup thrust into a bigger role could shape how the Tar Heels prepare for one of the seasons most closely watched games. [Read more 🡒]
Tar Heels Just Sent A Message Before Duke Showdown
North Carolina mens soccer kept rolling with a 1-0 road win over No. 7 Pittsburgh, a result that added another quality line to an already strong stretch. Max Fisher delivered the decisive goal in the 51st minute, finishing a pass from Bertil Rygaard Hansen and giving the Tar Heels the kind of road result that can sharpen a teams edge this time of year.
The victory stretched UNCs winning streak to five games and snapped Pittsburghs six-match unbeaten run, a nice reminder that the Tar Heels are carrying real momentum into the biggest matchups ahead. With Duke next on the horizon, the timing of this performance matters almost as much as the result itself, since wins like this tend to travel well when the pressure rises. [Read more 🡒]
UNC Gets Another Shot To End Duke Rivalry Frustration
North Carolina gets another crack at a rivalry that has been stubbornly frustrating lately when the Tar Heels meet Duke on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET in an ACC football matchup. The game will be carried on ESPN2 and SiriusXM radio, and it comes with some momentum after UNC recently upset a ranked opponent.
The bigger backdrop is simple: the Victory Bell has been out of reach in recent meetings, with Duke finding ways to win close games and leave Carolina looking for answers. Saturday offers the Tar Heels a chance to flip that script, and the broader schedule picture is already taking shape with UNCs 2026 football slate also in view. [Read more 🡒]