If North Carolina’s offseason roster build felt like it came together fast, that’s because it did. The Tar Heels were dealing with a late change in the middle of the transfer portal window, and Michael Malone’s arrival could have easily thrown the whole operation off track. Instead, Malone and his staff, led by Chuck Martin, still managed to land several notable portal prospects.
That’s what makes this group so intriguing. UNC now has 11 new players in the program, and for the first time in five years, there’s a real sense that the head coach in place can actually squeeze the most out of the talent. Malone made that point when he spoke to the media earlier this week, stressing that talent alone doesn’t guarantee anything.
The Tar Heels may not have a top-five NBA Draft pick on the roster this season, but the depth looks more reliable than it did a year ago. That’s not a claim you can fully lock in until the games start, but the versatility is obvious on paper.
Last season, UNC’s depth that once looked like a strength faded as the year went on and eventually looked ordinary. Some of that came down to talent not delivering, but the source of the problem also included Hubert Davis’ inability to lift those players to a higher level.
Malone now has the chance to change that. And the bench, at least on paper, looks like a real asset. With Cameron Fens currently ruled ineligible for this season and the projected starting lineup taking a hit because of it, North Carolina’s second unit would feature Maximo Adams, Alexandros Samodurov, Kevin Thomas, Angelo Brizzi, and Cade Bennerman.
What stands out is how each of those players brings a different job description. That kind of variety gives Malone a more balanced set of options, and it should shape how he uses his roster.
In Other News...
UNC Just Sent A Clear Message About Michael Malones First Team
The Tar Heels are making a major early statement about how serious they are under Michael Malone. North Carolina has pushed its roster budget for the 2026-27 season to more than $20 million, a sharp jump from roughly $14 million last season, and the increase underscores how aggressively the program is leaning into roster building in Malones first year on the job.
Malone has been active in recruiting and in working with boosters to help support that effort, and his contract already includes $6.75 million in revenue sharing for NIL. The rest of the money, according to the report, has come through booster contributions, a sign that UNC is not just adjusting to the new era of college basketball but trying to get ahead of it. [Read more 🡒]
UNC Backfield Pecking Order Already Looks More Unsettled Than Fans Expected
UNCs backfield already looks like a committee, and the latest game only sharpened the picture. Benjamin Hall handled the bulk of the carries, while Demon June barely saw the field until the fourth quarter, a usage pattern that stood out even with the Tar Heels leaning into rotation. Jaylen McGill also carved out meaningful snaps and finished with a touchdown, adding another layer to a room that appears to be sorting itself out on the fly.
For a position group that entered the season with plenty of intrigue, the distribution of work is the part worth watching now. The coaches have shown a willingness to spread touches around in past games, and this one offered another clue that no single back has fully separated from the pack. Until that changes, UNCs running game may keep looking less like a depth chart and more like a weekly guessing game. [Read more 🡒]
UNCs New Starting Five Comes With One Early Concern
North Carolinas offseason overhaul has given Hubert Davis a roster that looks and feels very different, with 11 new players and a handful of new voices on the staff, including Michael Malone and Chuck Martin. The early projection still leaves room for optimism around the core pieces, with Avdalas, Brown, Able and Stevenson expected to help define a more versatile backcourt while the new coaches work to sharpen the groups efficiency and overall fit.
The biggest question, though, sits in the middle, where the Tar Heels need clarity after Cameron Fens ineligibility leaves the starting center spot unsettled. North Carolina wants that position to anchor a defense-first identity, but the answer there will shape how the rest of the lineup settles in and whether the new look can translate from paper to the floor once the season gets moving. [Read more 🡒]