North Carolina’s 2026-27 season opened with an 80-72 win over Western Carolina, and Michael Malone’s first official game as Tar Heels head coach already offered a clear snapshot of how different this team can look.
The new pieces were impossible to miss. North Carolina played with a different rhythm, a different shape and a different set of offensive priorities than fans have gotten used to over the last five years. And in a game that mixed encouraging signs with a few rough edges, a handful of players stood out for better or worse.
One of the biggest bright spots was Able, the North Carolina State transfer who wasted no time making his presence felt. He scored eight points in the first three minutes, hit his first three shots and buried two threes right out of the gate.
The 6-foot-5, 200-pound guard finished as the team’s leading scorer with 18 points, doing it on 6-of-10 shooting. What stood out most was how naturally he fit into the flow of the offense; he didn’t need the ball constantly to make an impact, and the attack never seemed to bog down when he was on the floor.
Another freshman who impressed was Adams. When Malone went with five bench players at once, the offense leaned on the first-year forward, and he handled that responsibility well.
The 6-foot-7, 220-pound forward showed he can contribute in more than one area, helping on both the scoring and rebounding fronts. His steady play also earned him some minutes alongside the starters when Sayon Keita ran into foul trouble.
Avdalas also looked like a player who can tilt a game in a lot of different ways. The Virginia Tech transfer’s versatility was on display from the start, and his ability to push the ball in transition after defensive rebounds jumped off the page. At 6-foot-9, North Carolina’s point guard brings a unique weapon to Malone’s roster, and even after one game it’s easy to see why he was such a priority in the transfer portal.
Not everything went smoothly, though, and Keita’s night was a reminder that foul trouble can quickly change the way Malone has to manage his frontcourt. The former Barcelona center never really settled in because of those fouls, and he also struggled to control the glass. That opened the door for Adams to see time with the starters while Jarin Stevenson was used at center.
Brown had his moments, especially early, when he attacked Western Carolina’s defense in the paint and finished multiple contested layups. The Utah transfer also showed some playmaking ability off the dribble, creating open looks for teammates.
But the efficiency wasn’t there. Brown shot 3-of-11 from the field and missed all three of his attempts from deep.
For a player who averaged nearly 20 points last season at Utah, the scoring talent is obvious, but the perimeter issues that followed him to Chapel Hill were part of the story again on Monday night.
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Tar Heels Win Still Left One Early Concern Hard To Ignore
Carolina opened the season with an 80-72 win over Western Carolina, and there were enough encouraging signs to leave the Tar Heels feeling good about the start. Matt Able led the way with 18 points, Neo Avdalas added 13 points and six rebounds, and Maximo Adams chipped in 10 points and four rebounds as the new-look group showed some early scoring balance.
Still, the opener also exposed a problem that will not be easy to brush aside. Western Carolina controlled the glass and outrebounded Carolina 41-32, a gap that stood out even in a victory, and it comes at a time when the Tar Heels are also waiting on an eligibility ruling for Cameron Fens. For a team trying to settle into its rotation early, both issues linger as the schedule moves forward. [Read more 🡒]
Former UNC Star Caleb Wilson Sent A Strong Message After Brutal Loss
Caleb Wilson has wasted no time showing why the Bulls view him as a young piece to build around. After recovering from earlier hand injuries, the former UNC standout has settled in as a productive part of Chicagos rotation, averaging 21.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game while carrying himself like a player who expects more from himself and the group around him.
That frustration was on display after Chicagos loss to the Boston Celtics, when Wilson sent a clear message in the aftermath of a brutal defeat. He already entered the league with a strong foundation, having trained with LeBron James before his rookie season, and nights like this only sharpen the spotlight on how much the Bulls are asking of him as they try to keep moving forward. [Read more 🡒]
Michael Malone Is Already Changing UNC's Recruiting Ceiling
The early returns on Michael Malones arrival in Chapel Hill keep looking bigger than just a coaching hire. Demarcus Henry, the No. 2 player in the 2027 high school class, has committed to North Carolina, giving the Tar Heels another major recruiting win and a clear sign that Malones reputation is already carrying weight on the trail.
Henry pointed to Malones vision and winning mentality as key reasons for choosing UNC, and the NBA championship-winning coach made it clear the interest was personal. Malone attended many of Henrys games and repeatedly stressed that the forward was a priority for the program, a level of attention that can matter when elite prospects are weighing their next step. [Read more 🡒]