Getting to the root of what’s wrong with UNC Basketball
North Carolina fell to 14-11 after a lopsided 20-point loss to Clemson on Monday, marking the program’s third-worst record through 25 games since the start of the Dean Smith era in 1961-62. Unless there’s a dramatic turnaround, Hubert Davis is on track to become the first Tar Heels coach to miss the NCAA Tournament twice in three seasons since Matt Doherty failed to qualify in 2001-02 and 2002-03.
UNC legend Joel Berry and Inside Carolina analyst Taylor Vippolis recently discussed Davis’ performance as head coach and the program’s future on an episode of Up in the Rafters. Here are some key takeaways from their conversation.
UNC HAS NO IDENTITY IN YEAR FOUR OF THE HUBERT DAVIS ERA
Vippolis: “Carolina fans aren’t accustomed to this level of disappointment with the team’s performance. In three of the last four seasons, UNC has been a bubble team. When I watch this team play and hear Hubert Davis in post-game press conferences, he looks like a coach who is overwhelmed. It seems like he’s slightly in over his head. … As he approaches his fifth year leading the program, the team still lacks a clear identity—there’s nothing they can consistently rely on.”
PERSONNEL IS AN ISSUE AT UNC THIS YEAR
Berry: “When it comes to recruiting, Hubert Davis has brought in top-tier talent, including Ian Jackson and Drake Powell this year. He also landed Elliot Cadeau, and people forget this is technically his freshman season. Cadeau was a highly rated recruit. Next year, another elite prospect, Caleb Wilson, is coming in—that’s a positive. Another positive is Davis leading UNC to the national championship in his first season. Yes, that season had its struggles early on, but the turning point was adding Brady Manek. The following year, UNC missed the Tournament, but they didn’t have a player like Manek. That shows how much one player can completely change a team’s trajectory, and right now, UNC lacks that kind of difference-maker.
“Beyond X’s and O’s, the intensity and fight on the court aren’t meeting Carolina’s standards. So, what needs to change? It all comes down to personnel. The team needs a strong presence at the four spot. I know fans are frustrated, but I truly believe this is a personnel issue. Hiring a general manager could help address some of these concerns.”
WILL A GENERAL MANAGER HELP HUBERT DAVIS, UNC?
Vippolis: “I’m not convinced that hiring a GM will suddenly make Hubert Davis a significantly better coach. Under his leadership, North Carolina is 20-32 in Quad 1 games, including a disappointing 1-10 record this season. Even if you exclude this year, the team still has a losing record in those high-level matchups—something you wouldn’t typically associate with UNC. A portion of the fanbase has already lost faith in Hubert, and he’ll need to earn their trust back.”
Berry: “A GM would allow him to focus on coaching rather than juggling negotiations and roster management. He also needs to evaluate his staff—are his assistants meeting expectations? Are they bringing in players who truly fit Carolina’s culture? The team needs to establish an identity. Right now, there isn’t much to build on besides playing fast, and that approach isn’t working. Moving forward, Bubba Cunningham has to fully support Coach Davis’ vision for the program. If they’re aligned, UNC has the foundation to turn things around. Changes need to happen—there are some positives, but at the moment, it’s a frustrating and disappointing situation.”
UNC WAITED TOO LONG TO HIRE A GM
Berry: “You have to be willing to adapt and evolve. How does a program like St. Bonaventure hire a GM before North Carolina? It doesn’t add up. Duke is recruiting the same caliber of players as UNC, yet they’ve already brought in a GM while Carolina hasn’t. Why are we falling behind? Is this issue bigger than just Coach Davis?
What people see on the court is the end result, but they don’t see everything happening behind the scenes—that’s where the real work happens. The product on the floor is disappointing, but it’s a symptom of a deeper issue that should have been addressed long ago. This is what happens when you run a program like a business but fail to stay ahead of the curve. Other programs are making the necessary moves, and Carolina is playing catch-up.”
WHERE DOES HUBERT DAVIS ACTUALLY RANK AMONG THE TOP COACHES IN CBB?
Vippolis: “Here’s something to consider—if every college basketball coach’s contract expired at the same time, how many programs would be calling coaches like Nate Oats, Bruce Pearl, Dan Hurley, Rick Barnes, Kelvin Sampson, and Matt Painter? Now, how many would be calling Hubert Davis?
North Carolina is supposed to be the gold standard in college basketball. I’m not sure where Davis ranks among the sport’s top coaches. UNC took a gamble on someone without prior head coaching experience for what is undeniably a top-five job in the country. This is a program with national championship expectations every year. They bet on his potential to grow into the role, but leading Carolina basketball is a responsibility that requires careful handling. I don’t envy the position Bubba Cunningham is in right now.”
MAJOR CHANGE MIGHT BE NEEDED IF UNC IS A BUBBLE TEAM NEXT YEAR
Berry: “If UNC finds itself on the bubble again next season, something significant has to change. Look at Louisville—they brought in a new coach in the offseason and managed to turn things around in just one year. Coach Davis is capable of doing that, but it comes down to bringing in the right players who fit his system. The pieces are there to make a quick turnaround.
“But if they end up as a bubble team again, it’s clear that a major change—whether it’s a coaching move or something else—needs to happen. I keep emphasizing resources because they make all the difference. UNC missed out on a key player like Clifford Omoruyi, and in basketball, one impact player—like Brady Manek—can completely change a team’s trajectory. Right now, Coach Davis doesn’t have the right personnel to execute his vision.”
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