2026 NCAA Tournament South Region bracket preview: Predictions, sleepers, players to watch
No. 6 seed North Carolina is this region's blue blood, and the Tar Heels will have their hands full from the jump against No. 11 seed VCU. With star freshman forward
Caleb Wilson out for the season, the Tar Heels are facing one of the tougher draws in the bracket. Getting past the Rams would likely mean facing No. 3 seed Illinois in the second round. (
CBS Sports)
After Clemson Loss, UNC Embraces ‘Chippy’ Response Entering March Madness
After a loss to Clemson exposed issues with toughness and consistency, North Carolina is trying to reset its edge before the NCAA Tournament begins. Following the Tar Heels' 80-79 loss to Clemson in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals on Thursday, several players were unsatisfied with their level of competitiveness. UNC was the less physical team. (
TarHeel247)
Entrepreneur, UNC alum gives back, a bagel at a time
Alex Brandwein left UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School in May 2020 with two big accomplishments: an MBA and a lease for a bagel shop a few blocks from campus. Five years later, the founder of Brandwein’s Bagels is back on campus. He helps welcome new graduate students and shares what he’s learned about starting a business with students. (
UNC.edu)
Hubert Davis Previews North Carolina's Matchup with VCU
Hubert Davis said he has liked his team's response to two straight losses and added the Tar Heels' competitive spirit has been up to par ahead of March Madness. "Anytime you get an opportunity to compete, it's real. We had a really good, competitive practice yesterday. A little chippy, which I'm fine with, and I'd like to bring that chippiness to Greenville." (
TarHeel247)
UNC vs. VCU: TV info, stats, scouting Rams, keys to game, and notes
The Rams’ trademark is physical, extended pressure. Whether full-court heat or aggressive half-court switching, they force turnovers to create offense. UNC must get strong guard play and avoid the live-ball turnovers. VCU’s defensive style often sends multiple bodies at the ball. This opens opportunities for kick-out 3-pointers and baseline cuts. (
Tar Heel Tribune)
Will Fans Turn Out For UNC Basketball's Tournament Appearance In Greenville?
If you go back to 2017, UNC was an NCAA Tournament one seed and Duke was a two seed playing in Greenville. When Duke took the court against South Carolina in the second round, a lot of Tar Heel fans in attendance played a big role in South Carolina pulling that upset. Do you see that same type of fan engagement in Greenville this week? (
Inside Carolina)
Former UNC RB Ty Chandler Signs With New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are signing former UNC and Minnesota Vikings running back
Ty Chandler. It's a one-year deal on the NFL minimum salary. Chandler, 28 in May, is seen as a potential home-run threat with a 40-yard dash time of 4.38 seconds. Chandler's best season came in 2023 when he rushed 102 times for 461 yards and three touchdowns. (
USA Today)
UNC Basketball among Top 10 most-watched men's games of 2025-26 regular season
North Carolina vs. Michigan State: Viewers: 6.5 million. Michigan State vs. UNC ranked as the second-most watched men’s college basketball game with 6.5 million viewers. Carolina at Duke: Viewers: 3.4 million. The rematch between Duke and UNC at Cameron Indoor Stadium drew drew 3.4 million viewers, just trailing the first game between the teams. (
On3.com)
Chansky’s Notebook: The Reward
UNC Women's Basketball has won 13 of its last 15 games, including wins over tournament teams such as NC State, Virginia, and Duke. Coach
Courtney Banghart met with the media Monday and was rightfully proud of her team getting into this position for a second straight season despite losing more than 70 percent of its production from a year ago. (
Chapelboro.com)
Caleb Wilson's Jersey Heading to the Smith Center Rafters
The Associated Press has voted University of North Carolina's
Caleb Wilson a second-team All-America, ensuring that the freshman forward will join 54 other
honored Tar Heels in the rafters of the Dean E. Smith Center. Wilson is currently the first North Carolina men's basketball player ever to lead the team in points, rebounds, and assists per game. (
GoHeels.com)
Video: Locked On Tar Heels - UNC Looks For Seth Trimble To Deliver In NCAA Tournament
UNC Basketball faces a win-or-go-home scenario as
Seth Trimble’s leadership,
Henri Veesaar’s inside dominance, and
Derek Dixon’s emergence at guard come into focus ahead of their NCAA Tournament clash with VCU. Can the Tar Heels break their 6-seed curse and push past the second round?
(
View Video)
Tue Mar 17
Former ACC referee Karl Hess shares Dean Smith stories
Karl Hess shared a couple of interesting
Dean Smith stories during a radio interview, offering a rare look at how the Hall of Fame coach interacted with officials and his heat-of-the-moment choices. The former ACC referee suggested he may have helped prevent then-UNC assistant
Phil Ford and Clemson coach Rick Barnes from going after each other. (
Tar Heel Tribune)
Video: Hubert Davis Tuesday Pre-NCAA Tournament Press Conference
North Carolina head men's basketball coach
Hubert Davis speaks with the media on Tuesday morning before he and his Tar Heels team boards the buses for Greenville, South Carolina to face the VCU Rams in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday.
(
View Video)
Tue Mar 17
UNC Men’s Basketball NCAA Tournament Opponent Breakdown: VCU
No. 6 seed UNC Men's Basketball begins its NCAA Tournament journey Thursday in Greenville, S.C. when it faces No. 11 seed VCU in the first round. The Rams enter with a 27-7 record and 15-3 mark in the Atlantic 10. They defeated Dayton to win their second straight Atlantic 10 Tournament title. If you aren’t familiar with VCU, here’s a quick breakdown: (
Chapelboro.com)
Breaking Down Western Illinois and the Rest of UNC Women's Basketball’s NCAA Tournament Pod
UNC Women's Basketball learned its NCAA Tournament destination Sunday, earning the No. 4 seed in the Fort Worth Region and the opportunity to host the first two rounds at Carmichael Arena. The Tar Heels open the tournament against 13-seed Western Illinois on Friday at 5:30 p.m. (ESPNU). Western Illinois enters the Tournament with a 26-5 record. (
TarHeel247)