What Can Be Learned from UNC's Two Opposing Defensive Halves At Cal?

Posted Jan 19, 2026
Continuing its inexplicable defensive woes, UNC couldn’t have played worse in Saturday’s first half. After surrendering 45 first-half points at Stanford on Wednesday, the Tar Heels allowed 54 before halftime to a Cal team that scored 56 total in its previous game. But hopefully something can be gleaned from UNC's second-half comeback moving forward. (Inside Carolina)

Related: Basketball, Basketball Recruiting

History: The Smith Center's Grand Opening
Hollywood couldn’t have scripted the scene any better. It was Saturday, Jan. 18, 1986 and the North Carolina Tar Heels were hosting the Duke Blue...
Mon Jan 19, 2026

ESPN says 'technical issue' led fans to miss large chunk of UNC vs. Cal basketball game
The frustration of watching North Carolina fall behind by 20 points at Cal on Saturday wasn’t the only maddening experience for Tar Heels fans. ESPN’s...
Mon Jan 19, 2026

Art’s Angle: Not Good Enough
Three nights after Hubert Davis’ team was outscored 11-3 in the closing minutes, the UNC coach was asked how it could possibly be guilty of...
Sun Jan 18, 2026

UNC Men's Basketball moves up in NET rankings after Quad 1 loss at Cal
The NET rankings can be confounding, but that was good for UNC after it lost a second Quad 1 game in California. The Tar Heels’...
Sun Jan 18, 2026