Since Roy Williams' departure following the 2020-21 season, UNC Basketball has quietly shifted their team-building strategy. Previously, like most "blue-bloods," the team relied on an influx of one-and-done players to lead the team each year. Williams retired, and left the keys to the building on the desk of his longtime assistant, Hubert Davis. In the 3.5 years that Davis has been at the helm, he has put a silent yet noticeable emphasis on retaining players for longer periods of time.
In just his first year, Davis led the 8 seeded Tar Heels to the national championship game. They even led Kansas by double digits at half time before losing in heart breaking fashion. Still, every single member of their starting 5 that was eligible to return did so, despite the fact that they had each boosted their draft stock dramatically. Now, it should definitely be noted that the team struggled mightily and even missed the tournament in that return season. Oddly enough, most of their struggles could be attributed to a drop in team chemistry, as each of those "Big 3" were trying to make more of a name for themselves. Following that disappointment, G Caleb Love transferred and F Leaky Black went to the NBA, seeing as he used up his eligibility.
Somehow, though, Hubert Davis convinced RJ Davis and Armando Bacot -- the clear-cut best players on the team -- to return. They did lose a few key bench players, but filled it in well by developing players and even convincing G Elliot Cadeau to re-class and play a year ahead. Cadeau, paired with Bacot and Davis, played well together and carried the Tar Heels to a 1 seed. Despite a Sweet 16 loss and losing an all time legend in Bacot, the team felt strong going into Hubert Davis's first year, especially considering both Cadeau and RJ Davis decided to come back.
Hubert Davis faced a mini crisis after his 3rd year, when promising sophomore guard Seth Trimble entered the transfer portal. He wasn't there for long, though, as he eventually decided he wanted to stay in Chapel Hill and exited the portal.
That brings us to another are where Davis has struggled. The transfer portal has not been very nice to the Tar Heels in the post-Roy Williams era. Most recently, their big money transfer was Belmont's Cade Tyson, who is averaging right around 3 points per game and has made no real impact outside of 1 game against LaSalle. He has gotten some notable players, like Pete Nance and Jaelyn Withers. Still, it hasn't been enough to keep up with other major D1 teams.
It's hard to say as of right now if this new identity is working for UNC. The inactivity in the transfer portal and fairly poor recruiting (comparative to other top teams) has created major holes on the roster, most notably at the Center position this year. I will say, it has made the team more engaging for the fans, as they don't have to memorize 5 new starters' names each year, but the team has been inconsistent, even if their high points have been the best in the NCAA.
Some of their most influential players since Hubert Davis took over, but it has come at the cost of less impact from freshman. Brady Manek, RJ Davis, and Armando Bacot have done so much for this program, but their play came from a sacrifice of top recruits. Ian Jackson and Drake Powell, though, have been contributors this season and have shown the possibility of improved recruiting classes. They recently got a recruitment from 2025 #6 Caleb Wilson, who will come in to a weak roster and will need to carry a large chunk of the load.
Davis represents an older form of college basketball coaching, but it remains to be seen if that is the right move for the team.
Eli Knight
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