North Carolina’s Main Focal Points Next Season

Apr 3, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; View of the team logos in a hallway after the game between the Gonzaga Bulldogs and the North Carolina Tar Heels in the championship game of the 2017 NCAA Men's Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. North Carolina defeated Gonzaga 71-65. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

North Carolina’s Main Focal Points Next Season

Originally posted on North Carolina Tar Heels on SI
By Logan Lazarczyk | Last updated May 7, 2026 11:00 AM ET

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It has been a rough patch in recent memory for the North Carolina Tar Heels, who have suffered first-round exits in the NCAA Tournament in two consecutive seasons. The lofty expectations stem from the program's historical success, and, obviously, making a brief appearance in March Madness is the bare minimum for North Carolina.

This past season's blunder against VCU was the final straw for Hubert Davis' tenure in Chapel Hill, which was marked by scrutiny and underwhelming performances. This was a monumental offseason for North Carolina, which is striving for excellence and championship banners, which is why the program hired Michael Malone as the Tar Heels' next head coach. Pursuing options with no historical tie to North Carolina illustrated the sense of urgency in Chapel Hill.

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While the Tar Heel faithful are not going to settle for anything less than a Final Four appearance, North Carolina needs to take the necessary steps to eventually reach that goal in the near future. With that being said, here are a couple of focal points for Malone and North Carolina in 2026.

Make It Past the First Weekend in NCAA Tournament

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As mentioned, those who support the Tar Heels expect major improvements from the team and will be assessed by what they do in March. However, this process will require baby steps, especially next season.

North Carolina has failed to make it out of the first round in back-to-back seasons, and even a second-round appearance is not going to cut it, understandably so. That said, given it is Malone's first season in Chapel Hill and this roster does not necessarily measure up to the top programs in the country, a Sweet 16 appearance would be a major win for Malone and the program.

Repair Reputation

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Over the last five years, the Tar Heels have underwhelmed. Yes, Davis led North Carolina to a National Championship appearance in 2022, but they were an 8-seed in the tournament. North Carolina followed that up by failing to qualify for the "Big Dance" the ensuing season.

During this half-decade stretch, the Tar Heels have lost some glow and fallen behind the other blue-blood programs. If Malone can revive a winning culture and prove that his long-term vision is the right approach, North Carolina could return to dominance. This yet-to-be-proven influence could be monumental in signing superstar recruits and transfers. However, that will not be realistic if the Tar Heels continue to struggle in the biggest moments.

This article first appeared on North Carolina Tar Heels on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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