Projecting UNC’s 2026-27 starting lineup under Michael Malone

New head coach Michael Malone and North Carolina have done a strong job building their roster through the transfer portal so far.

The Tar Heels have found a high-value point guard, added two productive transfers, a top international prospect and brought back key players from last season. They still need another backcourt depth piece and a starting big man to replace outgoing center Henri Veesaar, but the core is in place.

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While the lineup is not complete, here are early projections for North Carolina’s rotation to start the 2026-27 season. The depth chart will likely change as the Tar Heels finish building the roster.

G Terrence Brown, Sr. (6-3, 160)

Feb 28, 2026; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Utah Utes guard Terrence Brown (2) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Desert Financial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The All-Big 12 point guard averaged 19.9 points, 3.8 assists and 2.4 rebounds for Utah last season while shootingt 45.3% from the field and 32.7% from 3-point range.

The 6-foot-3 rising senior has shown he can be a capable defender, averaging 1.7 steals per game throughout his career. His career best was 2.2 steals per game in 2024-25 with Fairleigh Dickinson, which led the Northeast Conference.

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G Matt Able, Soph. (6-6, 205)

Mar 12, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; NC State Wolfpack guard Matt Able (3) and Virginia Cavaliers forward Devin Tillis (11) fight for the ball in the first half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Able should see a big jump in production at UNC after a solid freshman year off the bench at NC State. He averaged 8.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 21.8 minutes over 34 games, shooting 41.6% from the field, 35.5% from 3 and 79.6% at the foul line.

In 18 ACC games, he averaged 9.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 1.1 steals and just 0.9 turnovers in 23.5 minutes, while shooting 42.1% from the floor, 37.3% from 3 and 83.3% on free throws.

F Neoklis Avdalas, Soph. (6-9, 215)

BLACKSBURG, VIRGINIA…

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Publish date : 2026-04-29 19:30:00

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