While the end result wasn’t up to par with the North Carolina standard, there are some key things the Tar Heels can carry with them from last season to the next.
While some areas on the stat sheetneed improvement, the Heels showed strength in others, and heading into next season, they should aim to keep it that way.
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Turnover Percentage
Mar 19, 2026; Greenville, SC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Derek Dixon (3) dribbles the ball against the VCU Rams in the first half of a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
The Heels were a relatively clean team last season. As a matter of fact, almost too clean. They boasted a 12.2% adjusted turnover percentage, one of the lowest among Power Five schools.
The issue is that while they protected the ball well, they struggled to take it away from the other team. If next season they can continue to protect the ball and learn to take it from opponents, it could give them a major advantage throughout the season.
Personal Fouls
North Carolina Tar Heels center Henri Veesaar (13) celebrates after scoring Thursday, March 19, 2026, during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament first round game against the VCU Rams at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina. VCU Rams won 82-78 in OT. | Alex Martin/Greenville News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Speaking of playing clean, the Tar Heels were among the least penalized teams last season, with only 14.7 personal fouls per game. Only Minnesota had a lower rate than them among all Power Five teams.
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Keeping this clean play can be a good set of rules to live by, but there’s a fine line between playing clean and not being aggressive enough. Carolina needs to play with an aggressive mindset, while also staying out of foul trouble, a fine line to walk in college basketball.
Defensive Rebounds Per Game
Feb 7, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar…
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Publish date : 2026-06-02 12:00:00
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