What the numbers say about UNC’s defense so far

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What the numbers say about UNC’s defense so far

Grant Chachere, Tar Heels Wire · Tar Heels Wire

Thu, Jan 1, 2026 ·

2 min read

Scoring Defense: A+

Dec 22, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; East Carolina Pirates center Giovanni Emejuru (7) backs down on North Carolina Tar Heels center Henri Veesaar (13) during the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

Opponents are averaging only 63.7 points per game against North Carolina, the 15th-best mark in Division I. Contrast that with the Tar Heels' 81.2 points per game, and you get a scoring margin of 17.9 points.

Foes are shooting just 36.1% from the field, which ranks fourth nationally and second in the ACC behind Duke. They are converting only 40.5% on 2-point attempts, second nationally according to KenPom, and 28.2% from 3-point range, which ranks 21st.

Combine that 3-point defense with their overall field goal numbers, and Carolina owns a defensive field goal efficiency of 36.1%, the best mark in the ACC and the fourth-best in the country.

Blocks and Steals: B-

Dec 7, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Caleb Wilson (8) and forward Jarin Stevenson (15) block the shot of Georgetown Hoyas forward Jayden Fort (0) in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

North Carolina ranks 94th nationally with 4.1 blocks per game. The Tar Heels are getting their share of rejections, but their real strength lies in how their size, length, and athleticism enable them to alter shots around the rim. They have also done a good job of building a wall in the deep paint. This is a defense that contests shots rather than constantly attacking passing lanes.

As good as the defense has been, the Tar Heels do not generate many steals, averaging only 5.6 per game, which ranks 311th nationally. They also don't create many turnovers overall, forcing just 9.6 per game — last in the ACC and 349th in Division I.

Rebounding: A-

Dec 22, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Caleb Wilson (8) battles with East Carolina Pirates guard Jordan Riley (12) and center Giovanni Emejuru (7) during the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

North Carolina is grabbing 42.6 rebounds per game, which leads the ACC and ranks 13th nationally. The Tar Heels are averaging 30.2 defensive rebounds per game, which also leads the ACC and is seventh nationally. North Carolina's opponents have an offensive rebounding rate of 27.6%, which ranks 68th nationally, which isn't bad at all.

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