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Five takeaways from UNC basketball's preseason finale
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- Five takeaways from UNC basketball's preseason finale
Tuesday night had all the excitement in Chapel Hill. Not only did it mark UNC's first home basketball game since early March, but also fans' first time seeing Michael Malone coach inside the Dean Dome.
North Carolina welcomed the Charlotte 49ers , featuring former Tar Heels Wes Miller and Marcus Paige , for one final exhibition tilt. UNC showed how good of a team it can be vs. USC , beating the Trojans by 18 in their preseason opener, while struggling greatly at Indiana.
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North Carolina nearly suffered another loss on Tuesday, but roared back in the fourth quarter and dominated in overtime, beating Charlotte 89-82 in a closer-than-expected result.
Terrence Brown starred in front of his new home crowd, leading all scorers with 27 points. Brown delivered the game-tying free throw late in regulation, thanks to a mental blunder by the 49ers, then scored the Tar Heels' final three points in overtime.
UNC shot under 25 percent at one point in the first half, but the best way to break out of a slump is to keep shooting. North Carolina took that to heart, ending over 50% from the field. The Tar Heels struggled defensively, allowing the 49ers to build a 14-point lead early, but limited their opponents to just two overtime makes.
UNC struggled on the offensive glass, allowing too many second-chance points, but did a solid job finishing at the hoop. North Carolina missed 10 free throws, an area it struggled in at Indiana , but sent the game to overtime at the charity stripe.
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Games now count for the Tar Heels, who host Western Carolina on Monday at 7 p.m. for their regular season opener. Until then, read our top five takeaways from tonight's preseason finale.
UNC will count on Terrence Brown plenty for big games
Every good team has a go-to scorer who can close games in clutch moments. On Tuesday night, Brown was every bit of that go-to guy.
Brown more-than-doubled his scoring total from North Carolina's first two preseason games, making nine shots and seven free throws. Brown sent Tuesday's clash into overtime with a free throw, then scored the Tar Heels' final three points.
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Malone wanted Brown for his scoring ability. Come regular season play, the Utah transfer will be counted on plenty more for these types of performances.
The Tar Heels need help down low
Oct 18, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels center Sayon Keita (21) blocks Indiana Hoosiers forward Aiden Sherrell (22) during the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
Sayon Keita is everything UNC could ask for in a starting center. Jarin Stevenson can play the 5-spot if needed, as can 6'11" forward Alex Samodurov.
7-footer Cameron Fens is still ineligible. Cade Bennerman didn't play in any of North Carolina's three preseason games. Both are big bodies who can help Keita in the post.
If Fens isn't eligible and Bennerman stays on the bench, the Tar Heels need additional answers alongside Keita down low.
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Jaydon Young's improvement will help UNC win games
Oct 18, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Jaydon Young (4) celebrates after making a three-pointer against the Indiana Hoosiers during the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
Young played just 7.2 minutes per game last year for North Carolina, starting four of his 31 appearances and averaging 1.8 points per game.
The senior guard from Goldsboro, who grew up a Tar Heels fan, scored 25 points across three preseason games. Young led UNC's bench with 11 points on Tuesday night, his second-most in Carolina Blue.
Young will continue helping North Carolina win games if he consistently averages 10 points, whether Malone starts him or brings him off the bench.
Free throw shooting has to be fixed
Oct 18, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Neo Avdalas (17) dribbles the ball against the Indiana Hoosiers during the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
UNC's free throw shooting sent Tuesday's game into overtime, but left plenty of points on the scoreboard. The Tar Heels only made 17 of their 27 attempts from the charity stripe, while Charlotte sank 14 of 18.
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Good free throw shooting, something North Carolina didn't have Tuesday, wins games. UNC has to make its freebies to win more games this fall.
Versatility is a huge plus on this roster
North Carolina Tar Heels forward Jarin Stevenson (15) expresses frustration Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026, during the first half of an exhibition game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Stevenson can play any position 1-5. Avdalas is a 6'9" guard with a huge rebounding advantage. Matt Able is a tall guard, while Maximo Adams and Kevin Thomas can play either guard or forward.
Having several Tar Heels with this type of versatility will be helpful for Malone, who can create catchup nightmares for any opponent.
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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: Five takeaways from UNC basketball's preseason finale
