When a program has a new head coach, it’s an exciting time, but that optimism can also be very fragile. Every mistake is accentuated when there is no history to rely on, and Michael Malone has made a few since he unexpectedly took over at UNC.
Despite being underappreciated nationally, Malone has assembled a formidable team that has the potential to become a legitimate ACC challenger in 2026–2027. Additionally, building is still ongoing. After Hubert Davis’s disappointing results, the Tar Heels will be ready to improve with one more splash on the global stage. However, the atmosphere in Chapel Hill might swiftly shift if he made one more poor decision, whether it was due to his own actions or anything else.
There are always reasons to be concerned, even with the finest teams. The reasons to be concerned are clear for UNC.
1. Matt Able staying in the NBA Draft
Matt Able entered the NBA Draft and the Transfer Portal following an outstanding rookie season at NC State. It was thought that the 6-foot-5 knockdown shooter would eventually drop out of the NBA Draft and play collegiate basketball when he committed to UNC. That’s not exactly a given, though, as the NBA Draft combine draws near.
Once more, it’s possible that Able will eventually move to Chapel Hill, but for now, he’s training for the Combine in Los Angeles, and in recent interviews, he seems utterly committed to joining the league.
UNC would face difficulties if Able continued to be drafted. Able and Jarin Stevenson don’t provide much consistent shooting, but the Tar Heels have assembled a team with good perimeter size. Without Able on the wing, either senior Jaydon Young or freshman Maximo Adams would have to start, both of whom would be inferior to Able’s ability to make shots.
Malone’s first offseason has gone well, but with Able on the team, the Tar Heels already lack proven depth. It would be hard to feel confident about the rotation going into the season without him.
2. Which international center will Michael Malone add
The NBA is where Henri Veesaar is going. Due to this reality, Malone was had to travel abroad, where he was able to acquire Malian seven-footer Sayon Keita from FC Barcelona. Keita, who is still developing physically at the age of 18, would benefit from a year of experience before taking on a significant role for the Tar Heels. Malone, regrettably, might not have that luxury.
UNC is trying to bring in another big international player, either to support Keita or, perhaps better yet, to take the starting five slot and push Keita to the bench. However, it has proven challenging to determine which of those targets UNC actually hits.
Luis Suigo, an Italian seven-footer, was considered a target, but he seems to have put an end to such speculations. Senegalese prospect Momo Faye, who plays professionally in Paris, and French seven-footer Brice Dessert have both been mentioned as potential candidates.
Malone is most likely selecting from those possibilities, or more accurately, hoping that they will select him and his program. However, nothing is certain, and the Tar Heels have a glaring gap in their front court until UNC signs another big man from abroad.
3. Will UNC’s offseason haul fit together
There is enough clarity to comprehend Malone’s goal for the UNC program, even though his roster composition is still incomplete and an international big man may significantly alter the situation. With gigantic initiators like Neoklis Avdalas and five-star freshman Maximo Adams, the former NBA champion prioritizes positional size in the back court and on the wing.
In light of college basketball’s desire to enlarge its front courts in the manner of Michigan and Florida, that isn’t a bad way to construct. You will be a challenging matchup every single night if you can nearly match that size but do it with players who can handle a few pick-and-roll possessions every game or grab-and-go in transition.
However, the same concern that many supersized teams have is whether they have adequate shooting. The Tar Heels lack aggressiveness despite UNC’s length, but those teams can often get by without it because to their rebounding advantage and rim dominance. Like Stevenson and Avdalas, Keita weighs just 215 pounds.
There is a version of this UNC team that is unable to space the floor and intimidate teams inside, particularly given Terrence Brown’s shooting issues and tendency to attack the rim. Although it’s not the most likely result, it falls within the range of potential outcomes and is by far the most worrisome.
