NCAA Tournament shows UNC basketball program is in fix-it mode
UNC has the history, but Michigan and UConn sport the recent success. How do the three basketball programs compare?
The 2025-26 college basketball season is almost over. On Monday night, Michigan and UConn will battle for the National Championship. UNC looked well en route to a deep NCAA Tournament run, before injuries set in.
Even without Caleb Wilson , North Carolina led VCU by 19 points in its 2026 NCAA Tournament opener, before an epic collapse that led to firing Hubert Davis. Even if the Tar Heels won that game, there's no telling how much further they advance. There is one thing apparent, though: the Michigan and UConn programs are miles ahead of UNC.
Two seasons ago, the Wolverines won just eight games and looked like the worst Power Four team in all of college basketball. Now, Michigan is playing in its second-straight NCAA Tournament under Dusty May , a North Carolina coaching target amongst the sport's best. What can't the Huskies do?
Regardless of who graduates and/or transfers, UConn reloads year-after-year. The Huskies, a perfect 6-0 in past National Championship games, will play for their third title in four seasons. Dan Hurley is the best coach in college basketball – and the Tar Heels hope they can lure him to Chapel Hill.