Worst UNC Basketball Start Since Last Time Tar Heels Prepared for UCLA

Five years ago, UNC basketball was 6-5 while gearing up to face the Bruins.
UNC basketball
UNC basketball / Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

A sense of déjà vu should serve as a warning sign to the UNC basketball program after the unranked Tar Heels (6-5, 1-0 ACC) suffered a 90-84 defeat at the hands of the No. 7-ranked Florida Gators (11-0, 0-0 SEC) at the Jumpman Invitational in Charlotte's Spectrum Center on Tuesday night.

ALSO READ: UNC Continues Program's Toughest Early Slate in Six Decades

As was the case with the 2019-20 Tar Heels, the 2024-25 team began the season at No. 9 in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll before falling out completely by the third week of December. Also identical to 2019-20, the 2024-25 Tar Heels are 6-5 and getting ready for a CBS Sports Classic bout against the UCLA Bruins.

Unfortunately for the Tar Heels, 2019-20 didn't provide a blueprint for turning things around.

No, after bouncing back from a four-game losing streak with back-to-back wins over UCLA and Yale, that UNC basketball squad — under the command of three-time national champion Roy Williams and then-assistant Hubert Davis — pretty much lost all hope by losing five straight en route to an absolutely dismal 2-12 stretch.

Nevertheless, Hubert Davis' fourth batch of Tar Heels still has hope. That said, a noticeable chunk of the fanbase is expressing considerably less trust in the 54-year-old's ability to right a ship when compared to his predecessor.

With an 0-5 mark against opponents who currently rank in the top 20, it's vital for UNC to get back on the right track via a statement CBS Sports Classic performance against the No. 18 UCLA Bruins (10-1, 2-0 Big Ten) in New York City's Madison Square Garden at 3 p.m. ET Saturday (CBS).

The ACC's stock has reached an all-time low, as No. 5 Duke and No. 25 Clemson are the only ranked members. In other words, the meeting with UCLA might be one of only a few remaining opportunities for the Tar Heels to record a victory over a ranked-at-the-time foe.

Stay tuned to North Carolina Tar Heels On SI for more UNC basketball news.


Published
Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining UNC on SI in 2023, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.