North Carolina basketball is back in season as the Tar Heels take on Fayetteville State at home Friday night in an exhibition match.

The Tar Heels are currently No. 6 in the 2014-15 preseason coaches’ poll, marking the 40th preseason top-10 ranking by the coaches.

That high ranking comes with the return of an impressive roster, led by junior Marcus Paige, who was named top point guard in the nation for the 2013-14 season by ESPN.com among a host of other honors. Paige will be joined at the point guard position by sophomore returner Nate Britt and freshman Joel Berry.

UNC’s front court is looking stronger this season, and much slimmer. Sophomore Kennedy Meeks made national attention this offseason by losing almost 50 pounds since stepping on campus in 2013, and fans are looking forward to see just how much the change will impact his game.

Carolina can expect improvement in another sophomore big-man, Isaiah Hicks, who was the star of a weekend exhibition trip to the Bahamas in mid-August. Hicks tallied a combined 32 points shooting 14-23 in two games. In 2013-2014, Hicks averaged just 1.2 points and 1 rebound per contest.

Fayetteville State finished with a 19-10 record in last year’s campaign and is predicted to finish third in the CIAA Southern Division this season. Senior forward Torian Showers averaged 9.1 points for the Broncos, scoring at 44.5% from the field alongside sophomore guard Josh Dawson, who averaged 9.4 points and 5.1 assists per game. Dawson is also the nephew of former Tar Heel player Jerry Stackhouse.

Carolina will host another exhibition game against Belmont Abbey on Friday, November 7 at 7:30 p.m.

Related Stories
‹
Chansky's Notebook: Most Talented Tar Heel?
Former UNC basketball mainstay Randy Wiel died earlier this week. Once upon a time, he was almost the Tar Heels' head coach.
You Can Go Home Again: Native Son Jarin Stevenson is Back in Chapel Hill
Jarin Stevenson’s commitment to Alabama in the summer of 2023 was a gut punch to anyone in Carolina Blue. The Seaforth High School superstar and son of a former Carolina women’s basketball player had been heavily recruited by UNC and was previously considered a future Tar Heel. But head coach Nate Oats and the Crimson […]
UNC Women's Basketball Ranked No. 11 in 2025-26 Preseason Poll
Carolina is ranked No. 11 in the AP’s preseason Top 25 poll. It’s the highest preseason ranking for the program since 2009, when the Tar Heels were ranked No. 4. Starting off at No. 1⃣1⃣ Highest preseason ranking since 2009. pic.twitter.com/XFXiAeDiR8 — Carolina Women's Basketball (@uncwbb) October 14, 2025 UNC returns two starters – guard […]
UNC Men's Basketball Ranked No. 25 in 2025-26 Preseason AP Poll
UNC men's basketball is ranked No. 25 in the preseason edition of the AP Top 25 poll, which was released Monday.
LEGOs, Stoicism and Basketball: UNC's Caleb Wilson is the Most Interesting Man in the World
Every morning, UNC freshman Caleb Wilson wakes up and reads Stoicism. “I feel like it’s beneficial to your mental health,” he said during a wide-ranging press conference at the Dean Smith Center Thursday afternoon. “I feel like it makes me approach the days differently […]
UNC Men's Basketball Brings Smiles, Laughter to ACC Tipoff
At least one high-profile team in Chapel Hill appears to be having fun. Head coach Hubert Davis, guard Seth Trimble and center Henri Veesaar were all in a jovial mood at the ACC Tipoff in Charlotte Tuesday afternoon, cracking smiles and telling jokes during their allotted 15 minutes at the podium. During Davis’ speaking time, […]
On Air Today: 97.9 The Hill's Michael Koh Live from ACC Tipoff in Charlotte
The Hill and Chapelboro.com sports reporter Michael Koh spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, October 7. Michael called in live from the ACC Tipoff event in Charlotte. He discussed interactions with UNC representatives, Head Coach Hubert Davis and players Seth Trimble and Henri Vieesaar. He discussed the relaxed and happy tone for the UNC coach and players, as well as gauging the general mood of the conference at the event, and more.
'You Play for So Much More': Highlights from UNC Men's Basketball's Day at the ACC Tipoff
UNC head coach Hubert Davis, guard Seth Trimble and center Henri Veesaar spoke at the ACC Tipoff in Charlotte Tuesday afternoon. The Tar Heels have a new-look roster this season, featuring multiple incoming transfers and freshmen. Trimble and forward James Brown are the only scholarship players returning from the 2024-25 season. Here are selected highlights […]
'Bringing the Legacy Back': Highlights from UNC Women's Basketball's Day at the ACC Tipoff
UNC head coach Courtney Banghart, guard Reniya Kelly and wing Indya Nivar spoke at the ACC Tip-Off in Charlotte Monday afternoon. The Tar Heels are coming off a run to the Sweet 16 last spring, which also saw the program host NCAA Tournament games in Carmichael Arena for the first time since 2015. Here are […]
Chansky's Notebook: Size and Shooting
UNC's revamped basketball roster is full of size and talent, but there is one apparent weakness which has shown itself.
›