UNC basketball was front and center for its top 2023 recruiting target last Thursday. And yes, 5-star point guard Robert Dillingham was quite aware. "I definitely notice who’s here on Day One," Dillingham, the No. 11 recruit in the class of 2023 said. "It’s not something I hold against a school if they don’t come. But yeah, I notice who came out Day One." (Fayetteville Observer)
In 1921, the University of North Carolina became a founding member of the Southern Conference. Bunny Hearn became head coach of the Tar Heel baseball program in 1932, serving in that capacity for the next 15 years. The Tar Heels would win six Southern Conference baseball titles during the Hearn era, as well as two wartime Ration League titles in 1943 and 1945. In 1947, Hearn suffered a stroke and chose to relinquish his head coaching duties. Walter Rabb would thereafter take over as head coach of the Tar Heel baseball program, though Hearn remained as a coach at North Carolina for another ten years.
The university's campus is informally divided into three regions, usually referred to as "north campus," "middle campus," and "south campus." North campus includes the two quads along with the Pit, Frank Porter Graham Student Union, and the Davis, House, and Wilson libraries. Almost all classrooms are located in north campus along with several undergraduate residence halls.[73] Middle campus includes Fetzer Field and Woollen Gymnasium along with the Student Recreation Center, Kenan Memorial Stadium, Irwin Belk outdoor track, Eddie Smith Field House, Boshamer Stadium, Carmichael Auditorium, Sonja Haynes Stone Center for Black Culture and History, School of Government, School of Law, George Watts Hill Alumni Center, Ram's Head complex (with a dining hall, parking garage, grocery store, and gymnasium), and various residence halls.[73] South campus includes the Dean Smith Center for men's basketball, Koury Natatorium, School of Medicine, UNC Hospitals, Kenan–Flagler Business School, and the newest student residence halls.[73]
In 2011, the first of several investigations found fraud and academic dishonesty at the university related to its athletic program.[49] Following a lesser scandal that began in 2010 involving academic fraud and improper benefits with the university's football program, two hundred questionable classes offered by the university's African and Afro-American Studies department (commonly known as AFAM) came to light. As a result, the university was placed on probation by its accrediting agency in 2015.[50][51] It was removed from probation in 2016.[52]
There was a mass exodus out of Jeff Capel’s program, starting with standout forward Justin Champagnie, who turned pro, and continuing with four transfers, headlined by guards Xavier Johnson and Au’Diese Toney. Texas Tech transfer Jamarius Burton and Femi Odukale will be expected to handle the ball this season, while a trio of post transfers, including top JuCo forward Chris Payton, will be counted on to provide the Panthers with options in the paint.
The Hurricanes return a solid frontcourt combo in All-ACC guard Isaiah Wong and the oft-injured Kameron McGusty. While Chris Lykes and Earl Timberlake are no longer in Coral Gables, Jim Larranaga does have some talented options in Harland Beverly, Anthony Walker and Sam Waardenburg, who missed all of the last season due to injury. DePaul transfer Charlie Moore will help at point guard, while George Mason transfer Jordan Miller will provide an undersized body at in the post, but the Hurricanes will be thin once again in the frontcourt.
