IC Daily: Smith Center Decision Looms for UNC Basketball

Inside Carolina's senior reporter Greg Barnes discusses the looming decision on the Smith Center's future at UNC. Renovations, locations and capacity debates have gone of for years when it comes to the aging legendary arena on south campus and as Barnes reports, those making the much anticipated decisions are ready to move forward into the new era of Carolina Basketball. Barnes outlines the details and the timeline and what fans can expect in the years to come. The Inside Carolina Podcast network features a wide range of current UNC sports topics, from game previews and instant postgame analysis, to recruiting breakdowns. IC’s stable of writers, insiders and analysts -- plus special guests -- comprise each program. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Inside Carolina's Greg Barnes and Tommy Ashley discuss North Carolina's offensive coordinator search, what Bill Belichick is after in the hire and when the timing is right for the Tar Heels to have the new coach in place as the opening of the transfer portal looms in early January 2026. The Inside Carolina Podcast network features a wide range of current UNC sports topics, from game previews and instant postgame analysis, to recruiting breakdowns. IC’s stable of writers, insiders and analysts -- plus special guests -- comprise each program. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

North Carolina only played once this past week as they had their usual exam break to wrap the fall semester. The Tar Heels looked every bit of a distracted team, and will need to tighten up before ACC play begins in just over two weeks. Sherrell McMillan and Sean Moran join Joey Powell to dissect it all. The Coast to Coast is delivered by Salvio's Pizzeria in Cary, an award-winning, go-to local pizza spot for game days, catering, family meals, events, and more. They've been serving Tar Heel fans for over twenty years. Pickup, delivery, or dine in. More info at Salviospizza.com. The Inside Carolina Podcast network features a wide range of current UNC sports topics, from game previews and instant postgame analysis, to recruiting breakdowns. IC’s stable of writers, insiders and analysts -- plus special guests -- comprise each program. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

North Carolina’s win on Saturday, 80-62 over USC Upstate, was not pretty. But several positives came from the messy outing, including improved three point shooting (10-23 overall) and Jonathan Powell’s performance eased some questions about bench play for Hubert Davis’s team heading deep into December. Greg Barnes and Tommy Ashley team up on the Inside Carolina Postgame to discuss the game and key takeaways from UNC’s ninth win on the season. The Inside Carolina Podcast network features a wide range of current UNC sports topics, from game previews and instant postgame analysis, to recruiting breakdowns. IC’s stable of writers, insiders and analysts -- plus special guests -- comprise each program. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Greg Barnes and Tommy Ashley turn to basketball in this edition as Hubert Davis successfully navigated both the high school ranks and the transfer portal to acquire his two impressive big men - Caleb Wilson and Henri Veesaar. Barnes discusses the two early season UNC stars and the commitment to the money game North Carolina has made to reestablish the program among the elite in the ACC and nationally. The Inside Carolina Podcast network features a wide range of current UNC sports topics, from game previews and instant postgame analysis, to recruiting breakdowns. IC’s stable of writers, insiders and analysts -- plus special guests -- comprise each program. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Greg Barnes and Tommy Ashley discuss the news that Freddie Kitchens is out as offensive coordinator at North Carolina. The move opens up a huge position coach need for Bill Belichick and crew in a major area of need for the program. Along side the Kitchens news, Belichick has relieved Special Teams coach Mike Priefer of his duties in that role as well. Barnes discusses what's next for Belichick, Mike Lombardi and the decision makers in the Kenan Football Center as the calendar nears 2026. The Inside Carolina Podcast network features a wide range of current UNC sports topics, from game previews and instant postgame analysis, to recruiting breakdowns. IC’s stable of writers, insiders and analysts -- plus special guests -- comprise each program. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It has been an eventful year in Chapel Hill as exactly one year ago, the North Carolina Tar Heels embarked on the Bill Belichick era and after a tumultuous first season with results no one wanted or expected, the second 365 days start now. The Inside Carolina crew of Greg Barnes, Jason Staples and Don Callahan join Tommy Ashley for a wide-ranging discussion of what went wrong, what went right and what lessons were (hopefully) learned for a coach and UNC coaching staff figuring out the college game on the fly. The IC panel also discusses what progress looks like over the next 365 days and how this program can get back to relevance on the football field. The Inside Carolina Podcast network features a wide range of current UNC sports topics, from game previews and instant postgame analysis, to recruiting breakdowns. IC’s stable of writers, insiders and analysts -- plus special guests -- comprise each program. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Inside Carolina's senior reporter Greg Barnes joins Tommy Ashley for a quick look at Bill Belichick's first year at North Carolina. Expectations, hype, reality and the roller coaster those first 365 days in Chapel Hill were for the professional football legend. Barnes highlights the tasks at hand going into 2026 and the commitment to football the school has and continues to make. The Inside Carolina Podcast network features a wide range of current UNC sports topics, from game previews and instant postgame analysis, to recruiting breakdowns. IC’s stable of writers, insiders and analysts -- plus special guests -- comprise each program. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Inside Carolina football recruiting expert Don Callahan joins Tommy Ashley for a status check and potential portal needs for the North Carolina defense. Callahan discusses the current roster along with incoming freshmen and how those two groups of talent blend to determine necessary additions once the portal opens in January. The discussion wraps with a quasi ranking of the strength of each position group on both sides of the ball currently. The Inside Carolina Podcast network features a wide range of current UNC sports topics, from game previews and instant postgame analysis, to recruiting breakdowns. IC’s stable of writers, insiders and analysts -- plus special guests -- comprise each program. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Inside Carolina's senior reporter Greg Barnes outlines the check list for Bill Belichick and his staff and the need for information as North Carolina football heads into 2026. The differences in the NFL and college offseason, timing of change and priorities are all covered in today's edition. The Inside Carolina Podcast network features a wide range of current UNC sports topics, from game previews and instant postgame analysis, to recruiting breakdowns. IC’s stable of writers, insiders and analysts -- plus special guests -- comprise each program. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.