UNC Men's Basketball Faces Rollercoaster Stretch

Tar Heels regroup after loss to Miami, injury to star freshman Caleb Wilson

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The North Carolina men's basketball team has endured a tumultuous stretch, including an emotional win over rival Duke, a road loss to Miami, and the injury of star freshman Caleb Wilson. Despite the setbacks, the Tar Heels regrouped to beat Pitt, but now face a crucial matchup against NC State with Wilson sidelined.

Why it matters

UNC's season has been a rollercoaster, with highs like the Duke win and lows like the Miami loss and Wilson's injury. The team's ability to rebound and adapt without their star freshman will be crucial as they navigate the remainder of the ACC schedule and look to secure a strong NCAA Tournament seed.

The details

After the emotional high of beating Duke at home, the Tar Heels suffered a road loss to Miami. The team was then dealt another blow when it was announced that star freshman Caleb Wilson would miss time with a broken bone in his left hand. Despite the mash-unit in the post, UNC was able to beat a struggling Pitt team at home, but now faces a crucial matchup against rival NC State.

  • On February 11, 2026, UNC beat Duke at home.
  • On February 14, 2026, UNC lost to Miami on the road.
  • On February 15, 2026, it was announced that Caleb Wilson would miss time with a broken bone in his left hand.
  • On February 16, 2026, UNC beat Pitt at home.
  • On February 18, 2026, UNC will travel to Raleigh to face NC State.

The players

Caleb Wilson

A star freshman for the North Carolina Tar Heels who will miss time due to a broken bone in his left hand.

Sherrell McMillan

A co-host of the Coast to Coast podcast, which discusses UNC basketball.

Sean Moran

A co-host of the Coast to Coast podcast, which discusses UNC basketball.

Joey Powell

A co-host of the Coast to Coast podcast, which discusses UNC basketball.

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What they’re saying

“Last week's emotional pinnacle (thus far) of beating Duke at home quickly cratered in Coral Gables this week as the North Carolina idled its way to a road loss.”

— Joey Powell, Coast to Coast Co-Host (on3.com)

“Carolina regrouped and with a mash-unit in the post, beat a hapless Pitt team in Chapel Hill to round out the most helter skelter stretch in quite some time with a trip to Raleigh on deck.”

— Joey Powell, Coast to Coast Co-Host (on3.com)

What’s next

The Tar Heels will travel to Raleigh on February 18, 2026 to face rival NC State in a crucial ACC matchup.

The takeaway

UNC's season has been a rollercoaster, with highs like the Duke win and lows like the Miami loss and Caleb Wilson's injury. The team's ability to rebound and adapt without their star freshman will be crucial as they navigate the remainder of the ACC schedule and look to secure a strong NCAA Tournament seed.