Tar Heels Lean on 'Just Us' Mantra During Tough Season

North Carolina players embrace team-first mentality to overcome adversity and outside criticism.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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When the North Carolina Tar Heels faced adversity and outside criticism this season, they turned inward and leaned on a team-first mentality centered around the phrase "just us." Coach Hubert Davis introduced the concept before the season, placing each player's name in a connected circle to symbolize their tight-knit bond. As the season progressed and the Tar Heels encountered losses and outside noise, they repeatedly returned to this "just us" mindset to stay focused on what mattered most - supporting each other and doing what was best for the team.

Why it matters

In a college basketball landscape filled with constant opinions and nonstop noise from media and fans, the Tar Heels' ability to tune out the outside distractions and maintain a team-first mentality has been crucial to their success this season. The "just us" concept has helped the players stay connected and celebrate each other's contributions, even when facing adversity.

The details

Coach Hubert Davis introduced the "just us" concept before the season, giving each player a small handbook with their names in a connected circle. He emphasized the importance of staying together as a tight-knit group, no matter the challenges they faced. As the Tar Heels encountered losses and outside criticism, they repeatedly returned to this mantra, using it to block out noise and keep the main thing the main thing. Players like Henri Veesaar and Seth Trimble have embraced the message, saying it has allowed them to celebrate each other's success and not worry about individual roles or minutes.

  • Before the season, Coach Davis introduced the "just us" concept to the team.
  • Throughout the season, the Tar Heels have continued to lean on the "just us" mantra during difficult stretches.

The players

Hubert Davis

The head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels, who introduced the "just us" concept to the team before the season.

Henri Veesaar

A center for the North Carolina Tar Heels who has embraced the "just us" mentality and says it has allowed the team to stay connected and celebrate each other's success.

Seth Trimble

A veteran guard for the North Carolina Tar Heels who has described the "just us" phrase as the team's "number one stat" and a guiding principle that has helped them block out outside noise.

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What they’re saying

“I feel like he just kept saying all the time it's like the center circle, like it has a lot of meanings, but he just meant like a team's circle overall. Everybody's in it, we all fight for each other, and everybody's equal. Being able to keep everybody on this team in the circle and not letting other people in. Don't let anybody pull you out.”

— Henri Veesaar, Center (tarheeltribune.com)

“It'd be our number one stat. Keeping our circle just us, hearing only just us and relying on just us takes us such a long way.”

— Seth Trimble, Guard (tarheeltribune.com)

What’s next

The Tar Heels will face their biggest test of the season on Saturday when they travel to Durham to take on No. 1 Duke. The team will look to lean on their "just us" mentality as they aim to pull off the upset and secure a key win in the rivalry game.

The takeaway

The Tar Heels' ability to maintain a team-first, "just us" mentality in the face of adversity and outside criticism has been a key factor in their success this season. This collective mindset has allowed them to stay connected, celebrate each other's contributions, and focus on what matters most - winning as a team.