- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
UNC's Hubert Davis Previews VCU Matchup, Discusses Response to ACC Tournament Loss
The Tar Heels head to Greenville, South Carolina for the NCAA Tournament first round game against VCU.
Mar. 17, 2026 at 3:22pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
North Carolina head coach Hubert Davis met with the media on Tuesday to preview his team's NCAA Tournament first round matchup against VCU. Davis discussed the Tar Heels' response to their recent losses in the ACC Tournament, highlighting the need for improved consistency on defense, rebounding, and limiting turnovers. He also noted the advantages of playing close to home in Greenville, South Carolina, where UNC fans will be able to easily travel to support the team.
Why it matters
UNC is looking to bounce back after consecutive losses in the ACC Tournament, which exposed some of the team's recurring issues. As they enter the NCAA Tournament, addressing those problems will be crucial for the Tar Heels to make a deep run. Playing in Greenville also provides a home-court advantage that could give UNC an edge in the opening rounds.
The details
Davis said the Tar Heels have focused on regaining the consistency that allowed them success earlier in the season, particularly on defense, rebounding, and limiting turnovers. He noted VCU's athletic and versatile defense as a key challenge, as well as the Rams' preference for quick possessions and shots at the rim or from 3-point range.
- UNC will face VCU on Thursday, March 20, 2026 at 6:50 p.m. ET.
- The Tar Heels are coming off losses to Duke and Clemson in the ACC Tournament.
The players
Hubert Davis
The head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball team.
VCU
The Virginia Commonwealth University Rams, UNC's opponent in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
What they’re saying
“The mindset is there. It's been good to get back to practice and just work on consistency. I've felt like the last couple games, it was just a number of different areas.”
— Hubert Davis, Head Coach
“Anytime you get an opportunity to compete and be out there on the floor, it's real. But we had a really good, competitive practice yesterday. A little chippy, which I'm fine with, and I'd like to bring that chippiness to Greenville.”
— Hubert Davis, Head Coach
What’s next
The winner of the UNC-VCU matchup will advance to face the winner of the UCLA-Gonzaga game in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
The takeaway
After a disappointing end to the regular season, UNC is focused on regaining its early-season form and consistency as it begins its NCAA Tournament run. Playing close to home in Greenville should provide a boost, but the Tar Heels will need to shore up their defense, rebounding, and ball control to make a deep tournament push.
