Inside Carolina: A UNC athletics podcast

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With the commitment of big man Cameron Fens, North Carolina's basketball roster finally appears set for the 2026-27 season - Michael Malone's first year in Chapel Hill as head many of the Tar Heels.

Continuing with his Inside Carolina summer series, Inside Carolina basketball analyst Rob Harrington joins host Tommy Ashley for an overview of the full UNC roster, from Fens to Brown, Stevenson to Samodurov, Brizzi to Denis and every player that fills out the squad.

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Cameron Fens, a 7-foot, 255-pound center from South Dakota, recently  granted an extra year of eligibility, has committed to Michael Malone and the North Carolina Tar Heels.

The quick recruitment process was facilitated by Chuck Martin's pre-existing relationship with Fens' agent. Fens' physical presence and post play skills, provides size, strength and versatility to the Heels interior and solidifies the roster heading into the school year.

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Inside Carolina football analyst Jason Staples joins Tommy Ashley to discuss the second day of media availability for North Carolina football practice. Staples and Ashley highlight the quarterback room's potential, with Billy Edwards, Jr. appearing to be currently atop the depth chart, though accuracy issues are a concern for the room so far in camp.

On the defensive side of the ball, Staples notes the early starters with Tre Miller and Peyton Waters getting first team reps as field corner and boundary safety, respectively.  The emphasis and the importance of speed and athleticism, particularly in the secondary, i...

With UNC's 2026 season just three weeks away, Inside Carolina's football recruiting expert Don Callahan joins Tommy Ashley for a look the Tar Heels 2027 recruiting class that is nearly completion in Bill Belichick's second year in Chapel Hill.

Callahan and Ashley highlight the defensive side of the ball this week with a breakdown of the defensive line, linebacker and secondary commitments as well as discuss what are the remaining numbers for this class - especially after the 2026 class was double the normal class size. Yea 

Finally, the IC duo offers their top five home games this s...

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As Steve Newmark assumed the reigns of Athletic Director for the University of North Carolina, the landscape of college athletics continued to shift and alter appearances virtually daily in the ramp up to another academic and athletic year in Chapel Hill. Newmark’s background outside of collegiate sports is well documented but his experience in other realms have him poised and in a good position to navigate this new era for UNC.

Inside Carolina’s senior reporter Greg Barnes joins Tommy Ashl...

And just when you think you've got the answers about college athlete eligibility and the NCAA, a judge changes the questions. Last Friday, a Colorado judge granted an injunction that gave more players from the 2022 class another year to play college sports, thus altering roster projections across the country.

With coach Michael Malone holding an open scholarship at UNC, Sherrell McMillan and Sean Moran join Joey Powell to sort out how the ruling might affect that last roster spot.

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North Carolina opened training camp on July 30th as the Tar Heels prepare for year two in the Bill Belichick era and a trip to Ireland for a rematch against TCU in late August. Belichick and new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino highlighted the work the players and coaching staff have accomplished since the spring including the offensive progression across the board.

Inside Carolina's crew was on hand for the day's events and senior reporter Greg Barnes and beat writer Spencer Haskell join Tommy Ashley to discuss their takeaways on the press conferences and the opportunity to see...

North Carolina played in the final game of the 2026 college baseball season and since that loss in the national championship game, time for reflections, rest and recharging has been off the radar for the North Carolina coaching staff.  

Head coach Scott Forbes joins Inside Carolina's Tommy Ashley and Grace Nugent for a wide ranging look back at the 2026 season and the chaotic days and weeks since the season ended on the dirt in Omaha.  Forbes discusses the process and the execution of the recruiting plan to restock the Tar Heel roster, the joy watching players chase their pr...

Inside Carolina basketball analyst Rob Harrington joins Tommy Ashley to discuss the current state of the Carolina basketball program, focusing on Michael Malone's hiring and its impact within the Carolina Family and beyond. Harrington highlights Malone's creative staffing approach, blending new and old voices, and his use of both aspects of his coaching staff in  recruiting both here and abroad.

Harrington also points to Malone's emphasis on alumni outreach and the inclusion of the branches of the family tree as positive points for the program's future. Finally, the IC duo touches on the need for instate talent o...

Inside Carolina senior reporter Greg Barnes, football analyst Jason Staples and recruiting expert Don Callahan join host Tommy Ashley to discuss the latest news surrounding UNC GM Michael Lombardi and the opening of football fall camp for Bill Belichick's second season in Chapel Hill.

Barnes discusses the process of the Lombardi situation as well as other reports surrounding North Carolina football while Staples and Callahan join Ashley for a preview of football camp that opens later this week.  Ashley and Staples discuss the potential of negative distractions for the team from the Lombardi news while the trio h...

Now in its 32nd year, Phil Steele’s College Football Preview is widely considered ‘the Bible of College Football’. Steele joins Inside Carolina’s Tommy Ashley and Spencer Haskell to highlight the process of covering every FBS school with extensive analysis in the transfer portal era as well as his method of scouting and ranking throughout nation.

Steele shares his thoughts on the 2026 Tar Heels, the schedule and his predictions for year two of the Bill Belichick era in Chapel Hill.

0:00 - Show begins
0:59 - Previews in the portal era
3:01 - 32 years in the busi...

With a new staff in place, UNC basketball fans might think the summer would be a fairly quiet time around the Smith Center. While there haven’t been any traditional practices yet, the next iteration of the program continues to take shape, as Sherrell McMillan, Sean Moran and Joey Powell discuss on this week’s show.

There’s a lot to discuss. Michael Malone’s staff has been circling the globe recruiting while the 2026-27 players have been matriculating to Chapel Hill this summer. The No. 1-ranked player in the country, CJ Rosser, visited UNC this past week. Ma...

North Carolina second baseman Gavin Gallaher sat down with Inside Carolina's Spencer Haskell and Tommy Ashley to discuss his reasoning for returning to Chapel Hill for his senior season at UNC and much more. Gallaher discusses his approach to being a captain for the Diamond Heels, his hectic summer so far and the areas of improvement he needs to make heading into 2027. 

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Founded in 1994, Inside Carolina is universally viewed as the authority on Tar Heel sports and recruiting. With relentless, unparalleled ye...

College quarterbacks are the most watched - and most important - players on the football field and in Chapel Hill, in 2026, all eyes will be on the offensive backfield in Bobby Petrino's first season as North Carolina offensive coordinator.

Inside Carolina football analyst Jason Staples joins Tommy Ashley to break down the important room and offer his take on the superlatives of the group. Billy Ediwards, Jr., Miles O'Neill and Au'Tori Newkirk will compete for playing time when camp opens on July 30th.

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Tommy Ashley, Monty Taylor, and Spencer Haskell discuss the North Carolina baseball team's summer activities and prospects for the 2027 season. They highlight the impact of Gavin Gallaher's return and incoming shortstop Jamie Laskofski. They also discuss the importance of culture and leadership within the team, emphasizing the role of players like Gallaher. The conversation covers the depth and talent in the infield, outfield, and the deep pitching staff.  They also touch on the competitive nature of the catcher position and the potential for new recruits to contribute significantly.

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Inside Carolina basketball analyst Rob Harrington joins Tommy Ashley for another episode of Rob's Summer Series - this week the discussion turns to a second area of potential concern for the Tar Heels - rebounding.

Carolina's two best rebounders - Caleb Wilson, Henri Veesaar - headed for the NBA this summer leaving behind Jarin Stevenson and a talented but unproven group in Michael Malone's first season in Chapel Hill.  Harrington and Ashley discuss Stevenson's potential impact and improvement and his teammates across the lineup that will need to collectively step up this season for the program to g...

The ACC Kickoff signifies the official start of the 2026 conference football season as Bill Belichick and members of his second team in Chapel Hill took to the stage on Friday afternoon in Charlotte.

Inside Carolina's senior reporter Greg Barnes joins Tommy Ashley for a quick discussion of the day's happenings and how the Tar Heels have approached this offseason. This year saw the fanfare of the 2025 event muted as Belichick's arrival in year two appeared more comfortable for the coach and those in attendance.

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Inside Carolina football analyst Jason Staples joins host Tommy Ashley for a review of his UNC player scouting reports - this episode featuring the wide receivers and the superlatives of the position group.

Staples discusses the Alpha, the Breakout, Mr. Consistency and the Time to Prove It players that will man the wide receiver positions in new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino's offense in Bill Belichick's second season at North Carolina.

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Inside Carolina's football recruiting expert Don Callahan joins host Tommy Ashley to highlight North Carolina's 2027 commitment list on the offensive side of the ball.  Callahan breaks down each current commit with details on the recruitment and what each player will bring to the table for Bill Belichick's team in the future.

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Inside Carolina basketball analyst Rob Harrington joins host Tommy Ashley for a comprehensive look at North Carolina's team shooting across Michael Malone's first roster in Chapel Hill.  Harrington highlights the key players - Terrance Brown, Neo Avdalas, Matt Able and Jarin Stevenson among them - as well as others that can contribute behind the three point line this season. 

What are the keys to success? What percentage signifies probable success on the court for UNC and how the importance of solid outside shooting is to today's game as well as how Malone's potential style of play will tr...

Just as the fireworks from July 4th finish up, the UNC Basketball staff seeks to ignite their 2027 and 2028 recruiting classes as they hit the trail for the summer evaluation periods. Sean Moran joins live from Vegas where the AAU world is centered currently, and Sherrell McMillan previews what he'll be watching next week at Adidas's event and Peach Jam. 

Finally, the guys analyze why Angelo Brizzi's value to the program may be higher than his stats suggest. 

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North Carolina's tight end room was sorely misused last season, but under new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino, this year's group should improve and could potentially - according to Inside Carolina's football analyst Jason Staples - be the best unit on the offensive side of the ball this season.

Staples joins host Tommy Ashley for his list of superlatives among a talented group of Jelanie Thurman, Jordan Washington, Shamar Easter and Jaxxon Warren.

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The position of Athletic Director has played a key role in the University of North Carolina's pursuit of athletic excellence across 28 sports. Bubba Cunningham's tenure at Carolina's helm spanned a years long NCAA investigation where his leadership and experience resulted in a successful challenge to the NCAA's purview in the area of academics and a continued run of success on the field for many of Tar Heel teams.

Inside Carolina senior reporter Greg Barnes joins Tommy Ashley for a look into Cunningham's legacy and his impact in Chapel Hill over the course of the past 15 years.

North Carolina's running back room has Tar Heels veterans - Benjamin Hall is in his second year after transferring in from Michigan - and a potential big timer in Kaleb Jackson from LSU, but will need to step up as a group in 2026 for UNC's offense to produce as expected under new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino.

Bill Belichick's hiring of Petrino has many followers and supporters excited about the potential with the running backs and Inside Carolina's football analyst Jason Staples breaks down the superlatives of the room among Hall, Jackson, Jaylen McGill, Demon June and Charleston...

Father's Day is often used as an acceptable square on the calendar for the Coast to Coast guys to evaluate offseason movement and roster updates. Nearly three months into the entirely new MIchael Malone regime, there's plenty to assess long before the North Carolina Tar Heels play a game.

Sean Moran and Sherrell McMillan join Joey Powell to recap roster additions, recruiting updates, and player Chapel Hill arrivals, plus much more on UNC basketball.

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Inside Carolina's Tommy Ashley, Grace Nugent and Tommy Ashley recap North Carolina's 2026 baseball season - what went right, what went wrong and what's ahead for Scott Forbes and his coaching staff as the work is already in full swing for next season.

The IC trio highlights the season from start to finish, the big moments, the low moments, the players and coaching decisions important to the run to the College World Series finals. Nugent, Ashley and Haskell share their MVPs, their unsung players and offer their lasting takes on Omaha and the two week journey to the...

Inside Carolina expert football analyst Jason Staples joins Tommy Ashley to discuss his extensive scouting report of the North Carolina offensive line room, the status of the room as a whole and the superlatives in perhaps the most important position group on the team when determining success in 2026.

Staples highlights the alpha, the most consistent, the breakout and names to watch as we head toward Bill Belichick's second season in Chapel Hill.

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North Carolina faces Oklahoma in a three game series for the national championship on Charles Schwab Field in Omaha. Inside Carolina's Tommy Ashley, Grace Nugent and Spencer Haskell breakdown the historical significance for Carolina, the matchup with the Sooners and the journey to this point for the Tar Heels and the Inside Carolina crew.

PLUS

North Carolina's final practice ahead of this weekend's national championship series with Oklahoma was held on Friday in Charles Schwab Field. Inside Carolina spoke to Jackson Rose, Caden Glauber, Walker McDuffie, Erik Paulsen and former head coach Mike Fox on...

Now that the Transfer Portal movement has subsided, Michael Malone and his staff have begun the process of sorting out their Recruiting Board for High School prospects. With the completion of the NBPA 100 Camp this past weekend, there's plenty to discuss for the Coast to Coast guys. Sherrell McMillan and Sean Moran join Joey Powell to suss out where things stand for the 2027 Class of targets.

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As the dust settles around Coach Michael Malone's first roster at UNC, there are plenty of things to be excited about regarding the frontcourt additions. Combined with returning senior Jarin Stevenson, the skillset and versatility of this group, while raw, might be the most diverse in Chapel Hill in many years. 

Rob Harrington joins Joey Powell to sort out each member of the frontcourt and what they'll bring individually and collectively to the hardwood in the fall. 

Visit the No. 1 site for UNC sports coverage and community: http://www.InsideCarolina.com

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Inside Carolina's football analyst Jason Staples joins Tommy Ashley to cap off his extensive UNC defensive line scouting report, highlighting the superlatives in the room. The Alpha, Mr. Consistency, the Breakout and Players to Watch are discussed as is the potential for this important position going in 2026 for Bill Belichick and the North Carolina football program.

Visit the No. 1 site for UNC sports coverage and community: http://www.InsideCarolina.com

Founded in 1994, Inside Carolina is universally viewed as the authority on Tar Heel sports and recruiting. With relentless, unparalleled year-round coverage, and the largest online...

Inside Carolina's Grace Nugent and Tommy Ashley are joined by D1Baseball's Pat James for a dive into North Carolina's trip to Omaha and the College World Series. Carolina opens with Ole Miss on Friday evening and the trio discusses the Diamond Heel process and team make up and how the Heels matchup in The Greatest Show on Dirt.

James and Nugent highlight the spectacle that is the College World Series and the Omaha village that has embraced the college baseball world for decades.

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Scott Forbes and his North Carolina Diamond Heels are headed to Omaha for 13th time in school history and will face Ole Miss on Friday night at 7pm ET. Carolina advanced to the College World Series in dramatic fashion, beating USC on Owen Hull's walk off double Sunday afternoon in an electric Boshamer Stadium.

Coach Forbes joins Inside Carolina's Tommy Ashley to discuss the journey, the moments on the field and the commitment to success that it takes in today's era of college athletics.

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As North Carolina prepares for its Super Regional this weekend, associate head coach and pitching coach Bryant Gaines joins Grace Nugent and Tommy Ashley for a discussion of the Diamond Heels pitching staff.

The trio discusses important moments from the regular season and go in depth into the process of preparing pitchers during the week and pregrame and the challenge of calling pitches. Gaines highlights the trust he must have with his arm on the mound and how he gets to know and understand his players' mental state heading into a game.

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Inside Carolina's Grace Nugent and Tommy Ashley  are joined by Just Baseball's Monty Taylor to talk all things Chapel Hill Super Regional as Carolina host Southern California this weekend in Boshamer Stadium.

The trio discusses the Diamond Heel process roster construction and the success Scott Forbes and his coaching staff have had over the years of replenishing the talent pool in the program despite turning out professional prospects year after year. The group also discusses the chemistry factor of a college baseball roster and the culture aspect of success.

With the Trojans on the horizon, t...

Nearly two months ago, UNC made a move from Hubert Davis and hired Michael Malone as it's next men's basketball coach. Since then, Malone has been out of the public eye but quietly building his staff and roster.

With some key dates now passed, Sherrell McMillan and Sean Moran join Joey Powell to sort out where the roster sits: the new, the unexpected, the gaps, and what it all means.

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North Carolina retained two players - Isaiah Denis and Jaydon Young - in the backcourt and added Matt Able, Terrence Brown and Neo Avdalas in place of the departed former Tar Heels.

Inside Carolina basketball analyst Rob Harrington joins Tommy Ashley to discuss the additions and subtractions as the holdover on the roster in a detailed look at UNC's backcourt. Harrington and Ashley ask and answer one of the defining questions for Michael Malone's first roster as Carolina head coach - has the Heels upgraded the backcourt?

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As we head into the summer of 2026, North Carolina baseball continues their run to Omaha as they will host a a Super Regional in Boshamer Stadium in the coming days. Carolina Football under Bill Belichick is less than three months until the games begin in year two and UNC Basketball and Michael Malone continue to build out the final pieces of what will be the newest version of Tar Heel basketball.

Inside Carolina senior reporter Greg Barnes and Tommy Ashley cover the Carolina waterfront on all three sports, highlighting the culture and culture building aspect of program...

North Carolina's roster picked up a big addition as Greek forward Alexandros Samodurov committed to the Tar Heels. The 6-11 post is a former teammate of current Tar Heel Neoklis Avdalas and brings a versatile skill set to Carolina's roster and provide depth and additional international flare to head coach Michael Malone's first roster in Chapel Hill.

Inside Carolina's Sherrell McMillan and Sean Moran join Joey Powell to break down Samodurov's game and the impact he will have on Carolina Basketball next season.

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Inside Carolina's football analyst Jason Staples joins host Tommy Ashley for the dive into North Carolina's linebacker room and the IC duo highlights the superlatives in the room for Bill Belichick and the Tar Heel football program.

Staples highlights the Alpha - Peyton Seelmann, Mr. Consistency - Derek McDonald, the Breakout - Jonathan Agumadu and Timir Hickman-Collins as the player who's time to prove it is here.

This episode is the culmination of the linebacker scouting reports that Staples has done as a part of the complete roster scouting series at Inside Carolina.com.