Inside Carolina: A UNC athletics podcast

With Carolina Basketball news flowing out of Chapel Hill in waves on Monday, April 13th, Inside Carolina's Sherrell McMillan and Spencer Haskell join Tommy Ashley for special live show to recount the day and to discuss the meaningful information and how new head coach Michael Malone continues to build his coaching staff and the roster for the 2026-27 Tar Heels.

McMillan and Haskell highlight the importance of recent transfer commit Neoklis Advalas, the return of Jarin Stevenson and potential new pieces and how those decisions will shape Carolina next season. They also break down what can be...

Former Virginia Tech standout Neoklis Avdalas announced on Monday his commitment to the Tar Heels and becomes the first portal pickup for new North Carolina head coach Michael Malone. The 6-9 Avdalas spent one season with the Hokies after playing professionally in Greece and averaged 12.1 points and 4.6 assists in that season in Blacksburg. 

Inside Carolina's Sherrell McMillan joins Joey Powell for quick reaction to the commitment and what North Carolina is getting with the addition of Avdalas. 

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

Founded in 1994, Ins...

The Diamond Heels ventured south for a series in Clemson this past weekend in hopes from breaking a dubious streak in Doug Kingsmore Stadium. Carolina had lost six straight and eight of the past nine games down there and after Friday's poor showing, that streak extended once again.

But freshman Caden Glauber on the mound and freshman Tyler Howe at the plate authored a thrilling 14 inning win on Saturday to set up a 12-5 series clinching win on Sunday against a Clemson team desperate to get their season back on track.

Inside Carolina's Tommy Ashley...

Inside Carolina senior reporter Greg Barnes joins Tommy Ashley to discuss the early days of Michael Malone's coaching tenure at North Carolina, emphasizing the hectic nature of the transfer portal and recruiting.

While acquiring talent in the transfer portal is of the utmost importance, Barnes and Ashley go first to the finalizing of the coaching staff and the importance to nail down the best fits and coaches for those key roles that will go beyond next season. As Barnes points out, Sean May and Pat Sullivan are key for continuity around the program and the supporters of...

Since the last episode of the Coast to Coast, North Carolina's season-ending crashout against VCU led to the departure of Hubert Davis, the hiring of Michael Malone, and a massive staff and roster overhaul. The NCAA Transfer Portal has already seen many Tar Heels enter their names, and the new staff and GM Jim Tanner are searching for impact players for next season.

Sherrell McMillan and Sean Moran join Joey Powell to make sense of what has been an absolutely whirlwind of an offseason thus far.

The Coast to Coast is delivered by Salvio's Pizzeria...

Inside Carolina senior reporter Greg Barnes and Tommy Ashley discuss the Carolina influence in the hiring of Michael Malone as the new head coach of North Carolina basketball. Barnes touts the importance of family ties and understanding the Carolina basketball tradition. Malone's connections, including coaching former players and having a daughter on the volleyball team, were crucial.

Malone's impressive coaching resume, including an NBA championship will shape the on the court narrative and the expectations will be interesting to follow going forward both for next season and down the road. Roster and staff building will be key...

New North Carolina head coaching Michael Malone was introduced in Chapel Hill on Tuesday with familiar dignitaries in attendance in the Smith Center and the long time NBA coach checked all of the necessary boxes on day one of his tenure at UNC.

Inside Carolina senior reporter Greg Barnes and Tommy Ashley discuss the process that led to Malone's hiring and the 24 hours surrounding the news the culminated in an eventful day and evening in the Smith Center. Barnes highlights the work of the Carolina administration on getting the search concluded and the deal with Malone done...

SPRING FLASH SALE: New subscribers get 75% off an annual subscription to http://www.insidecarolina.com. The best reporters delivering the trusted scoop, plus the leading message board community. Join now: https://www.on3.com/teams/north-carolina-tar-heels/join/

Inside Carolina senior reporter Greg Barnes and IC basketball analyst Rob Harrington join Tommy Ashley to discuss the news that North Carolina will hire former NBA coach Michael Malone as the next head coach of the Tar Heels. Malone won an NBA Title with the Denver Nuggets in 2023.

Barnes and Harrington discuss Malone's fit wi...

With the news that North Carolina will hire former NBA coach Michael Malone, Inside Carolina's Tommy Ashley is joined by former Tar Heels - and current Denver resident - Dewey Burke for immediate reaction discussion of the decision, the process and what Malone will bring to the table for Carolina Basketball in the coming days, weeks and months.

Burke highlights Malone's NBA experience and cites his championship from the 2023 with the Denver Nuggets and his experience coaching the some for the best players in the world.

Founded in 1994, Inside Carolina is universally viewed a...

North Carolina Baseball continued its winning ways the past week, closing out an in-state rival in extras before bouncing back against upstart Boston College, winning Saturday's rubber match in comeback fashion, 8-7. Carolina's 27-5-1 record has the Heels ranked in the top six nationally and third in the ACC (11-4 in league play).

Head coach Scott Forbes joins Tommy Ashley for their weekly conversation about what it took to beat the Eagles, the grind these middle of the season series take on a team and how pitching continues to power the Diamond Heels. Forbes discusses dealing...

College basketball's season ends on Monday night with Michigan and UConn battling for the title in Indianapolis. The transfer portal opens on Tuesday and the chaos of the new era offseason begins. North Carolina sits in the middle of the chaos with a coaching search that continues into yet another week. 

Inside Carolina's Greg Barnes joins Tommy Ashley to discuss the latest and how the process has evolved through the weekend with the news that Tommy Lloyd and Dusty May are no longer options and Billy Donovan's situation is up in the air with the Chicago Bulls.  Ba...

The Inside Carolina panel of Rob Harrington, Sean Moran and host Joey Powell discuss North Carolina coaching candidate Mark Byington as a potential UNC men's basketball coach. Byington has a strong track record at James Madison and Vanderbilt, and is known for building programs and maximizing rosters.

Moran highlights Byington's high-tempo offense, strong defense, and player development, noting his success at Vanderbilt. Harrington emphasizes Byington's adaptability and potential for quick program improvement, despite limited experience with elite recruiting.

The show centers on Byington's ability to stabilize the team and potentially raise th...

As North Carolina's coaching search continues to evolve, Inside Carolina's Rob Harrington and Sean Moran join host Joey Powell to discuss Ben McCollum's potential as North Carolina's next coach. McCollum's success at Division 2 Northwest Missouri State propelled him to Drake and then Iowa and the IC crew highlights those successes as well as potential concerns as the level of play would ramp up at UNC.

Moran praises McCollum's coaching skills but notes the need for adaptability and effective recruiting while Harrington emphasizes the importance of McCollum's system-driven approach and early success to build credibility.

As the Final Four kicks off this weekend, North Carolina's coaching continues in wait and see mode. Top Tar Heel targets Tommy Lloyd and Dusty May, square off Saturday night in a game with added significance for the Carolina faithful as both coaches are viewed as potential home run hires for the seat left vacant by Hubert Davis.

Inside Carolina senior reporter Greg Barnes joins Tommy Ashley to discuss the waiting game and the importance of the wait for all involved in the coaching search process.  Barnes and Ashley share their Final Four picks to wr...

Inside Carolina senior reporter Greg Barnes joins Tommy Ashley to discuss the coaching carousel news of the past few days. Barnes and Ashley talking North Carolina State, highlighting Justin Gainey as a strong candidate due to his familiarity with the program and fan base.

The conversation touches on Bill Self's decision to stay at Kansas, which benefits North Carolina in its search as it puts the Tar Heels front and center across the country. Barnes describes the chaos surrounding the sport with hirings and changes across especially with the transfer portal looming. The discussion emphasizes t...

New subscribers get 75% off an annual subscription to http://www.insidecarolina.com. The best reporters delivering the trusted scoop, plus the leading message board community. Join now: https://www.on3.com/teams/north-carolina-tar-heels/join/

North Carolina's administration from current athletic director Bubba Cunningham, to future AD Steve Newmark to Chancellor Lee Roberts has mentioned the need to hire a championship level coach at UNC. But winning it all and finding that coach with those banners in their office is not always easy. And it is even harder to win said banners as a head coach.

...

North Carolina head baseball coach Scott Forbes and Carolina success on the baseball diamond go hand in hand these days. The UNC administration awarded that success with a contract extension and support going forward as the Heels power through the ACC slate. 

Forbes joined Inside Carolina's Tommy Ashley and Grace Nugent to talk pressure to win, mound visits, 'soft tossing lefties' and the necessary approach to the game with a red hot Boston College squad coming to Boshamer on Easter Weeekend. 
 

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

As North Carolina fans await news - any news - on the search for a new head coach, Inside Carolina's senior reporter Greg Barnes joins Tommy Ashley to discuss the challenges for Tar Heel fans, followers and the reporter tasked to cover the news in this massive social media era. The longer the wait, the more those rumors and unsubstantiated reports flow across the Internet. 

With those challenges, Barnes highlights key aspects of covering major events, sourcing and making sure the coverage is timely, but most importantly, right and accurate. Barnes highlights his coverage of UNC's 2010 NCAA p...

As North Carolina's coaching search extends into its second week, Inside Carolina senior reporter Greg Barnes and Tommy Ashley discuss that process and how the events of the past six days have shaped the timeline for the Smith Center renovate/relocate debate and decision. Over the weekend, UNC announced that process had been tabled in order to give the new head coach a chance to settle in at Carolina without that big decision looming while tackling the job of bring the basketball program back to prominence.  

Barnes and Ashley talk patience, not only in that building process, b...

New subscribers get 75% off an annual subscription to http://www.insidecarolina.com. The best reporters delivering the trusted scoop, plus the leading message board community. Join now: https://www.on3.com/teams/north-carolina-tar-heels/join/

North Carolina's coaching search extends beyond the college ranks as current Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan is among the candidates for the Tar Heel coaching vacancy after the firing of Hubert Davis. Donovan's rise to the professional ranks began with elite success on the collegiate level. His Florida Gators won back to back national titles in 2006 and 2007. Before that, Donovan played and...

Since the firing of Hubert Davis, the 'Carolina Family' has been a topic of conversation across the fanbase, the alumni base and in the national media. For the first time in 60 years, North Carolina will reach outside that family to hire its next basketball coach. 

Inside Carolina's Tommy Ashley is joined by former Tar Heel Dewey Burke to get an inside look at how everything went down that resulted in Davis's dismissal, the aftermath and the re-energized feeling permeating through everyone associated with and around the program. 

Burke and Ashley also get into the Dean Sm...

New subscribers get 75% off an annual subscription to http://www.insidecarolina.com. The best reporters delivering the trusted scoop, plus the leading message board community. Join now: https://www.on3.com/teams/north-carolina-tar-heels/join/

As his Michigan team has climbed the ladder of success this season, Dusty May has placed his name in the category of elite coaches in college basketball. The Wolverines came into the NCAA Tournament as the #1 seed in the Midwest after a regular season that saw them return to the top of the polls and maintain a level of excellence in the Big...

As the college basketball landscape has changed significantly over the past decade, the notion of 'Carolina Family' has not for most associated with the North Carolina basketball program. So what is the Carolina Family and what defines that term and how has the transfer portal affected the idea of who is 'family' and who is not?

With UNC's coaching search focusing exclusively on coaches with non-Carolina backgrounds, Inside Carolina's senior reporter Greg Barnes joins Tommy Ashley for a conversation about recent comments by Tar Heel legend Kenny Smith and how this dynamic shift in approach will shape...

New subscribers get 75% off an annual subscription to http://www.insidecarolina.com. The best reporters delivering the trusted scoop, plus the leading message board community. Join now: https://www.on3.com/teams/north-carolina-tar-heels/join/ 

Leading Arizona into the NCAA Tournament as the No. 2 overall seed, head coach Tommy Lloyd has risen in the ranks of the college basketball community with the Wildcats and is squarely in focus for North Carolina as a top candidate to take over the Tar Heel program. 

Inside Carolina's Rob Harrington and Sean Moran join Joey Powell for a closer look at...

Roughly 36 hours after the dismissal of Hubert Davis, North Carolina is in search of the next head coach to lead the Tar Heel program into the future. While timing is of the essence given the nature of the transfer portal era, making this big hire will shape the next 10-20 years and beyond, so finding and securing the right fit on a multitude of levels is paramount in Chapel Hill. 

Inside Carolina's senior reporter Greg Barnes joins Tommy Ashley for a discussion of the process of hiring the next coach at UNC, the timing of the process, h...

Year two in the Bill Belichick era kicked off on Tuesday with the first spring practice of 2026 in Chapel Hill. Inside Carolina's football analyst Jason Staples joins Tommy Ashley to share his takeaways from the brief portion of practice the media was allowed to view. 

Staples discusses the defensive and offensive line and his observations of the North Carolina quarterbacks and new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino. 

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 autho...

North Carolina announced on Tuesday evening that Hubert Davis has been relieved of his duties as head coach of the UNC Basketball program. Davis coached the Tar Heels for five seasons, making the national championship in his first season but struggling with consistency throughout his time on the UNC bench. This season, Carolina ended the season with three straight loss for the first time in 56 years, just a season removed from losing in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Inside Carolina's crew of Sherrell McMillan, Greg Barnes and Rob Harrington join Tommy Ashley for a live...

North Carolina head coach Scott Forbes joins Inside Carolina's Tommy Ashley and Grace Nugent to discuss his team's progress on the mound as they face South Carolina on Tuesday night and a strong Notre Dame team in South Bend this weekend. 

After winning the Louisville series in dramatic fashion on Sunday afternoon, Carolina is 20-4-1 overall and 6-3 in the ACC. The Heels trail 5-1 Florida State and are tied with Georgia Tech, Virginia, Notre Dame and Boston College. In a time of unbalanced schedules, Carolina's conference slate is packed with good teams including the Irish t...

North Carolina's process of determining head coach Hubert Davis's fate continues on Tuesday. As highlighted in yesterday's IC Daily, there are many facets to the process and UNC officials are working through every detail to manage the best path forward for the basketball program. 

Inside Carolina's senior reporter Greg Barnes joins Tommy Ashley for a discussion on the situation and how the delay in the process has led to frustration from the fanbase and also an increased amount of opinions being shared on both sides of the Hubert Davis decision debate. 

Barnes highlights why this de...

As the college basketball world awaits definitive news on the future North Carolina head coach Hubert Davis, Inside Carolina senior reporter Greg Barnes joins Tommy Ashley to discuss all aspects of the process and how those details have contributed to the wait times for any annoucement on a decision. 

Barnes and Ashley get into the past Carolina coaching changes and contrast those with how this process is different and why the decision and timing of said decisions are less certain. Barnes highlights the rapid decline of the Tar Heel basketball season once Caleb Wilson was ruled out f...

UNC's season came crashing down in historic fashion on Thursday night. Since then, there's been an overwhelming amount of speculation about Hubert Davis' future in Chapel Hill. With how the season ended and how the past five years have transpired,  the UNC fanbase has been fractured and frustrated. The common theme is the desire for North Carolina to return to elite status and do so as quickly as possible with the ever changing world of college athletics.

Sean Moran and Sherrell McMillan join Joey Powell to give a post mortem on the season and reassess wh...

North Carolina's basketball program faced the worst case scenario on Thursday night in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Tar Heels continued their trend of poor sloppy play down the stretch of a game and this time, it was the VCU Rams there to take advantage of the miscues and end UNC's season in Greenville. 

Inside Carolina's senior reporter Greg Barnes joins Tommy Ashley to discuss the day after aftermath of Carolina's collapse and what's next for Carolina Basketball. With the transfer portal opening on April 7th, any actions taken by incoming Athletic Director Steve N...

North Carolina's season came to a crashing end as the familiar script of the past five years played out in Greenville, SC in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Carolina led by 19 points in the second half only to collapse down the stretch and lose to VCU in overtime, 82-78. In the process, the Heels blown lead was the largest in UNC tournament history, the sixth largest all time in tournament history and the second largest second half lead blown in tournament history. 

Inside Carolina's Sherrell McMillan and senior reporter Greg Barnes join Tommy Ashley for T...

Fresh off a California sweep, North Carolina's sluggish start on Wednesday did not keep the Tar Heels from pushing their win streak to six, winning 8-2 over UNC Greensboro. Head coach Scott Forbes joined Inside Carolina's Tommy Ashley for their weekly conversation highlighting the Diamond Heel outfield defense and pitching as keys to his team's success of late. 

Ashley and Forbes dig into the pitching plan for a season from the weekend starters to key numbers in the bullpen and how Forbes and his staff mesh plans against the reality of the situations that arise during a s...

Inside Carolina's senior reporter Greg Barnes joins Tommy Ashley to break down North Carolina's first round NCAA Tournament game against Virginia Commonwealth. The Heels come into Thursday's game on a two game losing streak and as Barnes points out, losing three to end a season has not happened in Chapel Hill in over 50 years. 

With that, Barnes and Ashley discuss the pressure on Hubert Davis and his coaching stand and how a wins in March can alleviate that pressure or conversely, how losing can ramp up the conversations about the future direction of the UNC program. 

...

North Carolina's March Madness run opens on Thursday night in Greenville, South Carolina as the Heels face the VCU Rams in the 6/11 game top open the evening session in Bon Secours Wellness Arena. North Carolina Governor Josh Stein joins the show to discuss the tournament but also share his views on the Dean Smith Center arena debate, the state of college basketball and college athletics in the NIL and transfer portal era. 

Stein, a product of Chapel Hill High School, offers his unique perspective on the transition from Carmichael Auditorium to the Smith Center in 1986 and the f...

For the North Carolina basketball program,  reaching the Sweet Sixteen was the benchmark of success in the NCAA Tournament since Dean Smith broke through in the late 1960s. Smith's 1967-69 run of ACC regular season championships, ACC Tournament titles and Final Four berths set the standard for UNC and throughout his tenure on the Tar Heel sidelines, Smith delivered. Roy Williams did virtually the same until he retired in 2021. Hubert Davis's teams have reached that threshold in two of his four years in Chapel Hill with another tournament run beginning on Thursday against VCU.

So what is t...

With eight teams selected for the NCAA Tournament, the ACC stands in much better position nationally and looks to redeem it's collective image in the 2026 big dance. While eight teams in is progress, only two of those - Duke and Virginia - are higher than a six seed with North Carolina and Louisville earning those slots. 

Inside Carolina senior reporter Greg Barnes joins Tommy Ashley to discuss the Tar Heels and the rest of the league as March Madness is finally here. Barnes and Ashley look briefly at Carolina's matchup with VCU and potentially Illinois before checking i...

North Carolina fizzled out early in the ACC Quarterfinals and returned to Chapel Hill to await their postseason fate. Now they're officially in the "Lose-or-Go-Home" part of the season as the NCAA Tournament awaits. The usual Coast to Coast crew of Sherrell McMillan, Sean Moran and Joey Powell bring on Inside Carolina analyst Rob Harrington and senior reporter Greg Barnes to dig into UNC's real postseason chances and what the Tournament may look like as a whole.

The crew focuses on the matchup with VCU. Harrington highlights UNC's six seed as a fair placement despite Caleb Wilson's...

Inside Carolina senior reporter Greg Barnes and Tommy Ashley discuss the aftermath of North Carolina's quick exit in the 2026 ACC Tournament with a game performance all too familiar in the Hubert Davis era at UNC. Barnes and Ashley go into the clear disconnect that has permeated this roster at times - and did again on Thursday night - and look ahead to how this game and end of the season will affect the NCAA Tournament seeding. 

Finally, the IC duo look at the future and the importance of next weekend for not only the program but especially f...