Inside Carolina: A UNC athletics podcast

The Inside Carolina Coast to Coast crew discusses Kevin Thomas and his commitment to Michael Malone and North Carolina basketball. Thomas, a 6-7 small forward from Sagemont Prep in Florida is ranked 94th in the class of 2026 and was previously committed to LSU.

Sherrell McMillan and Sean Moran break down Thomas's game and the athleticism he will bring to the Tar Heels as well as the potential for Thomas to become a contributor this season and beyond.

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

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Former Tar Heel national champion Deon Thompson is coming home to North Carolina. Thompson, a member of the 2009 championship team, is set to become a graduate assistant for Michael Malone and the UNC coaching staff and will bring experience from a long playing career overseas and another tie to the Carolina Family as the program transitions into the Malone era.

Inside Carolina senior reporter Greg Barnes joins Tommy Ashley to discuss what Thompson will bring to the basketball program and the value of his experience both as a Carolina player and as a professional will be for...

Inside Carolina basketball analyst Rob Harrington joins Tommy Ashley to discuss the returners for Carolina Basketball, Isaiah Denis, Jaydon Young, and Jarin Stevenson and the importance of having some semblance of a core year over year within a college program, especially in a coaching transition.  Denis, a versatile defender, is seen as a potential asset despite limited playing time last year. Young, with ACC experience at UNC at Virginia Tech, brings athleticism and shooting. Stevenson will be expected to start. Harrington and Ashley discuss the possibility of a senior year breakout for Stevenson - akin to Kennedy Meeks and B...

Inside Carolina senior reporter Greg Barnes joins Tommy Ashley to discuss a draft from the Presidential College Sports Reform Committee, aiming to stabilize the NCAA amidst changes from NIL, Rev Share and other seismic shifts in the college landscape over the past several years.

The proposal creates a two-year task force exempt from antitrust laws to set rules, including eligibility and enforcement policies. Key points include the Bird rule for retaining players at one school, support for Olympic sports, and media rights consolidation.

Barnes criticizes the NCAA's past restrictions on student-athletes and expresses cautious optimism...

Inside Carolina's Greg Barnes and Jason Staples join Tommy Ashley to talk all things North Carolina football as Bill Belichick's team heads into the summer program in preparation for the 2026 season.

The IC crew will look back at spring practice and answer viewer questions from the Tar Pit message board and the live chat, plus introduce the annual scouting report schedule from Staples.

Staples highlights his process of evaluation and scouting nearly 50 current Tar Heels including film study and reports from previous seasons included in writing the '26 versions. He also highlights how he views...

As North Carolina's 2026-27 roster continues to take shape, Inside Carolina's senior reporter Greg Barnes joins Tommy Ashley to discuss how Carolina's potential lineup remains a bit in flux due to the latest NBA draft talk around transfer signee Matt Able. How do draft projections affect fan angst given the deadlines and timelines that are built to benefit the professional leagues versus the college game?  

Barnes and Ashley also discuss how the NIL era can and will affect the narrative around how schools leverage their former player success in the draft and on the court in the N...

NCAA Tournament expansion remains a hot topic across the college basketball landscape as the bar for entry into March Madness has dropped significantly with the addition of more teams. While that debate rages on, North Carolina's regular season slate for '26-27 remains a work in progress as the current lineup of opponents has only one potential marquee matchup.

Inside Carolina's Greg Barnes joins Tommy Ashley to discuss how the tournament expansion could affect scheduling for the Tar Heels and what the goals in that regard, should be going forward for a UNC program looking to get...

A recent article by Phil Steele highlight North Carolina's 2026 football schedule as the toughest in the nation based on the opponents 2025 results. Inside Carolina senior reporter Greg Barnes joins Tommy Ashley to discuss Steele's findings and the fact that upcoming season undoubtedly ramps up the competition level compared to last season that produced a 4-8 record for the Tar Heels.

TCU (in Ireland), Clemson, Notre Dame, Louisville, Virginia, Duke and NC State will be featured but Ashley and Barnes agree that it will be tough to gauge the true difficulty of the schedule until rosters are finalized...

Inside Carolina senior reporter Greg Barnes joins Tommy Ashley to discuss the recent proposals by the American Football Coaches Association regarding the timeline for the college football season and the structure within the regular season and the playoffs.

Barnes and Ashley debate the feasibility of expanding the playoff to 16 or 32 teams, considering financial benefits and the impact on academics. The conversation also touches on the need for a more proactive approach to college sports reform, addressing issues like the transfer portal window and the bowl system. Both agree that while money is a significant factor, a comprehensive...

North Carolina head coach Scott Forbes spends a lot of time crediting his coaching staff for the Diamond Heel success on the baseball field. Whether it's in postgame press conferences or weekly interviews with Inside Carolina, Forbes is quick to heap praise and credit on the men that he has assembled to help lead his Tar Heels.

This week, assistant head coach and recruiting coordinator Scott Jackson joins Inside Carolina's Tommy Ashley for a look into the inner workings of the program from roster building, player development and recruiting to game day preparation and what goes into...

Inside Carolina senior reporter Greg Barnes joins Tommy Ashley to discuss the ACC's - and member institutions - financial gain with the expansion of the NCAA Tournament in addition to the league's success based initiatives that have helped slow the widening money gap with the big two conferences.

Barnes breaks down the success and viewership incentive models that have gone into effect for a league trying to keep pace with the SEC and Big Ten while keeping the league's elite programs content in the ACC.

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North Carolina's quarterback room passed the look test during spring practice and with the addition of offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino, there is hope - and expectation - that the most important position on the football field will be a positive for the Tar Heels in 2026.  Petrino's past success on this side of the ball is unquestioned and the portal and recruiting work done over the past 18 months will be on display with Billy Edwards, Jr., Miles O'Neill, Tori Newkirk and Travis Burgess making their claim for PT along with summer addition Taron Dickens from Western Carolina.

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With the financial investment into head coaches with professional experience in both football and basketball, Inside Carolina senior reporter Greg Barnes joins Tommy Ashley to discuss the evolving expectations for North Carolina's athletic programs in the new era of college athletics.

Barnes notes that while eight wins were once a reasonable expectation for football, those significant financial investments, including the hiring of Bill Belichick, now necessitate higher standards. Similarly, Barnes believes that with Michael Malone's high salary, Carolina Basketball's level should include top ten expectations every year with legitimate chances to win national championships regularly.  

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Inside Carolina senior reporter Greg Barnes joins Tommy Ashley to discuss the recent news that the NCAA Tournament will likely expand to include 76 teams going forward for what is considered an attempt to provide more access to the crown jewel of the NCAA - March Madness.  

Barnes and Ashley highlight the money aspect of the move, the dilution of the product and discuss the possible reasoning for this expansion beyond the obvious money grab from the NCAA in an effort to pay off the monies owed under the House Settlement that came down in 2025.

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North Carolina's second spring practice session under Bill Belichick wrapped last week and the Tar Heels appear to be a more cohesive group across the board - from the players to the coaching staff. Bill Belichick's hiring of Bobby Petrino has given life to the potential for improvement in year two even with the much tougher schedule on the horizon in the fall.

Inside Carolina's senior reporter Greg Barnes joins Tommy Ashley to compare notes on how spring practice looked in Chapel Hill and how those takes and information may shape the opinions heading into the 2026 season.<...

UNC has made a loud salvo in an attempt to fill the void in the post for next season as 7-footer Sayon Keita has pledged to Michael Malone's Tar Heels. Keita is a consensus future NBA player, but is incredibly young. That said, the talent is undeniable and will be available for the UNC staff to maximize next season in Chapel Hill. 

Sherrell McMillan and Sean Moran join Joey Powell to talk about the latest commitment to Carolina Basketball. 

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

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North Carolina head coach Scott Forbes has his Diamond Heels riding high after a series win at rival Duke, but a tough midweek schedule and the exam 'break' always presents different challenges for Forbes, his coaching staff and his team.

On their weekly conversation, Forbes joins Inside Carolina's Tommy Ashley  to discuss how his group handles this portion of the season, the tough matchups they see in the midweek and how the one-off Duke game on Sunday in Boshamer helps his team stay sharp through the end of the year exam period.

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Inside Carolina senior reporter Greg Barnes joins Tommy Ashley to discuss the pending NCAA rule changing allowing student athletes five years to play five seasons and how that move could be handled by the courts. As Barnes points out, the rule will not be retroactive, thus players like UNC's Seth Trimble have exhausted their eligibility on the college level.

How will the courts rule in the event of legal challenges? Why can the professional leagues put forth rules and guidelines that are set in stone while the NCAA's every move is questioned and picked apart in the...

The North Carolina coaching staff has been at work trying to fill roster needs since Michael Malone became head coach nearly three weeks ago. Henri Veesaar's decision to head to the NBA was not a total surprise and while it's a big blow to potential UNC success next season, the search for a replacement - likely in the aggregate - was well underway before last Friday's announcement.

Inside Carolina senior reporter Greg Barnes joins Tommy Ashley to discuss the big priority for Malone and staff and how the Heels could fill out the remaining parts of the 2026...

New UNC head coach Michael Malone received a few more additions to his first roster this past week, courtesy of the NCAA Transfer Portal. While there are still holes to fill and players to sign, fans can begin to see some trends in the types of traits Malone wants in his squad, as well as the potential style he may implement next season. 

Inside Carolina's Sherrell McMillan and Sean Moran join Joey Powell on this week's edition to break it all down and anticipate what's on the immediate horizon for North Carolina Tar Heel hoops.

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North Carolina center Henri Veesaar announced on Friday that he would forego his senior season in Chapel Hill and declare for the 2026 NBA Draft. Veesaar is projected as a late first to early second round pick and and will stay in the draft thus ending his college career.

Inside Carolina's Sherrell McMillan joins Joey Powell to discuss Veesaar's decision and what comes next for new UNC head coach Michael Malone and his coaching staff as they look to fill the glaring hole in the Tar Heel lineup at center.

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Tuesday's flurry of commitments for Carolina Basketball eased some of the angst and worry across the fanbase as the Tar Heels filled three important roster roles for the 2026-27 season. Terrance Brown, Jr., Matt Able and Maxim Logue join a solid group for the Tar Heels and provide more talented pieces for Michael Malone and staff to work with.

Inside Carolina senior reporter Greg Barnes joins Tommy Ashley to discuss the additions, what's still on the table and what's next for a program seeking to return to elite status in the college basketball landscape.  Barnes and Ashley a...

North Carolina head baseball coach Scott Forbes joins Inside Carolina's Grace Nugent and Tommy Ashley for their weekly conversation about all things Diamond Heel baseball. The trio discusses the Georgia Tech series win and how Forbes presses his team to move forward as the season gets no easier with strong midweek games and rivalry series ahead this week.

Forbes discusses his path to Carolina's head position and why he takes the approach he does in his coaching life and how he leans on his coaching staff for new and innovated looks at the line up, the rotations...

Maxim Logue, a 6-9 transfer from Florida Atlantic, is joining Michael Malone's rebuild of UNC basketball to provide post depth. Sean Moran joins Joey Powell to break down what the Tar Heels are getting in the French big man.

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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 community of always-engaged...

North Carolina continued to fill out the 2026-27 roster on Tuesday with former NC State wing Matt Able joining the Tar Heels. Inside Carolina's Coast to Coast crew of Joey Powell, Sean Moran and Sherrell McMillan break down what Able brings to the table for Michael Malone and how the 6-6 wing fits with what is currently on the roster for next season.

Able brings size and versatility to Chapel Hill after a strong season with the Wolfpack and his ability to defend and attack the rim should be highlighted in a Malone style of play.  Able j...

North Carolina head coach Michael Malone continues the construction of his 2026-27 roster for the Tar Heels, today adding former Fairleigh Dickinson and Utah guard Terrence Brown. Brown brings an elite athleticism to the Tar Heels after a season with the Utes where he started all 29 games last season, averaging a team-high 19.7 points per game on 44.7% from the field, 32.3% from three and 77% from the line.

Inside Carolina analyst Sean Moran joins Tommy Ashley for a look at the commitment, what Brown brings to the table skill wise and how he fits into Malone's plan. Moran also discusses...

As North Carolina waits for Henri Veesaar's decision about his future either in the NBA draft or in Chapel Hill, Inside Carolina senior reporter Greg Barnes joins Tommy Ashley discussing the wants and needs for head coach Michael Malone and his team in 2026-27.

Barnes and Ashley highlight the massive importance Veesaar's presence on the roster will be to potential success next season and also the other potential ways to approach the season should the center decide to move on to the next phase of his basketball career.  

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North Carolina basketball enters a new week with a roster build still in progress and a fresh opening on the coaching staff after Kim English's departure only days after arriving, leaves Michael Malone with work on multiple fronts needing to be done. The roster build continues as Carolina's biggest targets remain on the board and decisions loom as the transfer portal entry deadline is this week.

Inside Carolina senior reporter Greg Barnes joins Tommy Ashley for a 'snapshot in time' update on the slow progress being made and what's ahead for a program and coaching staff working...

UNC's new head man Michael Malone has just completed his first week in Chapel Hill. He's hired some staff, but also seen one assistant change his mind on joining the Tar Heels. With just days to go in the transfer portal, Carolina has nailed down a few roster spots for next year, but still has plenty of question marks and holes to fill. 

Sean Moran and Sherrell McMillan join Joey Powell to distill some takeaways from the first full week of the Malone era and to get a handle on what the next steps in the program r...

Inside Carolina's senior reporter Greg Barnes joins Tommy Ashley to discuss the new NCAA proposal 'Five for Five' where college athletes will have five years of eligibility in their prospective sports. Barnes and Ashley opine on the viability of the new plan given recent efforts by the NCAA have been upended by the courts many times with regards to any limits to a student athlete's ability to earn money while in college.

Barnes highlights how the landscape has changed quickly in the few months and years NIL and rev share have been a part of collegiate athletics...

Inside Carolina's senior reporter Greg Barnes joins Tommy Ashley to discuss the ongoing process of building back North Carolina basketball under new coach Michael Malone and the new era Malone and his coaching staff are ushering into Chapel Hill. With the portal work continuing and player movement at an all time high, Malone's process continues to have fans on the edges of their proverbial seats wanting and waiting for big news from a player acquisition standpoint and a talent perspective.

But what does Malone and staff need to succeed on the court? Barnes and Ashley highlight that...

Inside Carolina's Rob Harrington and Tommy Ashley dissect Michael Malone's first week as head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels. Rob offers his takes on the assistant coaching hires, portal pick ups and how Malone hit the ground running after he was announced as the man to lead Carolina Basketball into a new era just eight days ago.

Building a staff has been front and center for Malone and Harrington shares his views on the hiring of Chuck Martin and Kim English as well as the ideal fit for the last remaining assistant coach spot on...

Micheal Malone and staff continue to build out the 2026-27 Carolina Basketball roster but retaining forward Jarin Stevenson was a big piece not only talent wise but to have some semblance of continuity in Chapel Hill. Stevenson's play on the court will help define the success next year's team will have but his presence, and that of Pat Sullivan and Sean May, in the Smith Center should help ease the transition for everyone as a new era begins for this storied program.

Inside Carolina senior reporter Greg Barnes joins Tommy Ashley to discus Stevenson's place, the importance...

Inside Carolina senior reporter Greg Barnes joins Tommy Ashley for the latest on Michael Malone's process of building back North Carolina's basketball program. As the news out of the Smith Center offices continues to flow, Barnes highlights the important pieces from the week and how those bits of information highlight how Malone may envision his program going forward.

Barnes and Ashley hit on what's next and when the high flow of information may slow soon, but not yet as the portal remains open and UNC is only a third of the way through this roster construction.

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 

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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.

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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...