Tar Heels' road to Houston paved by Johnson and Paige decisions to stay

Posted Mar 30, 2016
The turning point of this Final Four run for UNC dates back to the end of last season. Only a few days after the 2014-15 Tar Heels completed a so-so (by Carolina standards) 26-12 record with a 79-72 loss to Wisconsin in the West Regional semifinals, then juniors Brice Johnson and Marcus Paige opted to return to school over pursuing professional careers. (WRAL Sports Fan)

Related: Basketball, Basketball Recruiting

Four games in, Cole Anthony is sold on the NBL
He may have only been around Australia's NBL for a few months and featured in four games, but Cole Anthony can already see the trajectory...
Wed Oct 7, 2026

Video: Locked On Tar Heels - Cameron Fens' Eligibility Uncertainty
UNC Basketball faces major frontcourt uncertainty as South Dakota transfer Cameron Fens’ eligibility remains unresolved. Could this 7-foot, 255-pound big man be the key to...
Wed Oct 7, 2026

Cameron Fens won’t play, but UNC’s exhibition vs. USC will show Michael Malone 'where we’re at'
Two days after his appearance Wednesday at ACC Tipoff, Coach Michael Malone’s Tar Heels will play an exhibition game against Southern Cal at 7 p.m...
Wed Oct 7, 2026

Video: Michael Malone, Jarin Stevenson, Neo Avdalas ACC Tipoff Press Conference
North Carolina head men's basketball coach Michael Malone, guard Neoklis Avdalas, and forward Jarin Stevenson speak with the media on Tuesday morning at the annual...
Wed Oct 7, 2026