You know how the old saying goes, "defense wins championships."
The UNC basketball program has shown that mindset through the early portion of the 2025-2026 season, as their calling card has been elite-level defensive efforts that help lead to transition opportunities on the other end of the floor.
Even without Seth Trimble, arguably the best on-ball defender in the country, for most of the non-conference schedule, the Tar Heels still found ways to be a high-level defensive unit.
The improved size and versatility added to this year's roster has paid dividends, helping the UNC basketball program accomplish something that hasn't been done since Michael Jordan was on campus as a student at North Carolina.