North Carolina walked away with a 73–61 win over Navy, but anyone inside the Dean Smith Center could feel that the game revealed something deeper than the final score. Yes, the Tar Heels improved to another early-season victory, but what stood out even more was the undeniable scrappiness, discipline, and competitive fire Navy brought for 40 full minutes. For UNC, that contrast wasn’t just noticeable—it was concerning.
On the latest episode of the Tar Heels Insider Podcast, beat writer Grant Chachere broke down the win, pointing out that while the Tar Heels controlled most of the game, they failed to sustain intensity. North Carolina once held a commanding 24-point lead, only to see Navy storm back with a 15–0 run. That slip—and the choppy stretches that followed—sparked reflection not only from the coaching staff but from the players themselves.
A Team Meeting Signals Accountability
Following the game, several UNC players revealed they held an impromptu team meeting immediately after head coach Hubert Davis addressed them in the locker room. They talked openly about the run they surrendered and about the inconsistency that seems to pop up at the worst moments. It wasn’t anger—it was accountability.
When asked about the players taking that initiative, Davis didn’t shy away from his disappointment in the team’s finish, but he praised their willingness to own it.
> “I mean, that’s great that they’re communicating and talking amongst themselves,” Davis said. “You’re right—we had a 24-point lead. They went on a 15–0 run, and then down the stretch, 17–3. I was disappointed in how we finished the game.”
Davis noted that the Tar Heels lacked sustained energy during parts of the first half, though he felt the team found its rhythm later on.
> “I felt like the sustained energy in the first half wasn’t there, but I thought we picked it up in the second half… We were playing well, and just unfortunate that we didn’t finish the game better.”
That the players recognized the issue enough to call a meeting on their own is a promising step for a team trying to rediscover the consistency and competitive edge required to contend in March.
Navigating Slow Starts and Late Surges
One of the recurring themes of UNC’s season so far has been slow starts, especially in first halves. With a halftime score of 38–31 against Navy, the Tar Heels once again let an inferior opponent hang around longer than they should have.
Davis, however, pushed back slightly against the idea of “slow” starts, instead pointing to Navy’s tactical discipline and unique defensive schemes.
> “I don’t necessarily think [we were] slow in the first half,” he explained. “Navy is methodical in their approach—switching between man and zone, changing matchups, picking up full court, three-quarter court… For this new group, to be able to read and adapt through the changes, it took us until the second half to really get a rhythm.”
Once UNC settled in defensively, things improved.
> “We got stops, we got out in transition. Once we get stops and we’re able to get out in transition, that’s when we’re at our best.”
That formula—defense first, fast break second—has always been part of UNC’s identity. What remains the challenge for this year’s team is finding that gear earlier and sustaining it longer.
Lessons From Navy: Playing for Something Bigger
One of the most compelling storylines of this matchup is the deep respect UNC’s staff and players have for Navy’s greater mission. The Midshipmen aren’t just college athletes—they are future military officers who will serve four to five years after graduation. Their discipline, toughness, and sense of purpose shine through in every possession.
Davis spoke passionately about what it means to compete against players who carry that level of commitment.
> “I’ve been to the Naval Academy… I just saw the commitment they make every day,” he said. “My wife is an Army child, and so I understand the sacrifice that all of them make for us to be able to experience the life that we live. It’s an act of service—not just for themselves, but for something bigger than themselves.”
He emphasized that this mindset is something he wants to instill in his own team.
> “Playing here at North Carolina is an act of service. It’s not just about you—it’s about the ‘we.’ It’s about our team, our program, this university, this community. You’re at your best when you go outside of yourself and play for more than just yourself.”
Navy embodies that ethos. Their relentless effort, even when down big, reflected the discipline of a group that never takes a possession—or an opportunity—for granted. For UNC, that’s a lesson worth absorbing.
A Good Win, But a Needed Reminder
The Tar Heels walked off the court with a victory, but Navy gave them something arguably more valuable: perspective. UNC showed flashes of dominance, but the lapses were too long, the focus too inconsistent, and the urgency too fragile.
Still, the postgame players’ meeting suggests that UNC understands the problem—and cares enough to address it.
A win is a win. But if the Tar Heels want to become the team they believe they can be, Navy’s example of toughness, commitment, and unity may be exactly the spark they needed.
