I’m already worn out by the discourse
Earlier this month, reports surfaced that UNC had invested $14 million into its basketball program—an aggressive move to stay competitive in the rapidly evolving world of college sports. That funding helped Hubert Davis land key transfers, an elite international prospect, and a five-star freshman. On paper, it’s a much stronger haul than last year’s offseason—and fans should feel more optimistic. But instead of focusing on the roster improvements, the conversation has spiraled into something ridiculous: people are now obsessing over whether UNC really has a $14 million roster.
Take, for example, commentary from 99.9 The Fan’s Tim Donnelly and Max Goren, or The Drive’s Josh Graham. Add in social media debates, and you’ll see how toxic this offseason narrative has become. When NIL first launched, most of the financial details were hidden. We didn’t know what players were earning—deals happened quietly, and speculation was the norm. But now that numbers are leaking—like Jeff Goodman’s claim that UNC’s payroll is the second-highest in college basketball—everyone suddenly has a hot take.
Do I think this is a $14 million roster? Honestly, I have no clue. But when you look at the pieces—an elite European pro, a projected NBA first-rounder in Caleb Wilson, an undervalued big in Henri Veesaar, and a high-upside returnee in Jarin Stevenson—it sounds like a solid, well-built team. Certainly better than last year’s group. Could they have used a true center? Probably. But does this look like a team Hubert Davis can win with? Absolutely. The bigger question is: what does a $14 million roster owe us in terms of results?
For many critics, the answer is clear: a championship contender. And while that expectation makes sense on the surface, it’s an oversimplification. Look at pro sports—how often do high-spending teams fall short? The Falcons gave Kirk Cousins a massive deal and still have questions. The Bulls maxed out Zach LaVine. And the Clippers and Nets have both fielded expensive rosters with nothing to show for it. Even Mike Trout’s monster deal didn’t save the Angels from irrelevance.
The bottom line? Transparency in team spending has removed all nuance from college sports conversation. With UNC specifically, this roster is being undervalued by people hyperfocused on the money. But throwing millions at a program doesn’t automatically fix everything. In reality, UNC has an ACC title-caliber squad that should comfortably make the NCAA Tournament. Beyond that? It’s anyone’s guess. After all, ESPN had Florida ranked No. 21 in its preseason poll last year, while Kansas, Alabama, and UConn topped most lists—and look how that turned out.
Personally, I’m just hoping this season brings more joy than last year. But I also know that publicizing roster budgets will only fuel an unbearable cycle of “money vs. results” arguments in the media. I’d love to see the actual payrolls for programs like Kansas, Alabama, Kentucky, and Duke—just to put this whole debate into perspective. Because in a single-elimination tournament like March Madness, one bad night can wipe out an entire season. Tying expectations to dollars is a losing game.
People will keep playing it, though. So maybe the best thing we can do is mute the noise—and enjoy what promises to be an exciting UNC team this fall.
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