Plenty of Talent, But Is That Enough? Hubert Davis Faces Defining Year at UNC

Plenty of Talent, But Is That Enough? Hubert Davis Faces Defining Year at UNC

 

Let’s be clear: North Carolina doesn’t have a talent problem.

From blue-chip freshmen to seasoned transfers, UNC’s 2025-26 roster is stacked  deep, tall, athletic, and bursting with shooting. But here’s the thing about Chapel Hill these days: talent has never been the issue. The question now is whether Hubert Davis can finally mold it into something greater than the sum of its parts.

Because for all his good intentions and likable persona, Davis’ biggest battle may not be on the court  it’s in the locker room.

The Shadow of Smith — and the Weight of Expectation

When Hubert Davis took over from Roy Williams in 2021, the fit felt perfect. A former Tar Heel star, a well-spoken ESPN analyst, and a man deeply steeped in the values of Dean Smith  he looked like the natural heir to carry UNC’s legendary tradition forward.

But reverence alone doesn’t win games, or manage egos.

While Davis mirrors Smith’s classy demeanor and gentlemanly public image, he appears to lack the most crucial Smith trait of all: emotional intelligence. His people skills  or perceived lack thereof  have quietly become one of the most persistent red flags of his tenure.

The Transfer Trail: Smoke Signals from Former Players

Look no further than the growing list of high-profile departures:

• Caleb Love, who said Davis couldn’t define his role.
• Elliot Cadeau, whose brother lashed out online after his exit.
• Drake Powell, now in the NBA, who admitted he never got to showcase his full game at UNC.
• Ven-Allen Lubin, whose new coach at NC State mocked how UNC misused him.

This isn’t a few disgruntled benchwarmers. This is a pattern  and a potentially damning one.

Even Armando Bacot, the heart and soul of UNC basketball for four years, seemed to regress in his final season. Something about last year’s Tar Heel team just never clicked. And while slow starts, inconsistent effort, and poor chemistry were the symptoms, it’s fair to wonder if the diagnosis begins at the top.

The Talent is There — Again

Let’s not ignore the positives. Davis and his staff reloaded well.

• Henri Veesaar (7-0) brings inside scoring, rim protection, and a surprisingly smooth jumper from Arizona.
• Caleb Wilson (6-9) might be the most exciting freshman Carolina has signed in years  a three-level scorer with NBA lottery potential.
• Jarin Stevenson (6-11) and James Brown (6-10) add further size and upside.
• Seth Trimble, the lone key returnee, is a fierce defender and explosive athlete who could emerge as the team’s emotional leader.
• A wave of new guards — Jaydon Young, Kyan Evans, Jonathan Powell, and European pro Luka Bogavac — flood the backcourt with three-point firepower.

It’s a deep, versatile team. There’s rim protection, perimeter shooting, and legitimate star potential. But again  none of it will matter if Davis can’t communicate clear roles, manage personalities, and build cohesion.

The Real Test: Leadership, Not Lineups

On paper, this team could finish in the top three of the ACC and make a run to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament.

On paper.

But ask yourself this: Can Davis get this many confident young players  some of whom came from starring roles elsewhere  to buy into structure, sacrifice, and team-first play?

Will he establish accountability? Will he define roles early and clearly? Will he handle adversity better than he did during the disastrous 2022-23 season, when a preseason No. 1 team failed to make the tournament?

UNC fans are watching closely. After signing a contract extension last winter, Davis is technically secure. But this season could define his future. Another year of chemistry issues, visible discontent, or early exits  and the calls for change may grow too loud to ignore.

The Bigger Picture: End of the Smith Tree?

If Davis fails, UNC won’t just be looking for a new coach. They’ll be closing the book on the Dean Smith coaching tree  an identity that’s defined Carolina Basketball for more than half a century.

Who’s left from that lineage? Not many.

That change, if it comes, will be cultural. Emotional. Traumatic, even. But it won’t be nearly as painful as watching another talented UNC team underachieve.

Final Thought

UNC has the pieces to contend. Veesaar and Wilson could be a devastating frontcourt duo. Trimble might be ready to lead. The shooting could finally space the floor the way Davis wants.

But if he doesn’t figure out how to inspire, organize, and unite this team, all the talent in the world won’t matter.

Because in Chapel Hill, winning isn’t about recruiting stars. It’s about rising above them  together.