Arkansas’ Chuck Martin Set To Join Michael Malone’s UNC Staff Michael Malone is finalizing the addition of his top assistant, as Arkansas’ Chuck Martin is poised to join the North Carolina Tar Heels’ coaching staff as associate head coach. The hire, confirmed by multiple sources, marks a significant move for both Malone and Martin, who brings extensive experience in college basketball. Inside Carolina first reported the news on Monday, noting that Malone had narrowed his focus to Martin, while Jon Rothstein later confirmed the deal was being finalized for the associate head coach position. Martin has since agreed to the role, and the University of North Carolina is moving forward with the assumption that he will join the staff. Martin, a seasoned assistant coach with 14 years of experience at major conference programs, spent the past two seasons at Arkansas under head coach John Calipari. During his tenure, he served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the Razorbacks. His work at Arkansas has been instrumental in shaping the program’s success, as both of his recruiting classes have ranked among the nation’s top five. The 2026 class, in particular, is currently projected as the second-best in the country. This success has positioned Martin as a key figure in the college basketball landscape, and his hiring by UNC underscores Malone’s commitment to building a competitive program. Malone emphasized the importance of hiring coaches with global connections to attract top-tier talent. “As I hire my staff, I want to hire guys that have great contacts, not only in the country, but around the world, so we can continue to bring the best players here and help them develop so we can field the best team,” Malone stated at a press conference.#arkansas #john_calipari #michael_malone #north_carolina_tar_heels #chuck_martin
Geno Auriemma attacks the rims in March Madness rant -- and the NCAA should listen to him FORT WORTH, Texas -- On Friday, Geno Auriemma's UConn Huskies beat the North Carolina Tar Heels by 21 points to advance to their 29th Elite Eight in the past 32 seasons. But in his postgame press conference, he wasn’t in an extremely celebratory mood. While discussing the poor shooting percentages in the game — the Huskies shot just 40% from the field and 20% from outside, well below their season averages — he focused not on his players, but on a staple of the sport that typically relegated to supporting-character status: the rims. "Do you ever notice when you come to the regionals, they use brand new baskets? These rims have never touched a basketball until now, so it's hard. You can't get a ball to go boop, boop, in. Once that ball hits the rim, it's going out of bounds. It's the weirdest thing," he said. On Saturday morning, Auriemma continued to attack the rims during his off-day press conference — which began at 9:30 a.m. local time, a full hour later than Notre Dame head coach Niele Ivey had to face reporters — and this time, he came with receipts. "I'm going read you some numbers, OK? Write them down: 4 for 20, 4 for 22, 1 for 17, 5 for 18, 4 for 16, 7 for 26," he said, unprompted. "That's the 3-point shooting [Friday] across the country. How many arenas are we going to sell out with that bullshit? ... They bring in new baskets, new basketballs right out of the box. Got people dribbling the ball off their feet. You got people missing layups all over the place. You bounce the ball, and it goes up to the ceiling. There's just no concept of how basketball is played.#ncaa #uconn_huskies #geno_auriemma #fort_worth #north_carolina_tar_heels
Who's next at UNC? Potential candidates to replace Hubert Davis, their priorities Hubert Davis has been dismissed as head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels, just five days after the team’s devastating loss to 11-seed VCU in the NCAA tournament. The firing marks the end of Davis’ five-year tenure at Chapel Hill, which included a national championship game appearance in 2022 and an ACC regular-season title in 2024. Davis, who had been on the hot seat after a 24-8 season and a loss to Duke in February, faced mounting pressure following the collapse against VCU, where the Tar Heels surrendered a 19-point lead in the second half. The decision came despite the team’s struggles with star forward Caleb Wilson’s season-ending injury, which had initially seemed to secure Davis’ position. The search for Davis’ successor will involve navigating several challenges. Athletic director Bubba Cunningham is set to leave his role this summer, with Steve Newmark, a former NASCAR executive, expected to take over. The department also faces decisions about whether to renovate the Dean Smith Center or relocate the basketball program. Meanwhile, the football team, led by Bill Belichick, is receiving significant resources and attention, which could influence the coaching search. Industry insiders suggest that North Carolina remains an elite destination for head coaches, with its rich history, tradition, and facilities. However, the current landscape is more complex than when Roy Williams retired in 2021. While the job is still considered one of the best in college basketball, the team’s recent struggles and administrative changes may affect its appeal. Potential candidates for the position include Billy Donovan, who has not coached at the college level since 2015 but led Florida to two national championships.#hubert_davis #north_carolina_tar_heels #bubba_cunningham #steve_newmark #bill_belichick
Bracket-Busting Teams to Watch March Madness has officially kicked off, and with the brackets finalized, the stage is set for a mix of powerhouse teams and underdog stories. While top seeds often dominate the conversation, several double-digit seeds and mid-tier teams are positioned to make waves. Here’s a breakdown of the key contenders and moments to watch. In the men’s bracket, chaos is expected in the first weekend, with three double-digit seeds standing out. The No. 11 seed Virginia Commonwealth Rams, led by coach Phil Martelli Jr., have been on a tear, winning 16 of their last 17 games and capturing the Atlantic 10 Tournament. Their 3-point shooting prowess and deep bench make them a dangerous threat, especially against the No. 6 seed North Carolina Tar Heels, who are missing injured star Caleb Wilson. Meanwhile, the No. 10 seed Santa Clara Broncos, riding a 17-game winning streak, have the tools to challenge higher-seeded teams. Their ability to force turnovers and hit from beyond the arc could be key if they advance past the No. 7 seed Kentucky Wildcats. High Point University, a No. 12 seed, is another dark horse. The Panthers finished the season 30-4, leading the nation in scoring margin and averaging 19.7 points per game. Their aggressive defensive style, which ranks third in turnovers forced per game, could disrupt the No. 5-seeded Wisconsin Badgers. On the women’s side, the landscape is slightly different. While top seeds like UConn and Texas remain strong favorites, several non-No. 1 teams could disrupt the Final Four. The No. 4 seed Oklahoma Sooners, led by freshman Aaliyah Chavez, have the firepower to challenge any opponent. Their recent overtime victory over South Carolina, where Chavez scored 26 points and dished out 8 assists, highlights their potential.#phil_martelli_jr #march_madness #virginia_commonwealth_rams #north_carolina_tar_heels #santa_clara_broncos
