MILWAUKEE—The end of the Carolina basketball season isn’t easy to digest.
The Tar Heels’ journey concluded on Friday night with a 71-64 loss to Ole Miss. Now, we have to come to terms with that outcome.
Ending the Carolina basketball season is always tough, with few exceptions—1982, 1993, 2005, 2009, 2017, and perhaps even 1957. Most programs would be content with any victories in such a timeline. Unfortunately, every other season typically ends in disappointment. For example, in 1998, we endured a long season watching Ed Cota assist Vince Carter, which culminated in heartbreak.
The 2008 season saw Tyler Hansbrough shine, only for it to end on a sour note. Similarly, in 2016, we were thrilled to witness Marcus Paige‘s remarkable talent, but it ended in devastation. So, even the most successful seasons can leave fans feeling miserable, and this year was certainly not one for the record books. What, then, do we conclude about this season?
It was a complex experience. At times, this iteration of the Tar Heels didn’t resemble the historic Carolina basketball tradition. The first half against Ole Miss was a stark reminder, as Mississippi proved to be tougher and more competitive. Coach Hubert Davis acknowledged, “They brought the competitive fight in the first half… they dominated us.”
However, the second half brought a spark, as the Tar Heels rallied. Ole Miss head coach Chris Beard anticipated the comeback, and it materialized with notable performances, including Elliot Cadeau and Jalen Washington making a significant impact. The excitement of comebacks against teams like Dayton and UCLA were highlights, but such rallying required digging an early deficit, which symbolizes much of this season.
And in a strange moment during the game, I spotted a father-son duo, cheering for Carolina while donning Duke jerseys. How perplexing! This season also bid farewell to the five-year Tar Heel, RJ Davis, who expressed how his college years transcended basketball, focusing instead on relationships built during his time at Carolina. “The past five years are the greatest five years of my life,” he reflected, emphasizing the importance of life’s connections beyond the sport.
The emotional rollercoaster this season brought raises questions about the future. With RJ departing and uncertainty surrounding returning players, the offseason promises significant changes. New recruits will join and we’ll have fresh faces to focus on by mid-October. As always, there will be highs and lows, but that’s the nature of college sports. Someday, if people inquire about the 2025 team, we’ll need to think hard about the diverse experiences that defined that season.
