2021–22 North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball team

The 2021–22 North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball team represented the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill during the 2021–22 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The team was coached by Hubert Davis, in his first season as UNC's head coach after the retirement of longtime coach Roy Williams. The Tar Heels played their home games at the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, as members of the Atlantic Coast Conference.

2021–22 North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball
NCAA tournament, Runner-up
ConferenceAtlantic Coast Conference
Ranking
CoachesNo. 2
Record29–10 (15–5 ACC)
Head coach
Assistant coaches
Home arenaDean E. Smith Center
Seasons
2021–22 ACC men's basketball standings
ConfOverall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
No. 9 Duke164 .800327 .821
North Carolina155 .7502910 .744
Notre Dame155 .7502411 .686
Miami (FL)146 .7002611 .703
Wake Forest137 .6502510 .714
Virginia128 .6002114 .600
Virginia Tech119 .5502313 .639
Florida State1010 .5001714 .548
Syracuse911 .4501617 .485
Clemson812 .4001716 .515
Louisville614 .3001319 .406
Boston College614 .3001320 .394
Pittsburgh614 .3001121 .344
Georgia Tech515 .2501220 .375
NC State416 .2001121 .344
2022 ACC tournament winner
Rankings from AP poll

They finished the season 29–10 overall and 15–5 in ACC play to finish in a tie for second place. As the third seed in the ACC tournament, they defeated sixth seed Virginia in the Quarterfinals before losing to seventh seed and eventual champions Virginia Tech in the Semifinals. They earned an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament and were the eighth seed in the East Region. In the Final Four, Carolina beat Duke in the first and only rivalry meeting in the NCAA tournament. This game would be the final game of Coach K's career. In the National Championship game they lost to Kansas to end their run despite leading by as many as 17 before halftime.

Previous season

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The Tar Heels finished the 2020–21 season 18–11, 10–6 in ACC play to finish in a tie for fifth place. On February 27, 2021, head coach Roy Williams won his 900th career game in a win over Florida State, becoming the 5th and fastest Division 1 men's head coach to reach the milestone. On March 6, 2021, UNC completed a season sweep over rival Duke in a 91–73 win. Following the win, Roy Williams kissed the Smith Center court, causing speculation of possible retirement. Williams later said it was because of the team's 10–1 home record.[1] As the No. 6 seed in the ACC tournament, they defeated Notre Dame and Virginia Tech, before losing to Florida State in the semifinals. The Virginia Tech win would end up as Williams' 903rd and last win as a coach. North Carolina received an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament as a No. 8 seed and would lose in the first round to 9th-seeded Wisconsin in what would be Roy Williams' last game. Following the season, Roy Williams announced he would retire after 18 years as head coach of North Carolina.

Offseason

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On April 1, 2021, Roy Williams announced his retirement. Williams stated that he didn't feel like he was the "right man for the job anymore".[2] ESPN's Seth Greenberg suspected the changing culture of college basketball and "constantly re-recruiting your players, as opposed to mentoring them" played a part in Williams' decision.[3] Following the announcement, athletic director Bubba Cunningham and chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz started the process of searching for the next head coach.[4] CBS Sports' Matt Norlander said "The best job in college basketball just opened".[5] On April 5, 2021, UNC hired former player and assistant coach Hubert Davis as the next head coach.[6] The next day, Davis was formally introduced at an introductory press conference.

Roster changes

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Following UNC's loss to Wisconsin in the 2021 NCAA tournament, Sports Illustrated's Quierra Luck reported, "Carolina will have some transfers; a considerably high number for UNC" and Inside Carolina's Sherrell McMillan reported the offseason would be "ominous".[7][8]

Three days later, freshman center Walker Kessler announced he was entering the NCAA's transfer portal.[9] Inside Carolina reported that Kessler's decision was a "basketball decision only".[10] On April 12, 2021, Kessler announced that he would transfer to Auburn for the 2021-22 season.

On March 24, 2021, freshman forward/center Day'Ron Sharpe declared for the 2021 NBA draft.[11] On April 6, 2021 sophomore Armando Bacot also declared for the NBA draft, citing his intentions to "test the waters".[12] On June 21, 2021 Bacot formally withdrew from the NBA draft process, signaling his return to UNC for his junior season in a tweet.[13]

Redshirt junior Sterling Manley, walk-on senior Walker Miller, and senior forward Garrison Brooks all announced intentions to graduate and transfer.[14][15][16] Brooks transferred to Mississippi State on April 15.[17] On June 19, Miller announced he would be pursuing a graduate transfer at Monmouth University, and would be coached there by another former Tar Heel player in King Rice.[18] Manley eventually pulled his name from the transfer portal and decided to turn professional. After graduation, guard Andrew Platek eventually put his name into the transfer portal, and enrolled at Siena College in his home state of New York.[19]

Coach Davis was active in the transfer portal to mitigate these losses. On April 10, 2021, Virginia transfer Justin McKoy chose the Tar Heels. He was followed on April 16 by Oklahoma forward Brady Manek.[20][21] On July 8, 2021, the Tar Heels picked up another transfer when former Marquette forward Dawson Garcia, a Big East All-Freshman team selection for the 2020–2021 season, committed to the Tar Heels. His addition was made official on July 9, when the school issued a press release indicating his signing and arrival in Chapel Hill.[22]

Departures

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North Carolina Departures
NameNumberPos.HeightWeightYearHometownReason for Departure
Andrew Platek3G6'4"205SeniorGuilderland, NYGraduated and transferred to Siena
Day'Ron Sharpe11F/C6'11"265FreshmanGreenville, NCDeclared for the 2021 NBA draft
Walker Kessler13F/C7'1"245FreshmanNewnan, GATransferred to Auburn
Garrison Brooks15F6'10"240SeniorLafayette, ALGraduated and transferred to Mississippi State
Sterling Manley21F6'11"250 JuniorPickerington, OHGraduated
Walker Miller22F6'11"235SeniorGreensboro, NCGraduated and transferred to Monmouth
K. J. Smith30G6'2"170 SeniorCalabasas, CAGraduated

Incoming transfers

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North Carolina Incoming Transfers
NameNumberPos.HeightWeightYearHometownPrevious SchoolYears RemainingDate Eligible
Dawson Garcia13F6'11"235SophomorePrior Lake, MNMarquette4October 1, 2021
Justin McKoy22F6'8"220JuniorRaleigh, NCVirginia3October 1, 2021
Brady Manek45F6'9"230GraduateHarrah, OKOklahoma1October 1, 2021

2021 recruiting class

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US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
NameHometownHigh school / collegeHeightWeightCommit date
Dontrez Styles
SF
Kinston, NCKinston6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)205 lb (93 kg)Apr 18, 2020 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:    ESPN grade: 84
D'Marco Dunn
SG
Tucson, AZWestover (NC)6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)180 lb (82 kg)Sep 30, 2020 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:    ESPN grade: 85
Overall recruiting rankings:   Rivals: 35  247Sports: 38
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "North Carolina 2021 Basketball Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  • "2021 North Carolina Tar Heels Recruiting Class". ESPN.com. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  • "2021 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved April 20, 2021.

Roster

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2021–22 North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball team
PlayersCoaches
Pos.#NameHeightWeightYearPrevious schoolHometown
G0Anthony Harris (I)6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)195 lb (88 kg)RS SoPaul VI CatholicWoodbridge, VA
G/F1Leaky Black6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)200 lb (91 kg)SrCox MillConcord, NC
G2Caleb Love (C)6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)195 lb (88 kg)SoChristian Brothers CollegeSt. Louis, MO
G/F3Dontrez Styles6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)210 lb (95 kg)FrKinstonKinston, NC
G4R. J. Davis (C)6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)175 lb (79 kg)SoArchbishop StepinacWhite Plains, NY
F/C5Armando Bacot (C)6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)240 lb (109 kg)JrIMG AcademyRichmond, VA
G11D'Marco Dunn6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)185 lb (84 kg)FrWestoverTucson, AZ
F13Dawson Garcia6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)235 lb (107 kg)SoPrior Lake
Marquette
Prior Lake, MN
G14Puff Johnson6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)205 lb (93 kg)SoHillcrest PrepMoon Township, PA
G15Rob Landry (W)6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)185 lb (84 kg)SoNCSSMGreensboro, NC
F/C21Will Shaver[1]  6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)245 lb (111 kg)FrOak MountainBirmingham, AL
F22Justin McKoy6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)220 lb (100 kg)JrPanther Creek
Virginia
Raleigh, NC
G24Kerwin Walton6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)210 lb (95 kg)SoHopkinsHopkins, MN
G25Creighton Lebo (W)6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)170 lb (77 kg)SoGreenfieldGreenville, NC
G30Jackson Watkins (W)6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)180 lb (82 kg)JrCollegiate SchoolRichmond, VA
F34Duwe Farris (W)6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)215 lb (98 kg)JrMyers ParkCharlotte, NC
F35Ryan McAdoo (W)6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)210 lb (95 kg)RS SrSaint Andrew'sBoca Raton, FL
F45Brady Manek6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)230 lb (104 kg)GSHarrah
Oklahoma
Harrah, OK
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • (W) Walk-on

^ Shaver, a member of North Carolina's 2022 recruiting class, enrolled a semester early due to the Tar Heels having an extra scholarship available. He will redshirt for the remainder of the 2021–22 season.

Schedule and results

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Date
time, TV
Rank#Opponent#ResultRecordHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsSite (attendance)
city, state
Exhibition
November 5, 2021*
7:30 p.m., ACCNX
No. 19 Elizabeth City StateW 83–55 
 17  Garcia  7  Black  5  Tied Dean Smith Center (18,061)
Chapel Hill, NC
Regular Season
November 9, 2021*
7:00 p.m., ACCN
No. 19 Loyola (MD)W 83–67 1–0
 22  Love  9  Garcia  5  Davis Dean Smith Center (14,992)
Chapel Hill, NC
November 12, 2021*
9:00 p.m., ACCN
No. 19 BrownW 94–87 2–0
 26  Davis  10  Bacot  6  Davis Dean Smith Center (16,854)
Chapel Hill, NC
November 16, 2021*
8:30 p.m., CBSSN
No. 18 at College of CharlestonW 94–83 3–0
 24  Bacot  12  Bacot  6  Love TD Arena (5,203)
Charleston, SC
November 20, 2021*
4:00 p.m., ESPNews
No. 18 vs. No. 6 Purdue
Hall of Fame Tip Off semifinal
L 84–93 3–1
 26  Garcia  8  Garcia  4  Tied Mohegan Sun Arena (9,176)
Uncasville, CT
November 21, 2021*
3:30 p.m., ESPN
No. 18 vs. No. 17 Tennessee
Hall of Fame Tip Off third place game
L 72–89 3–2
 16  Bacot  12  Bacot  4  Davis Mohegan Sun Arena (9,100)
Uncasville, CT
November 23, 2021*
7:00 p.m., ACCRSN
UNC AshevilleW 72–53 4–2
 22  Bacot  11  Black  5  Love Dean Smith Center (15,710)
Chapel Hill, NC
December 1, 2021*
9:15 p.m., ESPN
No. 24 Michigan
ACC/Big Ten Challenge
W 72–51 5–2
 22  Love  14  Bacot  4  Love Dean Smith Center (19,938)
Chapel Hill, NC
December 5, 2021
3:00 p.m., ESPN
at Georgia TechW 79–62 6–2
(1–0)
 23  Davis  13  Bacot  5  Tied McCamish Pavilion (6,217)
Atlanta, GA
December 11, 2021*
8:00 p.m., ACCN
ElonW 80–63 7–2
 22  Tied  8  Black  3  Black Dean Smith Center (16,607)
Chapel Hill, NC
December 14, 2021*
7:00 p.m., ESPN2
FurmanW 74–61 8–2
 20  Garcia  12  Bacot  7  Davis Dean Smith Center (14,342)
Chapel Hill, NC
December 18, 2021*
3:00 p.m., CBS
vs. No. 4 UCLA
CBS Sports Classic
Canceled due to COVID-19 issues within UCLA program [23]T-Mobile Arena 
Paradise, NV
December 18, 2021*
5:30 p.m., CBS
vs. No. 21 Kentucky
CBS Sports Classic
L 69–98 8–3
 22  Bacot  10  Bacot  3  Davis T-Mobile Arena (12,117)
Paradise, NV
December 21, 2021*
7:00 p.m., ACCN
Appalachian StateW 70–50 9–3
 16  Bacot  11  Manek  5  Love Dean Smith Center (19,386)
Chapel Hill, NC
January 2, 2022
1:00 p.m., ESPN2
at Boston CollegeW 91–65 10–3
(2–0)
 22  Love  11  Bacot  5  Black Conte Forum (5,516)
Chestnut Hill, MA
January 5, 2022
9:00 p.m., ESPN2
at Notre DameL 73–78 10–4
(2–1)
 21  Bacot  17  Bacot  5  Davis Edmund P. Joyce Center (6,259)
South Bend, IN
January 8, 2022
1:00 p.m., ESPN
VirginiaW 74–58 11–4
(3–1)
 29  Bacot  21  Bacot  5  Tied Dean Smith Center (20,638)
Chapel Hill, NC
January 15, 2022
8:00 p.m., ACCN
Georgia TechW 88–65 12–4
(4–1)
 29  Bacot  12  Bacot  6  Davis Dean Smith Center (18,568)
Chapel Hill, NC
January 18, 2022
7:00 p.m., ACCN
at Miami (FL)L 57–85 12–5
(4–2)
 15  Bacot  12  Bacot  3  3 Tied Watsco Center (5,979)
Coral Gables, FL
January 22, 2022
8:00 p.m., ACCN
at Wake Forest
Rivalry
L 76–98 12–6
(4–3)
 22  Manek  12  Bacot  3  Tied LJVM Coliseum (11,898)
Winston-Salem, NC
January 24, 2022
8:00 p.m., ACCN
Virginia Tech
Rescheduled from Dec. 29, 2021
W 78–68 13–6
(5–3)
 22  Love  19  Bacot  5  Love Dean Smith Center (19,357)
Chapel Hill, NC
January 26, 2022
7:00 p.m., ACCRSN
Boston CollegeW 58–47 14–6
(6–3)
 16  Love  18  Bacot  5  Black Dean Smith Center (17,237)
Chapel Hill, NC
January 29, 2022
2:00 p.m., ACCN
NC State
Rivalry
W 100–80 15–6
(7–3)
 21  Love  13  Bacot  5  Love Dean Smith Center (21,750)
Durham, NC
February 1, 2022
8:00 p.m., ACCN
at LouisvilleW 90–83 OT16–6
(8–3)
 24  Manek  22  Bacot  6  Love KFC Yum! Center (13,386)
Louisville, KY
February 5, 2022
6:00 p.m., ESPN
No. 9 Duke
Rivalry
L 67–87 16–7
(8–4)
 21  Manek  6  Tied  4  Love Dean Smith Center (21,750)
Chapel Hill, NC
February 8, 2022
6:00 p.m., ACCN
at ClemsonW 79–77 17–7
(9–4)
 24  Bacot  10  Bacot  6  Davis Littlejohn Coliseum (7,470)
Clemson, SC
February 12, 2022
2:00 p.m., ESPN
Florida StateW 94–74 18–7
(10–4)
 18  Love  14  Bacot  6  Love Dean Smith Center (20,348)
Chapel Hill, NC
February 16, 2022
8:00 p.m., ACCN
PittsburghL 67–76 18–8
(10–5)
 19  Love  10  Manek  4  Bacot Dean Smith Center (17,270)
Chapel Hill, NC
February 19, 2022
4:00 p.m., ESPN2
at Virginia TechW 65–57 19–8
(11–5)
 21  Love  15  Bacot  7  Love Cassell Coliseum (9,825)
Blacksburg, VA
February 21, 2022
7:00 p.m., ESPN
LouisvilleW 70–63 20–8
(12–5)
 17  Manek  15  Bacot  5  Love Dean Smith Center (18,618)
Chapel Hill, NC
February 26, 2022
2:00 p.m., ESPN
at NC State
Rivalry
W 84–74 21–8
(13–5)
 28  Bacot  18  Bacot  5  Manek PNC Arena (16,704)
Raleigh, NC
February 28, 2022
7:00 p.m., ESPN
SyracuseW 88–79 OT22–8
(14–5)
 22  Manek  18  Bacot  7  Black Dean Smith Center (21,750)
Chapel Hill, NC
March 5, 2022
6:00 p.m., ESPN
at No. 4 Duke
Rivalry
W 94–81 23–8
(15–5)
 23  Bacot  11  Manek  5  Love Cameron Indoor Stadium (9,314)
Durham, NC
ACC Tournament
March 10, 2022
9:30 p.m., ESPN
(3) No. 25 vs. (6) Virginia
Quarterfinals
W 63–43 24–8
 21  Manek  11  Bacot  6  Davis Barclays Center (15,994)
Brooklyn, NY
March 11, 2022
9:30 p.m., ESPN
(3) No. 25 vs. (7) Virginia Tech
Semifinals
L 59–72 24–9
 19  Bacot  14  Bacot  4  Tied Barclays Center (15,994)
Brooklyn, NY
NCAA tournament
March 17, 2022*
4:30 p.m., TBS
(8 E) vs. (9 E) Marquette
First Round
W 95–63 25–9
 28  Manek  11  Manek  12  Davis Dickies Arena (12,964)
Fort Worth, TX
March 19, 2022*
12:10 p.m., CBS
(8 E) vs. (1 E) No. 4 Baylor
Second Round
W 93–86 OT26–9
 30  Davis  16  Bacot  6  Davis Dickies Arena (13,300)
Fort Worth, TX
March 25, 2022*
9:40 p.m., CBS
(8 E) vs. (4 E) No. 11 UCLA
Sweet Sixteen
W 73–66 27–9
 30  Love  15  Bacot  4  Love Wells Fargo Center (20,136)
Philadelphia, PA
March 27, 2022*
5:05 p.m., CBS
(8 E) vs. (15 E) Saint Peter's
Elite Eight
W 69–49 28–9
 20  Bacot  22  Bacot  5  Black Wells Fargo Center (20,235)
Philadelphia, PA
April 2, 2022
8:49 p.m., TBS
(8 E) vs. (2 W) No. 9 Duke
Final Four/Rivalry
W 81–77 29–9
 28  Love  21  Bacot  4  Davis Caesars Superdome (70,602)
New Orleans, LA
April 4, 2022
9:20 p.m., TBS
(8 E) vs. (1 MW) No. 3 Kansas
National Championship
L 69–72 29–10
 15  Tied  15  Bacot  2  Tied Caesars Superdome (69,423)
New Orleans, LA
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses.
All times are in Eastern Time.

[24]

Rankings

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Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre123456789101112131415161718Final
AP1918RVRVRVRVRVRV25RVNot released
Coaches2020*RVRVRVRVRVRVRVRV2

*Coaches did not release a week 1 poll.

References

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  1. ^ Roy Williams Explains Kissing Center Court, retrieved April 3, 2021
  2. ^ Roy Williams Retirement Press Conference, retrieved April 3, 2021
  3. ^ ESPN SportsCenter Coverage of Roy Williams' Retirement, retrieved April 3, 2021
  4. ^ THI TV: UNC AD Bubba Cunningham Addresses Basketball Coaching Search, retrieved April 3, 2021
  5. ^ Norlander, Matt [@MattNorlander] (April 1, 2021). "The best job in college basketball just opened" (Tweet). Archived from the original on April 1, 2021. Retrieved June 13, 2021 – via Twitter.
  6. ^ "Davis named UNC coach, Williams' successor". ESPN.com. April 5, 2021. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  7. ^ Luck [@Quierra_Luck] (March 19, 2021). "I'm hearing from my sources Carolina will have some transfers; a considerably high number for UNC" (Tweet). Archived from the original on March 20, 2021. Retrieved June 13, 2021 – via Twitter.
  8. ^ Sherrell D. McMillan [@RellDMC] (March 19, 2021). "Alone, this (likely) UNC loss isn't the end of the world. Coupled with roster uncertainty heading into an offseason unlike any other, it's... ominous" (Tweet). Archived from the original on April 10, 2021. Retrieved June 13, 2021 – via Twitter.
  9. ^ Kessler, Walker [@WalkerKessler13] (March 22, 2021). "https://t.co/SxG9ruLCDF" (Tweet). Archived from the original on April 10, 2021. Retrieved June 13, 2021 – via Twitter.
  10. ^ "Walker Kessler Leaving UNC". InsideCarolina.com. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  11. ^ "UNC freshman big man Sharpe to enter NBA draft". ESPN.com. March 24, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  12. ^ Armando Bacot Jr. [@iget_buckets35] (April 6, 2021). "Ready for whatever... https://t.co/EpruCAz49X" (Tweet). Archived from the original on April 6, 2021. Retrieved June 13, 2021 – via Twitter.
  13. ^ Al Hood (June 21, 2021). "UNC Basketball: Armando Bacot officially returns to the Tar Heels". Tar Heel Blog.
  14. ^ "Sterling Manley Graduating from UNC, Entering NCAA Transfer Portal". InsideCarolina.com. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  15. ^ "UNC center Walker Miller to pursue graduate transfer". 247Sports. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  16. ^ "UNC's Garrison Brooks Enters Transfer Portal". 247Sports.
  17. ^ "North Carolina transfer Garrison Brooks intends to transfer to Mississippi State". 247Sports. April 15, 2021.
  18. ^ Avery Trendel (June 19, 2021). "Former UNC Forward Walker Miller Transferring to Monmouth". Chapelboro.com.
  19. ^ Mark Singelais (September 13, 2021). "Former Guilderland basketball star Andrew Platek enrolls at Siena". Times Union.
  20. ^ Krest, Shawn (April 10, 2021). "UNC Adds Virginia Transfer Justin McKoy". SI.com. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  21. ^ McMillan, Sherrell (April 15, 2021). "Oklahoma Transfer Brady Manek Commits to UNC". 247Sports. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  22. ^ Kirschner, Steve (July 9, 2021). "Dawson Garcia Joins Men's Basketball Team - University of North Carolina Athletics". North Carolina Tar Heels. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021.
  23. ^ "Men's Basketball Will Face Kentucky, Not UCLA, Saturday In Las Vegas". goheels.com. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  24. ^ "2021–22 Men's Basketball Schedule". goheels.com. UNC Athletics.