3 biggest UNC concerns currently facing Michael Malone this offseason

It’s an exciting time when a program transitions to a new head coach, but that optimism can also be quite tenuous. Without a history to fall back on, every misstep is magnified, and for Michael Malone, there have been a few since he surprisingly took over at UNC. 

Still, Malone has built a strong roster that, while being underestimated nationally, could coalesce into a real ACC contender in 2026-27. And construction is not yet complete. One more splash on the international market, and the Tar Heels will be poised for improvement from Hubert Davis’s unacceptable finishes. But likewise, one more wrong move, either self-inflicted or out of his control, and the mood in Chapel Hill could change quickly. 

Even with the best teams, there’s always some cause for concern. For UNC, the reasons to worry are quite obvious. 

1. Matt Able staying in the NBA Draft

After an impressive freshman season at NC State, Matt Able entered both the Transfer Portal and the NBA Draft. Once the 6-foot-5 knockdown shooter committed to UNC, it was assumed he would eventually withdraw from the NBA Draft and return to college basketball. Now, with the NBA Draft combine approaching, that’s not exactly a certainty. 

Again, it’s likely that Able ultimately makes his way to Chapel Hill, but he’s currently working out in LA, training for the Combine, and in recent interviews, he sounds singularly focused on making it to the league. 

If Able were to stay in the draft, UNC would be in trouble. The Tar Heels have built a team with good perimeter size, but there isn’t much reliable shooting out of Able and Jarin Stevenson. Without Able on the wing, freshman Maximo Adams or senior Jaydon Young would be forced into the starting lineup, and both would be a downgrade from Able’s shot-making prowess. 

Malone’s first offseason has been solid, but the Tar Heels are already lacking proven depth with Able on the roster. Without him, it would be difficult to feel good about the rotation heading into the year. 

2. Which international center will Michael Malone add

Henri Veesaar is heading to the NBA. That reality forced Malone overseas, a trip that has netted him Malian seven-footer Sayon Keita from FC Barcelona. At 18-years-old, Keita is still filling out his frame and could use a year of seasoning before being thrust into a major role for the Tar Heels. Unfortunately, Malone may not have that luxury. 

UNC is working to add another international big, either to back up Keita or, maybe more ideally, to grab the starting five spot and force Keita to the bench. Which of those targets UNC actually lands has been a difficult question to answer, though. 

Italian seven-footer Luis Suigo was viewed as a target, but he has seemingly quieted those rumors. French seven-footer Brice Dessert has also been floated as a possibility, along with Senegalese prospect Momo Faye, who plays professionally in Paris. 

Those are probably the options Malone is choosing from, or more correctly, hoping will choose him and his program. But nothing is guaranteed, and until UNC locks down another international big man, the Tar Heels have a pretty clear hole in the front court. 

3. Will UNC’s offseason haul fit together

Malone’s roster construction is not complete yet, and an international big man could change the complexion of things considerably, but even so, there is enough clarity to understand Malone’s vision for the UNC program. The former NBA Champion wants to flood the floor with big playmakers, prioritizing positional size in the back court and on the wing with oversized initiators like Neoklis Avdalas and five-star freshman Maximo Adams. 

That’s not a bad way to build, especially as college basketball looks to supersize its front courts in the style of Michigan and Florida. If you can come close to matching that size but do so with players who can grab-and-go in transition or handle a few pick-and-roll possessions a game, you’re going to be a difficult matchup night in and night out. 

The worry, though, is the same as it is for many of the supersized teams: Do they have enough shooting? The difference is that those teams can get by without it in many cases because of their rebounding advantage and rim dominance, but for all of UNC’s length, the Tar Heels lack physicality. Keita weighs just 215, the same as Stevenson and Avdalas. 

So, especially with Terrence Brown’s shooting struggles and propensity to attack the rim, there’s a version of this UNC team that can’t space the floor and can’t bully teams inside. That’s not the most likely outcome, but it’s within the range of possible ones, and it’s the most concerning by far.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow