The North Carolina Tar Heels opened up the 2026-27 season with a win, kicking off the Michael Malone era in a positive way. However, it wasn't easy.
After grabbing an early lead, the Tar Heels watched as Western Carolina kept it close and made it a game. It took a late run for the Tar Heels to get the 80-72 win. And while it's a win, there are some concerns with this first game.
It's early but this is a game North Carolina should have won by a lot more. They are certainly going to have to play better if they want to achieve their goals this season. But nonetheless, a win is a win.
Following the first win of his college coaching career, Malone met the media where he discussed his team's performance and what's next. Here is what Malone had to say
about the team's win.
All quotes via Inside Carolina.
On rebounding woes
“(That Western Carolina had) 13 more offensive rebounds is definitely a concern, and you can’t have your power forward and your starting center only have four combined. Terrence (Brown) had five by himself. Neo (Avdalas) had seven by himself. But we’ll have to watch it because one thing I do know is that both Jarin Stevenson and Sayon Keita, it’s not like they’re not playing hard. It’s not like they’re out there not giving effort. So we we will watch some film, see what what’s really causing it. But big picture, yes, we need Sayon and Jarin to be seven to 10 boards every night.”
On biggest thing that troubled him tonight?
“We were nine of 30 from the three-point line, 30%, and I’m going to make a guess here, I bet you 25 of those were open or wide open. I thought we generated a ton of good looks tonight that just did not go down. Aside from that, one thing I told our guys that right now we’re a team that takes two steps forward, three steps back. We can’t sustain anything. We have really good stretches, but we’re unable to sustain it for long stretches, and we have to find a way to build those habits where we can start putting longer stretches together, putting halves together, putting a full 40 minutes together.”
On using all five to crash boards and impact on transition?
“Before you can run, you have to rebound, and so we can’t worry about guys whether it’s leaking out right now. I think it’s four games now where our field goal percentage defense has been terrific, in my eyes. So you do all that hard work only to see the shot taken, and then they get an extra opportunity — 13 more tonight. So I think it’s something where we just have to continue to harp on it, drill it, demand it, and I’m going to keep on pounding that rock.”
On his emotions and Roy Williams giving him the game ball?
“Coach Williams is the best. He sent me an amazing text last night, a touching text, and you know how he and his wife Wanda have welcomed me into this family means the world to myself, my wife Jocelyn, and just kind of reminded me that I’m sharing the seat that Dean Smith sat in, and and how fortunate you are to be doing that.
“I have to remind myself constantly that this really is going to be a process. And I’m thankful we got the win tonight. Always much easier and better to clean up things after a win. But the emotions were, I’m thankful to get that first one. And the fans here have been just so kind to me and welcoming. I love that and I appreciate that. And I just want to make sure I’m doing my job to make the Carolina family proud. I don’t take this opportunity lightly, and that’s a huge responsibility.”
On the feel of who plays well together?
“Each game is an opportunity to look at different lineups, different combinations. We’re always looking at the analytics. The best two-man, three-man, four-man, or five-man combos out there, and that’s not just in our games, but we use that tracking from our practices as we try different groupings of players together to see what may help. The way I coach, we have our starting lineup. We have a sub chart going into each game as a reference, but the game will take on its own personality, and I’ll read that and act accordingly.”
On knowing if the post-game moment with Roy Williams was coming?
“I had no idea it was coming. I’ll be honest. Eric Hoots says, ‘Hey, Coach, they want to give you the game ball.’ I said, ‘I don’t want to do that right now. I just want to go in the back locker room.’ And then I looked over, and they had to grab Coach Williams. I said, ‘Well, Coach Williams is out here. I’m definitely going to do it.’ No disrespect to Steve Newmark, but Roy Williams is one of the greatest to ever do it, and for him to just to take the time to be here for the game — he told me, ‘Coach, you will not see me at any exhibition games, I’ll only come to the games that count.’ But I shook his hand before the game. I gave him a hug after the game, and obviously somebody that I look up to and respect, and thankful for his relationship.”
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: What Michael Malone said after North Carolina's win to open season
