Teams aren't supposed to look their best in the preseason. The North Carolina Tar Heels, playing their first season in the Michael Malone era, looked far from their best in Tuesday's preseason finale vs. Charlotte.
UNC trailed the 49ers by 14 at one point in the first half, definite largely by cold shooting. Charlotte had North Carolina on the brink late in second-half action, leading by six and ready to stage a sizable upset.
Terrence Brown hit a free throw in the closing seconds of regulation, the Tar Heels dominated overtime and escaped their home arena with an 89-82 victory.
Brown was the best player in Chapel Hill on Tuesday night, scoring a game-high 27 points (9-of-18 FG, 7-of-9 FT) and rewarding Malone for landing him in the transfer portal.
Brown nailed his second three to end UNC's scoring attack, which ended overtime on a 9-0 run.
Sayon Keita played another solid game at center, scoring 12 points, but he'll need help down low. Charlotte bullied North Carolina on the offensive glass, staying close due to a sizable advantage in second-chance points. The Tar Heels struggled at the line, despite Brown's clutch free throw late in second-half action, something they'll have to fix.
Versatility and depth, which Malone praised after UNC beat USC in its preseason opener, played major factors in UNC's preseason finale with five double-digit scorers.
As you debate the Tar Heels' Tuesday night performance, take a look at several postgame social media reactions below.
A silver lining?
UNC takes an exhibition in overtime vs. Charlotte, 89-82.
— Josh Graham (@JoshGrahamShow) October 28, 2026
Heels should feel good about a win without Matt Able in the lineup.
If you're the 49ers, you're elated with Wes Miller, who is a perfect fit at that school.
Got it done in OT. pic.twitter.com/WvkBaLWzZ8
— Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) October 28, 2026
Just gettin' started. pic.twitter.com/hXp2GqzWqD
— UNC Tar Heels (@GoHeels) October 28, 2026
Rebounding has to improve
Some of tonight was an effort problem. Terrible effort on the glass. Hope this serves as a massive wake up call.
— UNC Barstool (@UNCBarstool) October 28, 2026
Is the reverse curse a real thing?
Still not pretty, but the reverse curse works again. https://t.co/NQbikCi7EG pic.twitter.com/B4XfFLyFJ6
— Anthony Pagnotta (Flounder) (@HTBAnthony) October 28, 2026
Michael Malone brings fresh life to Chapel Hill
Michael Malone got these kids moving different. pic.twitter.com/zy8tMGzvxH
— Trilly Donovan (@trillydonovan) October 28, 2026
The mistake that changed momentum
Charlotte, up one on North Carolina with 16 seconds to go, calls a timeout they don’t have 😬
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) October 28, 2026
The exhibition is now in overtime… pic.twitter.com/kJq6foaB3C
Charlotte oh no https://t.co/VYEwlk7UeL
— Mid-Major Madness (@mid_madness) October 28, 2026
Should you be concerned?
Charlotte exhibition game thoughts.#goheels #UNC #Collegebasketball pic.twitter.com/5ozhXUiKPo
— Andy Bagwell 🏀 (@ncbags) October 28, 2026
Helluva lot of work to do pic.twitter.com/K7GoJWnQY9
— UNC Zone (@unc_zone) October 28, 2026
It’s a Webber-aided OT opportunity for UNC vs. Charlotte.
— Isaac Schade (@isaacschade) October 28, 2026
Win or lose, let the crash-out over this performance begin.
A new dynamic duo?
Terrence Brown and Neo Avdalas came through 😤
— Recruits News (@recruitsnews) October 28, 2026
UNC survives Charlotte in OT 😅 pic.twitter.com/HJ7miWA8Ww
How are the boys feeling?
UNC head men’s basketball coach Mike Malone discusses the mood in the locker room after the Tar Heels overtime preseason win against Charlotte. pic.twitter.com/jbw8HFkiwY
— Carolina Blitz (@KeepBlitzin) October 28, 2026
#UNC men's basketball guard Terrence Brown on the slow start vs. Charlotte: "We're still trying to learn how to play together ... we were just missing shots." pic.twitter.com/SJwdIbEKxR
— Michael McCleary (@MikeJMcCleary) October 28, 2026
Sensing a bit of sarcasm here...
congrats to the Tar Heels on their come-from-behind miracle overtime victory over *checks tape* Wes Miller and the Charlotte 49ers
— Duke Better (@DukeBetter) October 28, 2026
UNC went to overtime with Charlotte????
— Blue Devils (@BlueDevils) October 28, 2026
Charlotte almost won...
Survive and advance?
— Jacob Turner (@JacobTurnerNC) October 28, 2026
Charlotte's luck runs out in overtime, as North Carolina pulls away in the final minutes to score a 89-82 victory over the 49ers in the final exhibition game ahead of regular season play.
— Hunter Bailey (@Hunter_Bailey45) October 28, 2026
Terrance Brown led the way with 27 points, and Charlotte's Keyshuan Tillery poured in 24.
A gap year...in basketball?
Respectfully it was always going to be a gap year no matter how hard you tried to convince yourself on this roster.
— William McCallister (@WilliamMcCall_) October 28, 2026
A game of the past...
Let's never talk about this night again. pic.twitter.com/KBbrNAKEn8
— ♛Young Simba♛ (A Leaky Black Stan Account) (@CrownedPrinceHC) October 28, 2026
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: How social media reacted to UNC winning preseason finale vs. Charlotte
