College Basketball Analyst Sounds Off On Tar Heels Roster Revamp
College basketball analyst Jon Rothstein didn’t hold back when discussing the revamped North Carolina Tar Heels roster ahead of the 2025–26 season. During a segment on his national podcast, College Hoops Today, Rothstein described the new-look Tar Heels as “one of the most strategically retooled teams in the country,” praising head coach Hubert Davis for what he called a “surgical overhaul” of a program with championship ambitions.
“This is not the same Carolina team you saw last season,” Rothstein declared. “Hubert Davis didn’t just patch holes—he tore down and rebuilt parts of the roster like a seasoned architect.”
Following a disappointing Sweet Sixteen exit in March, Davis made it clear that mediocrity would no longer be tolerated in Chapel Hill. With a mix of high-profile transfers, breakout freshmen, and returning veterans, the 2025–26 Tar Heels are poised for a serious Final Four run. Rothstein highlighted the arrival of former Gonzaga point guard Elijah Trent, a lightning-fast floor general known for his surgical court vision and clutch gene. “Trent is the heartbeat of this team now,” Rothstein said. “He plays with the kind of tempo that’s been missing since Joel Berry graduated.”
Also drawing attention is 6’10” freshman forward Malik DuBois, a top-five national recruit who’s already turning heads in summer workouts. “He has the length of a center, the footwork of a guard, and the mid-range feel of a seasoned pro,” Rothstein explained. “He’s a one-and-done lottery talent, and he knows it.”
But perhaps most notably, Davis convinced senior wing RJ Davis to return for a final year. “That was the biggest win of the offseason,” Rothstein claimed. “RJ brings experience, leadership, and that Carolina pride. You can’t teach that.”
The Tar Heels’ roster now blends dynamic youth with proven leadership, something they lacked in previous campaigns. Gone are the inconsistent bench rotations and late-game collapses. Davis has leaned into modernizing his system—shifting from traditional post-heavy sets to a more fluid, pace-and-space offense reminiscent of the Golden State Warriors. “You’re going to see a Carolina team that runs, shoots, and suffocates on defense,” Rothstein predicted. “They finally have the personnel to match the pace.”
Beyond the court, Rothstein also noted the locker room culture shift. “There’s a hunger in Chapel Hill that wasn’t there before,” he said. “This isn’t just about talent. It’s about attitude. Davis went after guys who want to win now.”
While ACC rivals like Duke and Miami have also reloaded, Rothstein believes the Tar Heels might be the team to beat. “If the chemistry clicks—and that’s always the wild card—they’ll be cutting down nets in March.”
With high expectations, national buzz, and a roster built for March Madness, the Tar Heels are once again one of college basketball’s most compelling storylines. And if Jon Rothstein is right, Hubert Davis’s masterclass in roster reengineering may just lead to banner number seven in the Dean Dome rafters.
