What UNC lost — and gained — in backcourt production

North Carolina was always going to look completely different once it was announced that Hubert Davis would not return as head coach.

As was the case last season, the Tar Heels will bring back only one starter, with Jarin Stevenson returning after new head coach Michael Malone made him a priority in building next year’s roster. Beyond Stevenson, only Isaiah Denis and Jaydon Young are back; everyone else is gone.

The entire starting backcourt has turned over as well. The good news for North Carolina is that Malone has brought in enough production to replace it — and, based on the numbers, the newcomers may even outperform their predecessors.

Here’s a look at who’s gone, who’s coming in and how the outgoing and incoming production stacks up.

Outgoing players

Mar 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Seth Trimble (7) celebrates after a three point basket against the Clemson Tigers during the first half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

Derek Dixon (transfer to Arizona)

Dixon appeared in all 33 games and started North Carolina’s final 16 as the point guard, averaging 22.3 minutes.
He averaged 6.5 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.4 steals, 0.9 fouls and 1.2 turnovers per game.
Dixon shot 36.5% from the field, 39.7% from 3-point range (50-for-126) and 81.8% from the free-throw line.

Seth Trimble (out of eligibility)

Trimble appeared in 24 of 33 games and started all 24 games that he played last season, averaging 32.5 minutes per game.
- He missed nine games due to a wrist injury.
Trimble averaged 14 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 0.2 blocks, 1.3 steals, 2.0 fouls and 1.4 turnovers per game.
Trimble shot 47.1% from the field, 28.6% from three (18-for-63) and 66.7% from the free throw line.

Luka Bogavac (transfer to Oklahoma State)

Bogavac appeared in all 33 games and made 21 starts, averaging 24.3 minutes.
He averaged 9.8 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 0.4 steals, 1.3 fouls and 1.2 turnovers per game.
Bogavac shot 40.2% from the field, 34.9% from 3-point range (52-for-149) and 73.6% from the free-throw line.

Incoming transfers

Terrence Brown

Terrence Brown played and started in all 32 of Utah’s games last season, averaging 31.5 minutes.
He averaged 19.9 points, 2.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 0.1 blocks, 1.4 steals, 1.6 fouls and 2.4 turnovers per game.
Brown shot 45.3% from the field, 32.7% from 3-point range (32-for-98) and 77.5% from the free-throw line.

Neoklis Avdalas

Avdalas started for Virginia Tech last season and played in all but one game, averaging 31.7 minutes. He missed one game due to illness.
He averaged 12.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 0.5 blocks, 0.6 steals, 1.3 fouls and 2.2 turnovers per game.
Avdalas shot 38.6% from the field, 31.4% from 3-point range (49-for-156) and 67.3% from the free-throw line.

Matt Able

Matt Able played in all 34 of NC State’s games but did not start, averaging 21.7 minutes off the bench.
He averaged 8.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.3 blocks, 1.2 steals, 2.0 fouls and 0.9 turnovers per game.
Able shot 41.6% from the field, 35.5% from 3-point range (49-for-138) and 79.6% from the free-throw line.

Total outgoing production

30.3 points, 8.6 rebounds, 7.9 assists, 0.2 blocks, 2.1 steals, 4.2 fouls and 3.8 turnovers per game.

Total incoming production

40.8 points, 8.9 rebounds, 9.3 assists, 0.9 blocks, 3.2 steals, 4.9 fouls and 5.5 turnovers per game.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC Basketball: backcourt production at a glance for 2026-27

Source link