The Michael Malone era at North Carolina officially kicked off, and if Friday night’s preseason debut against USC is any indication, the rest of college basketball needs to take notice. The Tar Heels, with their new NBA Champion coach at the helm, delivered an 88-70 beatdown in Greensboro, N.C., surging in the second half to outscore the Trojans by 20. But the real story? Jarin Stevenson absolutely lit it up.
Malone Era Starts Hot, Stevenson Shines
Malone walked into First Horizon Coliseum to a thunderous welcome from the Gate City crowd, clad in Carolina blue Q-Zips. And his team gave them something to cheer about. While the Tar Heels started slow, they found their rhythm big-time, especially in that dominant second half. The man of the hour was undeniably Jarin Stevenson. He was the only returning starter from last year’s squad, making his performance even more critical. Stevenson dropped a massive 25 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, showcasing exactly why he’s going to be counted on for a ton more this season.
Stevenson was everywhere. We saw improved footwork, which he’d been grinding on all offseason. He was attacking the basket with aggression, hitting four three-pointers, and scoring inside. His rebounding impact was clear with those 10 boards. Coach Malone himself was clearly hyped about it, saying, “Being able to play through (Stevenson) late was great to see. Jarin works his butt off, and I am proud of.” That kind of trust from a new coach, right out of the gate, speaks volumes about Stevenson’s expanded role and potential. This team is still building, but having a foundational piece like Stevenson stepping up like this is huge.
Around the NCAA: Early Looks at Indiana, Duke, and New Mexico
It wasn’t just UNC making noise on the preseason circuit. We saw some other intriguing performances from around the country as teams get ready for the season, which is less than three weeks away. Indiana, for one, looks like they could be a force. Expected to be much improved under second-year coach Darian DeVries, they took down Butler 96-68 in a scrimmage. Duke transfer Darren Harris and Notre Dame transfer Markus Burton each chipped in 13 points, showing off some new talent.
Over at Duke, freshman Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje made his Division I debut and immediately made a case for being the favorite to go No. 1 in the 2028 NBA Draft. The kid absolutely dominated on both ends of the floor and should be starting alongside veteran big man Patrick Ngongba II when the season officially tips off next month. And don’t sleep on Jake Hall from New Mexico, who went off for 31 points in his own action. Even USC’s Alijah Arenas showed some flashes. The college hoops season is almost here, and these early glimpses are just whetting the appetite.
With the first of three preseason games in the books for UNC, there’s still work to do, but that 20-point second half against USC and Stevenson’s explosion gives fans a ton to be excited about. Can Malone keep this momentum rolling into the next two exhibitions? You know everyone’s watching.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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