MILWAUKEE—It’s tough to wrap your head around how the Carolina basketball season ended. The Tar Heels lost to Ole Miss 71-64, and now we’re left to sort through our feelings about it.
For Carolina fans, any early exit stings. Celebrating victory is great, but sadness looms over most seasons. Sure, we have a few shining moments—1982, 1993, 2005, 2009, and 2017 stick out—but the rest of the time, defeat feels heavy. In 1998, we watched Ed Cota toss lob passes to Vince Carter only to end up feeling down. Even memorable years like 2008 and 2016 ended with disappointment.
This season wasn’t exactly one for the history books. It had its highs and lows, but it was undeniably complex.
The first half against Ole Miss showed a lack of fight from the Tar Heels. “They dominated us,” admitted Coach Hubert Davis. The team struggled early, echoing past games when they didn’t show up until it was too late. “We were lifeless,” said player Seth Trimble. It reminded fans of those frustrating moments in the season where they fell behind significantly.
But in the second half, the Tar Heels made a push to close the gap. Players like Elliot Cadeau and Jalen Washington lit up the court, giving fans a glimpse of hope. Those thrilling comebacks earlier in the season—including victories over Dayton and UCLA—kept spirits high. Yet, the need to play from behind often led to painful endings, like what we witnessed against Ole Miss.
Adding to the oddity, I noticed a father-son duo cheering for the Tar Heels from the stands in Duke jerseys. That juxtaposition stood out—what a strange mix of loyalty in college sports.
One bright spot was RJ Davis. After five years, he played with heart and dedication. He reflected, “The past five years are the greatest of my life. It’s bigger than basketball.” Those deep relationships and meaningful moments are part of what makes college sports special, even as the game evolves in a new era dominated by NIL deals.
It’s ironic—Carolina’s shooting was a rollercoaster this season, swinging from one of the worst three-point teams to one of the hottest before ending poorly. This season brought mixed feelings, and trying to find clarity is difficult.
Even the weather felt different. When Carolina wins, the mood lightens, and it’s hard to stay frustrated for long. I sometimes wish everyone could find that one thing that turns their day around, even if it’s a little crazy.
Now, we face an offseason filled with uncertainty. RJ is leaving, and the roster will change significantly. The new season will bring fresh faces and maybe some surprises we didn’t see coming. By mid-October, we’ll be ready to cheer again, even if the early days lead to frustrations.
As time passes, someone will likely ask about the 2025 team. And the answer will be complicated, just like this season we’ve just navigated.
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