Changes are coming for Hubert Davis’ UNC in the 2025-26 NCAA season. Among Davis’ key players from last season’s roster, only Seth Trimble has returned for the North Carolina Tar Heels, who suffered a first-round exit in the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
Davis and his staff went to work this offseason to bolster North Carolina’s lineup, signing six players through the transfer portal and adding three signees via their freshman class. With the new college basketball season fast approaching, here are the five biggest lineup questions facing Davis with his revamped roster at UNC.
5 Biggest Lineup Questions Facing Hubert Davis’ UNC in 2025-26 NCAA Season
1. Who Will Be Hubert Davis’ New Starting Point Guard?
Hubert Davis will have a new starting point guard in the coming season after Elliot Cadeau decided to join the Michigan Wolverines following UNC’s loss to Ole Miss in the first round of this year’s March Madness. Cadeau averaged 9.4 points and a team-high 6.2 assists per game last season in his final year with the Tar Heels.
Davis has filled that void with the arrival of Kyan Evans. He spent two seasons with Colorado State before transferring to North Carolina this offseason. He started 36 games for the Rams in his sophomore year, averaging 10.6 points, 3.1 dimes, and 2.9 boards in the 2024-25 season.
2. Who Will Replace Superstar RJ Davis in the Starting Shooting Guard Position?
RJ Davis played five seasons at North Carolina and was one of Hubert Davis’ most trusted players before his departure. He averaged 15.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists through 175 games in his UNC career. Davis led the Tar Heels to the national championship game in the 2022 NCAA Tournament and won the 2024 ACC Player of the Year award. He recently signed a contract with the LA Lakers.
RJ Davis walks off the court for the final time in front of the North Carolina crowd 🥺
What a collegiate career 👏 pic.twitter.com/882pw7h5tj
— ACC Network (@accnetwork) March 9, 2025
Seth Trimble is expected to replace RJ Davis in UNC’s starting five next season. He posted career-best numbers in scoring and rebounding last season, averaging 11.6 points and 5.0 boards in his junior year with the Tar Heels.
3. Who Will Be UNC’s Future Starter in the Small Forward Position?
Hubert Davis lost one of his key players this offseason when Drake Powell decided to join the NBA. Powell flourished in his rookie year with the Tar Heels, averaging 7.4 points and 3.4 rebounds through 37 games in the 2024-25 campaign.
One guy who could fill Powell’s previous spot in Davis’ lineup is Luka Bogavac, who played four years in the Adriatic Basketball Association before transferring to UNC. He posted impressive numbers in his final season with SC Derby, averaging 14.9 points, 3.6 boards, and 2.3 assists.
4. Who Will Be North Carolina’s New Starting Power Forward?
Jae’Lyn Withers made 20 starts in his final year of eligibility for North Carolina last season, earning the trust of head coach Hubert Davis in the 2024-25 campaign. He averaged 6.5 points and 4.5 rebounds through 37 games.
Davis may look to go with incoming freshman Caleb Wilson as his next starting power forward. The five-star prospect drew scholarship offers from 27 schools before choosing North Carolina. The 6-foot-9 star led Holy Innocents Episcopal School to the Georgia private school title last year.
5. Who Will Be UNC’s Next Starting Center After Ven-Allen Lubin?
Ven-Allen Lubin shocked North Carolina fans when he announced his transfer to the Tar Heels’ rivals, NC State, this offseason. Lubin was a key piece for Hubert Davis last season, averaging 8.7 points and 5.5 rebounds per contest.
Davis could opt for Henri Veesaar to be his new starting big man for UNC’s season opener against Central Arkansas. The Estonian center averaged 9.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game last season for Arizona before joining North Carolina through the transfer portal.
KEEP READING: Analyst Claims North Carolina’s SEC Move Could Be a Costly Gamble for Hubert Davis’ Squad
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