First look: UNC practices before first round NCAA Tournament game against VCU
By Robert Willett
The North Carolina Tar Heels participated in an open practice at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville S.C., Wednesday, March 18, 2026, a day before their first round game in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.
UNC, seeded No. 6 in the South, will face No. 11 seeded VCU Thursday at 6:50 p.m. on TNT.
North Carolina coach Hubert Davis signs autographs for fans following the Tar Heels’ practice on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at Bon Secours Arena in Greenville, S.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson, is greeted by fans as he leads the Tar Heels into Bon Secours Arena for their practice on Wednesday, March 18, 2026 in Greenville, S.C. North Carolina will face VCU in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament without Wilson, as he recovers from a broken thumb. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Six-year-old Dillon Driver of Anderson, S.C. spots his favorite player, North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson, as he watches the Tar Heels’ practice with his brother older Lucas Driver on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at Bon Secours Arena in Greenville, S.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina guard Kyan Evans (0) stretches during the Tar Heels’ practice on Wednesday, March 18, 2026 in Greenville, S.C. North Carolina will face VCU in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina guard Kyan Evans (0) stretches during the Tar Heels’ practice on Wednesday, March 18, 2026 in Greenville, S.C. North Carolina will face VCU in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina players Henri Veesaar (13) and Seth Trimble (7) sign autographs for fans following the Tar Heels’ practice on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at Bon Secours Arena in Greenville, S.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina coach Hubert Davis works with guard Jaydon Young (4) during the Tar Heels’ practice on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at Bon Secours Arena in Greenville, S.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina guard Jonathan Powell (11) breaks to the rim for a dunk during the Tar Heels’ practice on Wednesday, March 18, 2026 in Greenville, S.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina coach Hubert Davis and guard Seth Trimble flash smiles during the Tar Heels’ practice on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at Bon Secours Arena in Greenville, S.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina assistant coaches Jeff Lebo and Pat Sullivan confer as they watch the Tar Heels practice on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at Bon Secours Arena in Greenville, S.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson, out with a broken thumb, smiles as he watches his teammates practice on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at Bon Secours Arena in Greenville, S.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
A North Carolina pep-band member sports a Rameses doll on her saxophone during the Tar Heels’ practice on Wednesday, March 18, 2026 in Greenville, S.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina center Henri Veesaar (13) works his three-point shot during the Tar Heels’ practice on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at Bon Secours Arena in Greenville, S.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina guards Seth Trimble (7) and Kyan Evans (0) workout with teammates as they prepare for their first round NCAA game against VCU, on Wednesday, March 18, 2026 in Greenville, S.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina center Henri Veesaar (13) enters the court for the Tar Heels’ practice on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at Bon Secours Arena in Greenville, S.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson, out with a broken thumb, takes questions from the media in the Tar Heels’ locker room on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at Bon Secours Arena in Greenville, S.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson, out with a broken thumb, takes questions from the media in the Tar Heels’ locker room on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at Bon Secours Arena in Greenville, S.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
This story was originally published March 18, 2026 at 7:16 PM.
