Official 2026 NCAA Tournament Thread

[MikelArteta]

I mean it is a better job, that's for sure, but it's not that attractive in 2026, I should've phrased. You used to need to be at one of 8-10 or so programs to consistently win at an elite level....now we have Bama and Auburn making Final 4s

I just don't see him leaving, unless it's for the NBA. Mich's NIL budget is top 5 or so in the sport, and UNC hasn't been willing to spend as much, they've been relying more on the "dream school" thing that doesn't matter anymore with NIL. Really, only Duke is getting guys b/c of "dream school" shyt and they're still paying a LOT in NIL

unc spent 14 mill this year on their roster

lets be real if caleb wilson doesn't get injured unc is prob playing today

 

[42 Monks]

unc spent 14 mill this year on their roster

lets be real if caleb wilson doesn't get injured unc is prob playing today

nah we still lose. that was an all-time coaching loss

 

[MikelArteta]

things might change in this NIL era

even dawn staley mentioned the first thing out of recruits mouth now is how much!!

 

[jetflyinglimousineriding]

Had an easy layup but decided to jump backward into the defender to draw a foul

 

[Silkk]

Uconn is what Houston should be

Niccas should've had ONE the past decade

Last year was the year

 

[Whips-n-Chains]

unc spent 14 mill this year on their roster

lets be real if caleb wilson doesn't get injured unc is prob playing today

I always doubt those figures...I've seen mich spend $10.5 and their roster is significantly better than UNC's...Also, UNC was losing to random ACC teams before the Wilson injury. I doubt they'd have made it past the E8

 

[Whips-n-Chains]

Uconn is what Houston should be

Niccas should've had ONE the past decade

Last year was the year

Houston is the best program without a title. Not sure Sampson can do it. Should've had it last year tbh

 

[aceboon]

Getting the full Solo Ball experience, makes a 3 to push it to 12 and then does nut shyt when they had a 5 on 3 fast break to give life right back

 

[MikelArteta]

I always doubt those figures...I've seen mich spend $10.5 and their roster is significantly better than UNC's...Also, UNC was losing to random ACC teams before the Wilson injury. I doubt they'd have made it past the E8

No team goes undefeated, with trimble and wilson they lost like 4 games

 

[Buckeye Fever]

As much as I hate scUM, it's a better job than UNC in 2026. Huge NIL budget, won't be measured against Duke every year, far less stress. Look at home many coaches turned down UK, the "best job in the country" when Cal bounced.... they whiffed on Hurley, Oats, Drew, etc. and had to settle for Mark Pope's mid ass

UNC has to nail this coaching hire so they don't slide into some kinda IU hoops territory

Gotta hit this hire out of the park because it's definitely resembling IU's fall off

 

[Silkk]

I mean it is a better job, that's for sure, but it's not that attractive in 2026, I should've phrased. You used to need to be at one of 8-10 or so programs to consistently win at an elite level....now we have Bama and Auburn making Final 4s

I just don't see him leaving, unless it's for the NBA. Mich's NIL budget is top 5 or so in the sport, and UNC hasn't been willing to spend as much, they've been relying more on the "dream school" thing that doesn't matter anymore with NIL. Really, only Duke is getting guys b/c of "dream school" shyt and they're still paying a LOT in NIL

Also, Mich is still a really good program, arguably top 10 all time, it's not like he's staying at Nebraska or Ole Miss instead of UNC

I'm not saying he's leaving. He's good there, Will definitely get a raise, and isn't under much pressure like you said. They don't even care about beating Ohio State or MSU in basketball.

But I'm saying if he was starting from scratch with no history at either he would likely take the UNC job just like if Cig was starting from stratch and had his choice between certain schools and Indiana he likely goes elsewhere.

 

[MikelArteta]

Gotta hit this hire out of the park because it's definitely resembling IU's fall off

Dodges bullets I actually think they moved to quick in letting hubert go. I'd have given him another season, no coach is going far when your best player goes down.

See texas tech

 

[Silkk]

things might change in this NIL era

Of course, The money is #1 but if all things are even there then it does. Im sure a bunch of these kids grew up watching and wanting to play at UNC just like they do Duke.

I heard last week that UNC has the #1 class coming in right?

 

[MikelArteta]

screw that trump crap but I do think schools should get like a transfer fee portion of NIL that they have to reinvest in their own NIL

 

[MikelArteta]

Of course, The money is #1 but if all things are even there then it does. Im sure a bunch of these kids grew up watching and wanting to play at UNC just like they do Duke.

I heard last week that UNC has the #1 class coming in right?

in this day and age who cares about recruiting
you can just throw money at top transfers and fill with a top freshman

Like you can pay Flory Bidunga a mill and you have your big man
you can pay freddie dilone v 500k and you have your dynamic guard