BREAKING JUST NOW: Hubert Davis Tackles UNC Basketball’s Persistent Free-Throw Struggles Amid Winning Streak….
How Hubert Davis is addressing UNC basketball’s free-throw shooting woes North Carolina is winning, defending, and stacking résumé-building victories like a team built for March — yet there’s one uncomfortable moment that keeps showing up again and again. It happens in silence, with the… readfull article 👉
North Carolina men’s basketball continues to look every bit like a team built for March. The Tar Heels are stacking résumé-boosting wins, defending at a high level, and finding ways to close out tough games against quality opponents. Yet, even as the victories pile up, one uncomfortable issue keeps resurfacing in the quietest moments of games: free-throw shooting.
Head coach Hubert Davis has not shied away from the problem. Instead, he has addressed it head-on, emphasizing accountability, focus, and preparation as UNC works to correct a weakness that could loom large in postseason play.
Free throws have a way of magnifying pressure. In packed arenas and tense late-game situations, every miss feels louder than a turnover or a defensive breakdown. For North Carolina, those moments have come often enough to raise concern. Despite strong shooting from the field and disciplined defensive performances, missed opportunities at the line have occasionally allowed opponents to linger longer than expected.
Davis has been clear that free throws are not about talent alone. “They’re about concentration, routine, and confidence,” he has emphasized in recent comments. Rather than drastically changing mechanics midseason, Davis has focused on repetition and mental discipline. Practices now include more situational free-throw work, simulating late-game fatigue and pressure to better prepare players for real-game moments.
Another key aspect of Davis’ approach is leadership. Veteran players are being encouraged to set the tone, both in practice and during games. When younger players step to the line, they are backed by a culture that stresses next-play mentality—miss or make. Davis believes hesitation and fear of failure are just as damaging as poor technique, and he wants his team shooting free throws aggressively, not cautiously.
Despite the struggles, the bigger picture remains positive for UNC. The Tar Heels are winning close games, which in itself speaks to their resilience. Their defense has consistently disrupted opponents, and their rebounding and transition play continue to be major strengths. Davis has pointed out that while free throws are a concern, they are also one of the most fixable problems a team can have.
“We’re not reinventing who we are,” Davis has said. “We’re sharpening something that already exists.” That mindset reflects his confidence in the program and his players. Rather than letting free-throw woes overshadow success, he’s using them as a teaching tool—an area for growth rather than panic.
As March approaches, the margin for error will shrink. Tournament games are often decided at the line, and UNC knows it cannot afford prolonged struggles in that area. Still, with a coach who is calm, direct, and detail-oriented, there is belief within the program that improvement is coming.
For now, North Carolina keeps winning. And as Hubert Davis continues to confront the issue with honesty and urgency, the Tar Heels aim to ensure that free throws become a strength—rather than a lingering question—when the s
takes are highest.