UNC basketball suffers worst loss vs. NC State in 60+ years
While UNC-Duke takes the cake in terms of ACC basketball rivalries, UNC-NC State is a pretty close second. Depending on which North Carolina fan you ask, Tar Heels-Wolfpack isn't a rivalry, due to the historic one-sidedness.
Tuesday night's game was extremely one-sided, too. with NC State handling the Tar Heels in an 82-58 obliteration. The Wolfpack (19-8, 10-4 ACC) outshot, out-hustled and out-executed North Carolina (20-6, 8-5 ACC) in virtually every aspect, with the lone exception rebounding (40-38 UNC).
The Tar Heels lead NC State all-time, 168-82, but Tuesday night is a piece of history they'll want to quickly erase. UNC's 24-point loss to the Wolfpack is its largest since 1962, when they lost by 28.
North Carolina made just five of its 33 perimeter attempts, amounting to an ice-cold 15 percent. The Tar Heels took poor care of the basketball, turning it over 12 times.
On a night where UNC needed significant contributions from everyone, only Zayden High and Jarin Stevenson (13 points each) scored in double-figures.
NC State's 24-point win over North Carolina is its largest win over the Tar Heels since 1962 (won by 28).
— Bryan Ives (@awaytoworthy) February 18, 2026
Oddly enough, North Carolina won't match up with State again this season. There's a possibility for an ACC Tournament clash, which every college basketball fan wants to see for the sheer fireworks alone, but the Pack otherwise have bragging rights for a whole year.
The Tar Heels won both matchups a season ago: 97-73 in Chapel Hill, preceded by a 63-61 victory in Raleigh. With State now heading in the right direction under new head coach Will Wade, expect to see future matchups turn into a heated rivalry.
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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC's Tuesday loss to NC State its worst since 28-point defeat in 1962
Bayern Munich ‘unlikely to pursue’ Nicolas Jackson transfer — report
With much fanfare and even bigger drama, Nicolas Jackson joined Bayern Munich on loan in the summer, with Bayern paying around €15m just in loan fees and also negotiating an additional €65m clause to make his signing permanent. Pretty good wheeling and dealing by Chelsea, no?
Alas, that clause soon turned out to be a conditional one, predicated on Jackson essentially unseating Harry Kane as their number one striker. (The exact conditions remain unconfirmed, but are understood to be around 40 appearances of at least 45 minutes each, across all competitions. Jackson’s currently on eight (8) such appearances, from 22 all told, with five goals scored.)
So unless something drastically changes, Bayern will not trigger their obligation. And according to The Times, they are also “unlikely to pursue a separate permanent deal”, even if Chelsea would presumably be open to one. While Jackson’s departure was said to have a lot to do with former head coach Enzo Maresca’s preferences, we all know that it’s the sporting directors calling the shots at the end of the day (who also decided to sign João Pedro and Liam Delap after all).
Jackson’s said to also be keeping his options open, obviously, so I suppose there is a non-zero chance that we see him in Chelsea Blue once again — even with Emmanuel Emegha already set to join from RC Strasbourg.
College Football Powerhouse Hype Despite Questionable QB Addition
A top-ranked college football powerhouse is currently riding a wave of unexpected momentum. Despite fan and analyst concerns regarding the new quarterback's performance, the team's overall strength and roster depth are driving significant attention.
Analysts suggest the surrounding talent is compensating for the quarterback struggles, keeping the powerhouse firmly in the national spotlight.