Cole Cloer, a lifelong Tar Heel enthusiast, became the first UNC basketball offer recipient on the 2026 recruiting trail last May. And in early January, the Caldwell Academy (N.C.) forward listed Hubert Davis and his staff among his most active suitors.

Duke played down a man — or two — for most of February and the first two games of March. For the final regular-season game at UNC, the Blue Devils had all players available.