When the light goes green on the 2025-26 college basketball season, North Carolina plans to go with an all-gas approach to eliminate a recent history of starting slow.

Expect the No. 25 Tar Heels to be fully attentive when their schedule begins with a Nov. 3 game against Central Arkansas in Chapel Hill, N.C. The motivation and message from North Carolina coach Hubert Davis are definitely there.

"I've picked that up and noticed that this is a very competitive group," Davis said. "It's a team that I don't have to poke and prod to get after it."

This matchup likely will conjure memories of the Chicago Bulls' glory days because of alums who played for that NBA team. Legends Michael Jordan (North Carolina) and Scottie Pippen (Central Arkansas) were groomed with their respective college teams

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