Rodd Baxley
@roddbaxley.bsky.social
Sports writer | Basketball Jones | Covering North Carolina for fayobserver.com and the USA TODAY Network | USBWA
Brutal blow for UNC basketball after its win against Kansas
Senior guard Seth Trimble was injured in a Sunday workout, the team announced
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Senior guard Seth Trimble was injured in a Sunday workout, the team announced
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
November 10, 2025 at 1:33 AM
Brutal blow for UNC basketball after its win against Kansas
Senior guard Seth Trimble was injured in a Sunday workout, the team announced
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Senior guard Seth Trimble was injured in a Sunday workout, the team announced
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Sam Martin’s gonna need an ice bath at halftime
November 9, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Sam Martin’s gonna need an ice bath at halftime
Every time I think Taysom Hill has retired, he shows back up
November 9, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Every time I think Taysom Hill has retired, he shows back up
Quick takeaways video from UNC football’s win vs. Stanford
Bill Belichick on an area UNC offense has done a “good job” in during the winning streak: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
On the Tar Heels’ sack party, feat. Melkart Abou-Jaoude and Tyler Thompson: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Bill Belichick on an area UNC offense has done a “good job” in during the winning streak: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
On the Tar Heels’ sack party, feat. Melkart Abou-Jaoude and Tyler Thompson: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
November 9, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Quick takeaways video from UNC football’s win vs. Stanford
Bill Belichick on an area UNC offense has done a “good job” in during the winning streak: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
On the Tar Heels’ sack party, feat. Melkart Abou-Jaoude and Tyler Thompson: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Bill Belichick on an area UNC offense has done a “good job” in during the winning streak: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
On the Tar Heels’ sack party, feat. Melkart Abou-Jaoude and Tyler Thompson: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Pump fake for Rico on that celebration
November 9, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Pump fake for Rico on that celebration
There will be plenty of highlights featuring UNC freshman Caleb Wilson’s dunks and jumpers, but these three clips are what impressed me most vs. Kansas
Rip-away rebound
Hitting the floor for a loose ball
Point-of-attack defense to force 10-second violation
www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Rip-away rebound
Hitting the floor for a loose ball
Point-of-attack defense to force 10-second violation
www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
November 8, 2025 at 4:13 PM
There will be plenty of highlights featuring UNC freshman Caleb Wilson’s dunks and jumpers, but these three clips are what impressed me most vs. Kansas
Rip-away rebound
Hitting the floor for a loose ball
Point-of-attack defense to force 10-second violation
www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Rip-away rebound
Hitting the floor for a loose ball
Point-of-attack defense to force 10-second violation
www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
UNC vs Kansas stories
Caleb Wilson’s motivation: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Kyan Evans’ growth: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Hubert & Roy: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Caleb Wilson’s motivation: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Kyan Evans’ growth: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Hubert & Roy: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
November 8, 2025 at 10:13 AM
UNC vs Kansas stories
Caleb Wilson’s motivation: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Kyan Evans’ growth: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Hubert & Roy: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Caleb Wilson’s motivation: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Kyan Evans’ growth: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Hubert & Roy: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
UNC basketball vs. Kansas in a top-25 matchup at the Smith Center.
Preview, prediction: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Mike’s debut: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Key area for the Tar Heels vs Jayhawks: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Preview, prediction: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Mike’s debut: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Key area for the Tar Heels vs Jayhawks: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
November 7, 2025 at 3:20 PM
UNC basketball vs. Kansas in a top-25 matchup at the Smith Center.
Preview, prediction: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Mike’s debut: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Key area for the Tar Heels vs Jayhawks: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Preview, prediction: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Mike’s debut: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Key area for the Tar Heels vs Jayhawks: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Caleb Wilson is the star of the UNC basketball show entering the Tar Heels' season premiere
Inside look at the freshman’s 18-minute introduction, a “furious” moment that fueled his workouts, and what he’s bringing to Chapel Hill this season
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Inside look at the freshman’s 18-minute introduction, a “furious” moment that fueled his workouts, and what he’s bringing to Chapel Hill this season
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
November 3, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Caleb Wilson is the star of the UNC basketball show entering the Tar Heels' season premiere
Inside look at the freshman’s 18-minute introduction, a “furious” moment that fueled his workouts, and what he’s bringing to Chapel Hill this season
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Inside look at the freshman’s 18-minute introduction, a “furious” moment that fueled his workouts, and what he’s bringing to Chapel Hill this season
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
UNC, Duke will be a part of the 2K 'college basketball experience' in a video game
Full statement from 2K Games, with thoughts from a Tar Heel and two Blue Devils
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Full statement from 2K Games, with thoughts from a Tar Heel and two Blue Devils
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
October 30, 2025 at 10:22 PM
UNC, Duke will be a part of the 2K 'college basketball experience' in a video game
Full statement from 2K Games, with thoughts from a Tar Heel and two Blue Devils
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Full statement from 2K Games, with thoughts from a Tar Heel and two Blue Devils
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Hubert Davis on UNC basketball continuing to schedule exhibition games vs. smaller North Carolina schools. Plus some thoughts from Winston-Salem State coach Corey Thompson and a look at the Tar Heels’ exhibition games since 2003
www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
October 28, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Hubert Davis on UNC basketball continuing to schedule exhibition games vs. smaller North Carolina schools. Plus some thoughts from Winston-Salem State coach Corey Thompson and a look at the Tar Heels’ exhibition games since 2003
www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
13 observations from UNC basketball's exhibition game vs. BYU, including Caleb Wilson's stats in his unofficial debut for the Tar Heels
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Caleb Wilson stats, 13 observations from UNC basketball exhibition game vs BYU
Here are 13 observations from UNC basketball's exhibition loss to BYU in Utah, including Caleb Wilson's stats.
www.fayobserver.com
October 25, 2025 at 4:50 AM
13 observations from UNC basketball's exhibition game vs. BYU, including Caleb Wilson's stats in his unofficial debut for the Tar Heels
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Can confirm: UNC basketball's Luka Bogavac is out for the Tar Heels in their exhibition game at BYU
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
October 25, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Can confirm: UNC basketball's Luka Bogavac is out for the Tar Heels in their exhibition game at BYU
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Great slate of college basketball exhibition games tonight, including UNC vs. BYU in Utah.
The Tar Heels are getting big bucks to play the Cougars.
A look at UNC's agreement with BYU and the Tar Heels' other contracts for nonconference games
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
The Tar Heels are getting big bucks to play the Cougars.
A look at UNC's agreement with BYU and the Tar Heels' other contracts for nonconference games
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
October 24, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Great slate of college basketball exhibition games tonight, including UNC vs. BYU in Utah.
The Tar Heels are getting big bucks to play the Cougars.
A look at UNC's agreement with BYU and the Tar Heels' other contracts for nonconference games
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
The Tar Heels are getting big bucks to play the Cougars.
A look at UNC's agreement with BYU and the Tar Heels' other contracts for nonconference games
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Luka Bogavac cleared by NCAA, UNC 'working' toward getting him on court for Tar Heels
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
October 22, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Luka Bogavac cleared by NCAA, UNC 'working' toward getting him on court for Tar Heels
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
USA TODAY Sports has released its preseason men's basketball coaches poll for the 2025-26 season.
Here's a look at where UNC basketball is among the top 25 teams and where the Tar Heels landed in other polls/rankings
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Here's a look at where UNC basketball is among the top 25 teams and where the Tar Heels landed in other polls/rankings
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
October 22, 2025 at 4:04 PM
USA TODAY Sports has released its preseason men's basketball coaches poll for the 2025-26 season.
Here's a look at where UNC basketball is among the top 25 teams and where the Tar Heels landed in other polls/rankings
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Here's a look at where UNC basketball is among the top 25 teams and where the Tar Heels landed in other polls/rankings
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Derek Dixon has been 'incredible' for UNC basketball in practice, according to the Tar Heels. On the freshman guard from Virginia and why he could play a key role for UNC this season …
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
October 22, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Derek Dixon has been 'incredible' for UNC basketball in practice, according to the Tar Heels. On the freshman guard from Virginia and why he could play a key role for UNC this season …
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
N.C. State basketball game contracts for its nonconference opponents in the 2025-26 season, including details about the series with Ole Miss
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
October 21, 2025 at 2:06 PM
N.C. State basketball game contracts for its nonconference opponents in the 2025-26 season, including details about the series with Ole Miss
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
UNC basketball game contracts for its nonconference opponents in the 2025-26 season, including an eye-popping payout from BYU for the exhibition game in Utah
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
October 21, 2025 at 2:05 PM
UNC basketball game contracts for its nonconference opponents in the 2025-26 season, including an eye-popping payout from BYU for the exhibition game in Utah
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
The fifth and final part of the ACC men's basketball anonymous player poll
Are players for or against NCAA Tournament expansion?
Here's a breakdown of what they said about March Madness
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Are players for or against NCAA Tournament expansion?
Here's a breakdown of what they said about March Madness
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
October 20, 2025 at 1:34 PM
The fifth and final part of the ACC men's basketball anonymous player poll
Are players for or against NCAA Tournament expansion?
Here's a breakdown of what they said about March Madness
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Are players for or against NCAA Tournament expansion?
Here's a breakdown of what they said about March Madness
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Leaving Jersey with a road win … and winning record #KeepPounding
October 19, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Leaving Jersey with a road win … and winning record #KeepPounding
UNC football fumbles chance at Cal on bizarre play in ACC road loss
“We did enough things to win, but we did too many things to lose,” UNC coach Bill Belichick said on the Tar Heel Sports Network. “We have to eliminate the losing.”
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
“We did enough things to win, but we did too many things to lose,” UNC coach Bill Belichick said on the Tar Heel Sports Network. “We have to eliminate the losing.”
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
October 18, 2025 at 7:28 AM
UNC football fumbles chance at Cal on bizarre play in ACC road loss
“We did enough things to win, but we did too many things to lose,” UNC coach Bill Belichick said on the Tar Heel Sports Network. “We have to eliminate the losing.”
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
“We did enough things to win, but we did too many things to lose,” UNC coach Bill Belichick said on the Tar Heel Sports Network. “We have to eliminate the losing.”
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Part II of the ACC men's basketball anonymous player poll
Who is the most underrated player in the ACC this season?
Here's a breakdown of the 27 responses (16 players were named)
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Who is the most underrated player in the ACC this season?
Here's a breakdown of the 27 responses (16 players were named)
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
October 15, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Part II of the ACC men's basketball anonymous player poll
Who is the most underrated player in the ACC this season?
Here's a breakdown of the 27 responses (16 players were named)
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Who is the most underrated player in the ACC this season?
Here's a breakdown of the 27 responses (16 players were named)
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
UNC basketball coach Hubert Davis has a checklist for Jarin Stevenson during practice. Here’s what’s on it and what Stevenson said about joining the Tar Heels after two seasons at Alabama.
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
October 14, 2025 at 9:14 PM
UNC basketball coach Hubert Davis has a checklist for Jarin Stevenson during practice. Here’s what’s on it and what Stevenson said about joining the Tar Heels after two seasons at Alabama.
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Part I of the ACC men’s basketball anonymous player poll
Who will be the best player in the ACC this season?
Here’s a breakdown of the 27 responses
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Who will be the best player in the ACC this season?
Here’s a breakdown of the 27 responses
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
October 14, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Part I of the ACC men’s basketball anonymous player poll
Who will be the best player in the ACC this season?
Here’s a breakdown of the 27 responses
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...
Who will be the best player in the ACC this season?
Here’s a breakdown of the 27 responses
Story: www.fayobserver.com/story/sports...