On First Take, Stephen A. Smith, along with Seth Greenberg and Joe Fortenbaugh, analyzed the opening round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. The discussion centered on the North Carolina Tar Heels, who experienced a surprising loss to the VCU Rams, and the Duke Blue Devils, who barely secured a victory against the Siena Saints. Stephen A. expressed skepticism about the future of the UNC basketball program as it moves further away from the era led by legendary coach Roy Williams.
The conversation also touched on whether the current coaching tenure under Hubert Davis should continue, and strategies for recruiting talented players. Additionally, the enduring rivalry between Duke and North Carolina was a key topic, highlighting the competitive dynamics at play in college basketball. The panel shared candid opinions about the current state of the teams and what lies ahead for these iconic programs.