North Carolina Tar Heels face Navy in their final tune-up before a brutal road stretch. Can Carolina maintain their killer instinct against a not-as-skilled-but-potentially NCAA tournament team? Isaac Schade breaks down the Tar Heels' critical scheduling window, highlighting why this matchup matters more than the rankings suggest. The discussion covers Navy's surprising historical dominance in the all-time series, the Midshipmen's legitimate Patriot League championship credentials, and how UNC's front court of Caleb Wilson and Henri Veesaar is establishing a national reputation. Key topics include Jarin Stevenson's breakout opportunity against Navy's undersized lineup, Carolina's historic assist percentage under Hubert Davis, and the team's adjustment to playing without injured Seth Trimble. Schade also provides recruiting updates on five-star prospect Deron Rippey Jr. and Dylan Mingo, plus statistical analysis showing why this Tar Heels squad is different from previous seasons. Don't miss this comprehensive preview of North Carolina basketball's path through November's toughest stretch.