UNC basketball announces loaded 2026-27 non-conference schedule

Longtime rivalries and high-profile neutral-site matchups highlight North Carolina’s 2026-27 men’s basketball non-conference schedule. 

Key dates include a December 15 clash with NC State in Greensboro and a December 19 return to Madison Square Garden to face Kentucky, as part of a slate featuring five programs from last year’s NCAA Tournament.

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The season marks the debut of Michael Malone as the Tar Heels’ head coach. Malone will first take the sidelines on Oct. 9 for a preseason game against USC at First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro.

Following the preseason, Carolina opens the regular season at the Dean E. Smith Center against Western Carolina on Nov. 2. The home schedule includes 10 non-conference games, featuring visits from Georgia, Arkansas and Butler. The Tar Heels will also travel for major contests in Charlotte, Washington, D.C., and Nashville, ending the non-conference stretch with a showdown against Illinois on Jan. 30.

Preseason Games

Oct 9 vs. Southern California in Greensboro, N.C.Oct 18 vs. Indiana in Indianapolis, Ind.Oct 27 vs. Charlotte

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Regular-Season Games

Nov 2 vs. Western CarolinaNov 6 vs. WoffordNov 10 vs. WyomingNov 13 vs. GeorgiaNov 20 vs. MarshallNov 23 vs. MonmouthNov 27 vs. West Virginia in Charlotte (Dick Vitale Invitational)Dec 1 vs. Arkansas (ACC-SEC Challenge)Dec 6 vs. ButlerDec 12 at GeorgetownDec 15 vs. NC State in Greensboro, N.C. (Tobacco Road Classic presented by Old Dominion Freight Line)Dec 19 vs. Kentucky in New York City (CBS Sports Classic)Dec 21 vs. The CitadelJan. 30 vs. Illinois in Nashville, Tenn. (Nashville Hoops Showdown)

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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC basketball announces loaded 2026-27 non-conference schedule

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/unc-basketball-announces-loaded-2026-163541779.html

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Publish date : 2026-08-20 16:35:00

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