The University of North Carolina’s men’s basketball team will open its preseason schedule with a much‑anticipated exhibition against the USC Trojans at the Greensboro Coliseum on October 9, kicking off a series of early‑season tests before the regular season officially begins.
Coach Michael Malone, who took the helm for the Tar Heels this year, will use the two‑game preseason slate to fine‑tune his roster, with the first test coming against the Trojans before the team travels to Indianapolis to meet the Hoosiers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on October 18.
A New Chapter for the Tar Heels
The matchup marks the first meeting between the Tar Heels and the Trojans since 2007, a game UNC won 74‑64, and while the exhibition does not affect the all‑time series, it offers a glimpse of the chemistry that could define the upcoming campaign.
Beyond the exhibition, UNC’s regular‑season agenda includes a much‑heralded rivalry clash with North Carolina State in Greensboro, followed by a return trip to Chapel Hill for a second meeting, while the 2027 ACC Tournament is slated to unfold in the same city from March 12‑16.
Tickets for the Greensboro showdown have been on sale since August 14 through the Greensboro Complex, and the event is being promoted by First Horizon Coliseum, which will host the game under the banner ‘The Preseason Premiere.’
Coverage of the Tar Heels’ preseason activities is being provided by Rodd Baxley of The Fayetteville Observer, a member of the USA TODAY Network, ensuring that fans across the country stay informed about the team’s progress.