The University of North Carolina Tar Heels have released their 2026‑27 non‑conference men’s basketball schedule, a slate that blends early‑season tests with high‑profile road trips.
Key Non‑Conference Highlights
The season will open on November 2 when the Tar Heels host Western Carolina in Chapel Hill, setting the tone for a campaign that will also feature games in Greensboro, Charlotte, Washington, D.C., New York and Nashville.
First‑year head coach Michael Malone’s debut is scheduled for October 9 against Southern California in Greensboro, followed two weeks later by a home preseason clash with Charlotte on October 27.
A marquee matchup will see the Tar Heels travel to Madison Square Garden on December 19 to face Kentucky, while a December 15 contest against NC State in Greensboro will be part of the traditional Tobacco Road Classic.
The non‑conference slate also includes additional home games against Wofford, Wyoming, Georgia, Marshall, Monmouth, Arkansas, Butler and The Citadel, all slated for the Chapel Hill campus, and road trips that will take the team to Washington, D.C., New York and Nashville, where it will meet Illinois on January 30.
The ACC will announce its conference schedule at a later date, and the university has set a September 2 priority deadline for season‑ticket purchases, underscoring the anticipation among fans.