The University of North Carolina’s men’s basketball team will open its preseason slate with a much‑anticipated exhibition matchup against the Southern California Trojans at the Greensboro Coliseum on October 9, 2026, at 7 p.m.
Dubbed ‘The Preseason Premiere,’ the game is sponsored by First Horizon Coliseum and will be the first of two exhibition contests the Tar Heels play before Coach Michael Malone’s debut season officially begins.
Series History and Ticket Details
Although the contest will not affect the all‑time series record, UNC holds an 8‑1 advantage over USC, an edge that dates back to a 2007 meeting when Deon Thompson served as a graduate assistant under the late Roy Williams.
Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on August 14 through the Greensboro Coliseum’s official website, giving fans an early chance to secure seats for what promises to be a high‑energy start to the campaign.
A Road Trip to Indianapolis
Following the Greensboro showdown, the Tar Heels will travel to Indianapolis to face the Hoosiers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on October 18, continuing a rigorous preseason schedule that will test the new‑look roster.
The regular season will also feature a much‑anticipated rivalry game against N.C. State in Greensboro, while the 2027 ACC Tournament is slated to return to the same city from March 12‑16, offering the team a home‑court advantage as it pushes toward conference play.
With a slate that blends early‑season experiments against Power Five opponents and a looming in‑state showdown, UNC is positioning itself for a competitive start under Malone, whose coaching philosophy is already generating buzz among fans and analysts alike.