This year, the North Carolina Tar Heels are set to play a slate of powerhouse programs as they prepare for their usually highly competitive conference schedule.
Now, fresh off hosting the Arkansas Razorbacks in the ACC/SEC Men's Basketball Challenge, the Heels will face the NC State Wolfpack in a game that, while between two ACC programs, won't actually count toward conference standings.
UNC and NC State are now slated to play on Dec. 15, nearly a month before actual conference play tips off, at Greensboro Coliseum.
Of course, the Tar Heels' biggest in-state rivals are the Duke Blue Devils, but you can never ignore a rivalry game of any capacity, and that includes one against the Wolfpack or the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, who are also part of Tobacco Road.
BREAKING: NC State is set to play UNC at Greensboro Coliseum in a non-conference matchup during the 2026-27 season.
— Cory Smith (@RCorySmith) June 25, 2026
The contract details aren't finalized, but @PackPower247 sources noted the game is set for Dec. 15, following the ACC/SEC Challenge.
✍️: https://t.co/OIFndfbv4z pic.twitter.com/CnxOJ93zKv
Beyond the Razorbacks and (technically) the Wolfpack, the Tar Heels are scheduled to play a slew of dominant teams in early-season matchups. First up, UNC will face the Indiana Hoosiers in a preseason game in the middle of October.
Additionally, Carolina is scheduled to play the Kentucky Wildcats at Madison Square Garden in New York and the Illinois Fighting Illini in Nashville.
Michael Malone building elite pre-conference schedule
UNC head coach Michael Malone, who is rapidly flying toward his first season at the helm in Chapel Hill, continues to add elite opponents to the Tar Heels' non-conference schedule. While NC State is officially in the ACC, the first matchup between the two teams will not be played as a part of either's conference schedule.
Then, once ACC play actually begins, things don't exactly get any easier for the Heels. With home and away games against Duke and the Louisville Cardinals, UNC has to face two of the other top teams in the conference.
North Carolina 2026-27 ACC Opponents
Of course, last season, the Clemson Tigers were the surprise team in the conference, and this year, the Tar Heels won't face them in regular-season play.
- Home & Away: Duke, Louisville
- Home Only: Cal, Georgia Tech, Miami, NC State, SMU, Stanford, Virginia
- Away Only: Boston College, Florida State, Notre Dame, Pitt, Syracuse, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest
- Will Not Play: Clemson
However, even after marching its way through the regular season against all of its non-conference and conference games, Carolina will take on the ACC Tournament, where the Tar Heels could face Clemson, along with any other team in the conference.
Also read: Latest Will Wade drama is something UNC fans won't be surprised by
Despite Malone building a powerful roster in Chapel Hill, the Tar Heels were ranked 25th in the latest way-too-early Top 25 from ESPN, a far cry from a few other ACC members like Duke (No. 2), Louisville (No. 13), Virginia (No. 14), and even Miami (No. 20).
Add us as a preferred source on Google