The Michael Malone era is off to a good start, but the Tar Heels' first real test awaits them on Friday night.
North Carolina welcomes Georgia to the Dean Smith Center, a battle between two unbeaten teams. Both teams aim to build momentum in their first games against Power Four foes.
Georgia enters Friday night's matchup after defeating North Carolina Central, Presbyterian, and Florida Gulf Coast to begin the season. The Bulldogs, led by head coach Mike White, will be making their first road trip of the season.
The Tar Heels have won 21 consecutive games at the Dean E. Smith Center, and they'll look to extend that impressive streak against an SEC opponent that is equally determined to remain unbeaten.
Here's everything you need to know to catch Friday night's action.
How to watch UNC basketball vs. Georgia
- Date: Friday, November 13, 2026
- Time: 7:00 PM ET
- Location: Dean E. Smith Center (Chapel Hill, North Carolina)
- TV Channel: ESPN2
- Streaming: ESPN app (with an eligible TV subscription)
- Announcers: Kevin Brown (play-by-play) and LaPhonso Ellis (analyst)
What to watch for against Georgia
Friday night's matchup will provide an important measuring stick for a UNC team that is still learning how to play together under its new head coach.
One of the biggest areas of concern coming out of Tuesday's victory over Wyoming was rebounding. The Cowboys dominated the offensive glass in the first half, creating numerous second-chance opportunities that kept them within striking distance. Against a more talented Georgia squad, the Tar Heels cannot afford to surrender that many extra possessions.
Fortunately, the Tar Heels received some encouraging contributions from their young players against Wyoming.
Freshman Sayon Keita delivered his best performance of the season, recording 13 points, eight rebounds, and six blocks. His defensive presence could become increasingly important as the Tar Heels begin facing more physical opponents.
Isaiah Denis also enjoyed another breakout performance, scoring a career-high 14 points while connecting on three shots from beyond the arc. Along with Terrence Brown, who also finished with 14 points, Denis helped provide the offensive spark the Tar Heels needed to pull away.
The Tar Heels will also have their hands full with Georgia guard Jeremiah Wilkinson, who has emerged as one of the Bulldogs' primary offensive weapons. Keeping Georgia's backcourt under control will be a major priority for Malone's defense.
With both programs entering the contest undefeated, Friday night presents an opportunity for North Carolina to make an early statement.
The Tar Heels have handled their business through the first three games. Now, it's time to see how they respond when the level of competition rises.
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