University of North Carolina Athletics
Head coach Michael Malone
Photo by: ACC
Men’s Basketball Wraps Up ACC Tipoff Appearance
October 7, 2026 | Men's Basketball
CHARLOTTE—With North Carolina's preseason opener looming in just two days, new Tar Heel head coach Michael Malone, senior Jarin Stevenson and sophomore Neo Avdalas previewed the season on Wednesday at the Hilton Uptown in Charlotte at ACC Tipoff, the conference's annual media day.
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Carolina will play Southern California on Friday at 7 p.m. in Greensboro at First Horizon Coliseum. Tickets are available here, and the game will air on the ACC Network.
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Nine days later, UNC will play Indiana in Indianapolis on Sunday October 18 before concluding its preseason slate at home on October 27 against Charlotte. The regular season opener versus Western Carolina, the official start of the Malone era at Carolina, is set for Monday November 2 in the Smith Center.
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On Wednesday, Malone, Stevenson and Avdalas participated in radio and television interviews, a press conference, breakout interview sessions, photo shoots and live appearances on the ACC Network set.
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After voting by the media at ACC Tipoff this week, the conference will announce the Preseason All-ACC teams and preseason poll on Tuesday October 13.
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The Tar Heels return one starter in Stevenson and five lettermen from last year's squad, which went 24-9 and posted their 66th 20-win season, the second-highest total in college basketball history. Eleven newcomers have joined the squad for 2026-27. Carolina tied for fourth place in the Atlantic Coast Conference with a 12-6 league record. UNC earned its 55th NCAA Tournament bid (second-most all-time) and posted a perfect, 18-0 record at home.
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Get more information about purchasing tickets for 2026-27 games in the Smith Center here.
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Stay up to date on the latest Tar Heel men's basketball news on X at @UNC_Basketball and @UNCMBBstats and on Instagram at UNC_Basketball.
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Carolina will play Southern California on Friday at 7 p.m. in Greensboro at First Horizon Coliseum. Tickets are available here, and the game will air on the ACC Network.
Â
Nine days later, UNC will play Indiana in Indianapolis on Sunday October 18 before concluding its preseason slate at home on October 27 against Charlotte. The regular season opener versus Western Carolina, the official start of the Malone era at Carolina, is set for Monday November 2 in the Smith Center.
Â
On Wednesday, Malone, Stevenson and Avdalas participated in radio and television interviews, a press conference, breakout interview sessions, photo shoots and live appearances on the ACC Network set.
Â
After voting by the media at ACC Tipoff this week, the conference will announce the Preseason All-ACC teams and preseason poll on Tuesday October 13.
Â
The Tar Heels return one starter in Stevenson and five lettermen from last year's squad, which went 24-9 and posted their 66th 20-win season, the second-highest total in college basketball history. Eleven newcomers have joined the squad for 2026-27. Carolina tied for fourth place in the Atlantic Coast Conference with a 12-6 league record. UNC earned its 55th NCAA Tournament bid (second-most all-time) and posted a perfect, 18-0 record at home.
Â
Get more information about purchasing tickets for 2026-27 games in the Smith Center here.
Â
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Stay up to date on the latest Tar Heel men's basketball news on X at @UNC_Basketball and @UNCMBBstats and on Instagram at UNC_Basketball.
Times + TV https://t.co/NxvejRHv0X
— Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) October 7, 2026
ACC Tipoff âś… https://t.co/wZxUZzdjBY
— Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) October 7, 2026
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's BasketballWednesday, October 07
Wednesday, October 07
Wednesday, October 07
Wednesday, October 07