North Carolina Basketball Previews Season at ACC Tipoff

North Carolina men’s basketball head coach Michael Malone, senior Jarin Stevenson, and sophomore Neo Avdalas previewed the upcoming season on October 7, 2026, at the ACC Tipoff media day in Charlotte. The team enters the 2026–27 campaign with eleven newcomers and only one returning starter following a 24-9 season.

Preseason Expectations Meet Roster Turnover

Last season, Carolina went 24-9, secured a 12-6 record in Atlantic Coast Conference play to tie for fourth place, and went a perfect 18-0 at home. The program also earned its 55th NCAA Tournament bid. Despite that historical success, which included reaching the program’s 66th 20-win season, only five lettermen and single starter Jarin Stevenson return for the new year. Malone, Stevenson, and Avdalas spent Wednesday at the Hilton Uptown participating in radio and television interviews, press conferences, breakout sessions, photo shoots, and live ACC Network appearances to address the transition.

Carolina Opens Preseason Against Southern California on Friday

The immediate calendar leaves little time for adjustments as the preseason opener arrives in two days. Carolina faces Southern California on Friday at 7 p.m. at First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro, with a broadcast on the ACC Network. Nine days after that matchup, the Tar Heels travel to Indianapolis to play Indiana on Sunday, October 18. The preseason slate concludes at home on October 27 against Charlotte. The regular season officially opens on Monday, November 2, at the Smith Center against Western Carolina, marking the official start of the Malone era at Carolina. Prior to those games, the conference will release the Preseason All-ACC teams and preseason media poll on Tuesday, October 13, following this week’s voting at the ACC Tipoff event.