Almost seven months later, the North Carolina Tar Heels will play another basketball game. On Friday, October 9 at 7 p.m., UNC will be facing the USC Trojans in a preseason exhibition from the old Greensboro Coliseum.
Friday will be fans’ first chance to watch the Michael Malone era in live action. North Carolina hired Malone, a 12-year NBA head coach who won the 2023 Championship, as their coach back in April. Malone has won DX games as an NBA boss and, while it won’t officially count on Friday, it will be a big measure of how he adjusts to his new level.
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The Tar Heels faced off against a USC squad entering Eric Musselman’s third year. The Trojans hired Musselman from Arkansas, with the hope that success in the SEC could restore their program to success in the early 2020s. Musselman led USC to two record wins, but only one appearance this season, to make the 2025 CBC quarterfinals.
UNC appeared on track to make a high-profile NCAA Tournament run in March, led by Caleb Wilson and Henri Veesaar. Wilson suffered a season loss leading up to the Chiefs game and, despite a deep team with other stars like Seth Trimble and Jarin Stevenson, fell in the round of 64 vs. VCU ended North Carolina’s season of promise.
Malone Tar Heels 2026-27 roster with a combination of experienced, Power has re-loaded four transfers and international big men, while Stevenson, Jaydon Young and Isaiah Dionysius can stay. Malone lured Kevin Thomas away from LSU, Maximo Adams stayed despite a coaching change, while Malloy Smith wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps.
The old Greensboro Coliseum will be buzzing on Friday night, filled with Carolina Blue and sometimes USC Red. Watch our lesson below for a preview of the presentation, which includes the key to UNC’s success, something to watch out for, returning leading statistics from each team and UNC’s season schedule.
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The key to victory
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 18: Alexandros Samodurov of Panathinaikos BC AKTOR cheers before the match between Panathinaikos BC AKTOR and KK Partizan at John Cain Arena on September 18, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)
It’s in Oklahoma.
The Tar Heels have more depth compared to last season, but proven talent at the most important position: center.
North Carolina will likely roll with a 2-man rotation at the 5-spot in Sayon Keita and Alexandros Samodurov. Keita played a role in Spain, while Sammodurov did the same in Greece.
UNC also has 7-footer Cade Bennerman, who never played in a Northwestern game last year. Friday’s chance is great for Malone to see how his three new centers play and, if successful, to a big start for the Tar Heels.
Something to watch out for
Mar 12, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; NC State Wolfpack guard Matt Able (3) and Virginia Cavaliers center Devin Tillis (11) battle for the ball in the first half at the Picture Center. Amet Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
If Matt Abus will thrive in his first collegiate start.
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In a move for the league, North Carolina landed a powerful transfer from rival NC State. Power was thriving in 34 appearances off the bench in Raleigh last year, averaging 8.8 points and 3.4 rebounds per game, but now he’s getting a golden chance to start.
Again, there’s no telling what Malone’s first five starts will appear. It may be among these groups that he is ready to prove himself in the majority.
Top statistical returners
March 19, 2026; Greenville, SC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Jarin Stevenson (15) drives against VCU Rams Tracey Jadrian (2) during the second half of the first round game of the 2026 Men’s NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Amet Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
Points
UNC: Jarin Stevenson (8.1)
USC: Rodney Rice (20.3)
He bounced back
UNC: Jarin Stevenson (4.4)
USC: Jacob Cofie (6.8)
it helps
UNC: Jarin Stevenson (0.9)
USC: Rodney Rice (6.0)
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What you need to know
I watch UNC basketball
WHAT? North Carolina Tar Heels vs
WHEN? Friday, October 9 at 7 pm
WHERE? First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro, NC
TV? ACC Network
RADIO? GoHeels.com
LAST CONGRESS? UNC 74, USC 64 March 23, 2007 in East Rutherford, NJ.
SERIES ALL THE TIME? UNC leads, 8-1
An announcement? UNC 85, USC 78
UNC Men’s Basketball 2026-27 schedule
Oct 7, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Michael Malone answers questions from the media during the ACC Tip-Off in Charlotte, NC. Amet Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
October 9: Exhibition vs. USC Trojans at Greensboro, NC (7 pm)
Oct. 18: Exhibition at Indiana Hoosiers in Indianapolis (5 pm)
Oct. 27: Exhibition vs.
November 2: Season Opener vs.
Nov. 6: vs.
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Nov. 10: vs.
Nov. 13: Georgia (7 pm)
Nov. 20: vs.
Nov. 23: vs.
27 Nov : Dick Vitale Invitational vs. West Virginia in Charlotte, NC
December 1: ACC-SEC. Arkansas (7:30 pm) Challenge vs.
December 6: vs.
December 12: at Georgetown (12 pm)
December 15: Tobacco Road Classic vs. NC State at Greensboro (7 pm)
December 19: CBS Sports Classic vs. Kentucky at New York, NY (2:30 pm)
Dec. 21
December 30: Col.
January 2, 2027: at Boston College (4 p.m.)
5: at Louisville (9 p.m.)
9: NC State (12 p.m.)
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13 Jan
16: Stanford (2:15 am)
19 Jan Virgin vs.
23 April
26 Jan.: vs.
Jan. 30: Nashville (Term.) Circles Showdown vs. Illinois at Bridgestone Arena (6 or 6:30 p.m.)
February 2: at Notre-Dame
Feb. 6: vs. Georgia Tech (2:15 p.m.).
8: Louisville (7 p.m.)
13 Feb.
Feb. 20: at Wake Forest (7 p.m.)
22 Feb.
27 Feb.
March 2: at Pitt (9 p.m.)
March 6: Duke vs.
March 9-13: ACC Equestrian Games in Greensboro
This article originally appeared on the Tar Heels thread: UNC basketball vs. USC Trojans game info, streaming