Two weeks remain before the North Carolina Tar Heels take the court for their first preseason exhibition, and fans now have a clearer picture of when and where they can watch the team begin preparations for the 2026-27 season.
UNC announced Thursday afternoon the tip-off times and television designations for all three of its upcoming exhibition games, giving supporters an early opportunity to see the Tar Heels in action ahead of the regular-season campaign.
The preseason schedule will begin with a highly anticipated matchup against USC on Oct. 9 at First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina. The exhibition is scheduled to tip off at 7 p.m. ET and will be televised on ACC Network.
The game represents one of the first opportunities for fans to get an extended look at Michael Malone’s Tar Heels as the program enters a new chapter. Malone was hired to lead Carolina after a successful tenure in the NBA, bringing a different coaching background and perspective to one of college basketball’s most prominent programs.
With the regular season still several weeks away, the exhibition contests should provide valuable opportunities for Malone and his coaching staff to evaluate the roster in a competitive environment.
The matchup with USC is particularly significant because it will allow the Tar Heels to begin testing their systems against another Division I opponent. Exhibition games do not count toward the regular-season record, but they can still provide coaches with important information about rotations, defensive communication, offensive execution and individual player development.
For Carolina, there are plenty of questions to answer before the season officially begins.
The Tar Heels are coming off consecutive NCAA Tournament first-round exits, making the upcoming campaign an important one for a program looking to establish consistency under its new leadership. Malone’s arrival has generated considerable attention, and the exhibition schedule gives him an early opportunity to put his approach on display.
The first game in Greensboro should also provide a useful setting for players who are adjusting to new roles. Exhibition basketball allows coaches to experiment with lineups and combinations without the pressure of a regular-season result.
That could be especially important for a roster featuring returning players, newcomers and young talent expected to contribute throughout the season.
After the USC exhibition, Carolina will have two additional preseason opportunities to prepare for the regular season. Having three exhibition games on the schedule gives the coaching staff more time to assess the team before meaningful games begin.
Television coverage is another positive development for Tar Heel fans. ACC Network will provide an opportunity for supporters who cannot attend the games in person to follow the team’s progress from home.
The Oct. 9 matchup also arrives at a useful point in the preseason. With only a few weeks remaining before the start of the regular season, the coaching staff should have a clearer understanding of the roster while still having time to make adjustments.
For players, the exhibitions can be an important chance to establish themselves. Competition for playing time is often intense during the preseason, and strong performances can influence rotation decisions once the regular season arrives.
The Tar Heels will also be looking to build chemistry. New coaching systems require communication and repetition, and live-game situations can reveal areas that may not become obvious during practices.
That makes the three exhibition contests more than simple tune-up games. They are opportunities for Carolina to identify strengths, address weaknesses and establish an identity before the games begin to count.
The USC matchup in Greensboro will therefore serve as an early measuring stick for a program entering a new era.
Carolina fans will be watching closely to see how the team looks under Malone, which players emerge as key contributors and how quickly the Tar Heels begin to develop cohesion.
With the television schedule now confirmed, the countdown to the first exhibition has become even more tangible.
The Tar Heels will take the floor against USC on Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. ET at First Horizon Coliseum, with the game airing on ACC Network.
Two additional exhibitions will follow, giving Carolina three opportunities to sharpen its preparation before the regular-season spotlight arrives.
For a program with high expectations and a new coaching direction, every preseason possession will matter as the Tar Heels work toward the start of the 2026-27 campaign.
Trim repeated preseason points
Lead with the key viewing details
Clarify Malone’s coaching background
