The UNC men’s basketball nonconference schedule has been finalized. Here’s who Tar Heels play.

UNC Men’s Basketball Finalizes Nonconference Schedule: Here’s Who the Tar Heels Will Face

The University of North Carolina men’s basketball program has locked in its full nonconference schedule for the upcoming season, setting the stage for several marquee matchups and intriguing early tests.

Head coach Hubert Davis and the Tar Heels will take on a blend of blue-blood showdowns, regional rivalries, and mid-major challenges as they prepare for ACC play. The finalized slate reflects North Carolina’s continued commitment to scheduling some of the nation’s toughest nonconference competition.

Here’s a look at the confirmed opponents and dates:

November 5 – vs. UNC Wilmington (Dean Smith Center)
The Tar Heels open the season at home against UNC Wilmington, a team that has consistently been a contender in the CAA and knocked off several Power Five programs in recent years.

November 10 – vs. Colgate (Dean Smith Center)
Colgate, known for its efficient offense and multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, will travel to Chapel Hill for the first time in program history.

November 14 – vs. Gardner-Webb (Dean Smith Center)
A familiar in-state foe, Gardner-Webb will look to spring an upset similar to the one it nearly pulled off in 2022.

November 20 – Battle 4 Atlantis (Paradise Island, Bahamas)
North Carolina will head to the Bahamas for the prestigious Battle 4 Atlantis tournament, where it will face an opening-round matchup against Michigan. Depending on results, the Tar Heels could also see Villanova, Arizona, or Memphis during the three-game event.

December 3 – vs. Tennessee (Dean Smith Center)
One of the most anticipated games of the nonconference schedule, UNC will host Rick Barnes’ Tennessee Volunteers in a rematch of last season’s physical contest in Knoxville.

December 9 – at Kentucky (Rupp Arena)
The renewal of this blue-blood rivalry will take place in Lexington, marking the Tar Heels’ first trip to Rupp since 2018.

December 16 – vs. UConn (Madison Square Garden, New York)
A neutral-site showdown against the defending national champions will headline North Carolina’s December schedule.

December 21 – vs. Charleston Southern (Dean Smith Center)
Before the holidays, UNC will host Charleston Southern for a tune-up game.

December 29 – vs. Yale (Dean Smith Center)
The Tar Heels close out nonconference play with a matchup against the Ivy League powerhouse, a squad that has proven capable of competing with high-major opponents.

Overall, the schedule balances challenging matchups against top-25 caliber programs with opportunities to build chemistry and test lineups ahead of the ACC gauntlet. With a talented roster headlined by Caleb Wilson, Ian Jackson, and Elliot Cadeau, North Carolina will aim to reestablish itself as a national contender from day one.

Stay tuned for tipoff times and TV designations, which will be announced in the coming weeks.