UNC Basketball: Michael Malone Previews Season at ACC Tipoff
- University of North Carolina men’s basketball head coach Michael Malone, senior Jarin Stevenson, and sophomore Neo Avdalas previewed the upcoming season on Wednesday at the Hilton Uptown in...
- During Wednesday's event in Charlotte, the North Carolina representatives participated in a packed schedule of media engagements.
- The Tar Heels enter the season returning one starter in Stevenson and five lettermen from last year's squad.
University of North Carolina men’s basketball head coach Michael Malone, senior Jarin Stevenson, and sophomore Neo Avdalas previewed the upcoming season on Wednesday at the Hilton Uptown in Charlotte during the Atlantic Coast Conference annual media day known as ACC Tipoff, goheels.com reported. The Tar Heels open their preseason slate against Southern California on Friday at 7 p.m. at First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro, with television coverage provided by the ACC Network.
ACC Tipoff Media Day Appearances in Charlotte
During Wednesday’s event in Charlotte, the North Carolina representatives participated in a packed schedule of media engagements. According to goheels.com, the group took part in radio and television interviews, a formal press conference, breakout interview sessions, photo shoots, and live appearances on the ACC Network set.
Tar Heels Return One Starter for New Season
The Tar Heels enter the season returning one starter in Stevenson and five lettermen from last year’s squad. Goheels.com reported that last year’s team finished with a 24-9 record, securing the program’s 66th 20-win season—the second-highest total in college basketball history—while tying for fourth place in the ACC with a 12-6 league mark. The roster welcomes eleven newcomers for the 2026-2027 campaign alongside the returning core, which helped secure the program’s 55th NCAA Tournament bid and a perfect 18-0 record at home last season.
UNC Prepares for Regular Season Opener
Following Friday’s exhibition against Southern California in Greensboro, North Carolina travels to play Indiana in Indianapolis on Sunday, October 18, 2026. Goheels.com noted that the Tar Heels will then conclude their preseason schedule at home on October 27, 2026, against Charlotte. The official start of the regular season arrives on Monday, November 2, 2026, when UNC hosts Western Carolina in the Smith Center. The conference will announce the Preseason All-ACC teams and preseason poll on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, following media voting at this week's ACC Tipoff event.