UNC men’s basketball schedule is complete. Here’s who the Tar Heels play and when

Hubert Davis has had quite the week, from hosting five-star recruit AJ Dybantsa over the weekend and kicking off the Tar Heels’ first official practice of the 2024-25 season on Monday.

Now North Carolina’s path forward is officially set.

The ACC released full schedules for all 18 men’s basketball teams on Tuesday night, revealing UNC’s slate that includes at least 10 games against teams that made last season’s NCAA Tournament.

Many of those will come in the nonconference season, with marquee neutral-site games against Florida and UCLA, a home game against Alabama and a road game at Kansas.

The Tar Heels will be tested with the departure of starters like graduate center Armando Bacot and wing Cormac Ryan. Davis has added transfers Cade Tyson and Ven-Allen Lubin to enhance shooting and bolster the frontcourt, and the Tar Heels also welcome three highly-rated first-year players, including five-star recruits Ian Jackson and Drake Powell.

Powell and Jackson, with the return of All-American and ACC Player of the Year RJ Davis and freshman standout Elliot Cadeau, should establish one of the most dynamic three-guard lineups in the conference.

Here’s a look at UNC’s entire schedule:

UNC’s can’t-miss basketball game

North Carolina and Kansas, two bluebloods of college basketball, will meet in a highly anticipated home-and-home series starting this season.

The first game is set for Nov. 8, at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas, followed by a matchup at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill on November 14, 2025. Historically, the series is tied at 6-6, with Kansas winning the last four encounters — including the 2022 NCAA Championship game.

Both programs boast rich histories, with the Jayhawks leading all-time victories in college basketball. This series will add another chapter to their storied rivalry.

Trap game alert

UNC’s visit to Syracuse on the road in February could be a sneaky trap game. Syracuse’s unpredictable style of play and the JMA Wireless Dome’s difficult environment can catch any team off guard. UNC will need to avoid complacency as it travels to take on the Orange.

Toughest stretch for UNC

The stretch from Jan. 28 to Feb. 15 presents UNC with a formidable challenge, starting with a road game at Pittsburgh. The Panthers and Tar Heels are tied with five wins each through their last 10 games, and playing late at night on ESPN heightens the pressure.

Just four days later, UNC faces Duke and the Crazies at Cameron Indoor Stadium. This rivalry matchup is pivotal, with both teams vying for bragging rights and, likely, critical conference standings.

The Tar Heels host Pittsburgh again on Feb. 8, requiring quick adjustments after their previous encounter. Then, they travel to Clemson on Feb. 10.

The stretch concludes with a trip to Syracuse on Feb. 15. This series of games will test UNC’s resilience, depth, and ability to perform under pressure as the Tar Heels approach the crucial final weeks of the season.

Easiest stretch for UNC

The stretch from Jan. 1 to Jan. 25 is particularly favorable for UNC, featuring matchups against seven teams that failed to make the NCAA Tournament last year. It begins with a game at Louisville, a program in transition, offering a good opportunity for a strong start to the Tar Heels’ year.

Next, UNC travels to Notre Dame, a team that has struggled in recent seasons, making this matchup another potential win. The Tar Heels then return home to face SMU, allowing them to build momentum on their home court.

Following that, they play a potentially challenging game at N.C. State — but that’s the only outlier here. The stretch also includes home games against manageable opponents in Cal and Stanford.

The stretch concludes with a road game at Wake Forest and a home game against Boston College, both teams that UNC has historically performed well against. Overall, this series of games provides a mix of favorable matchups and home advantages, presenting a prime opportunity for UNC to rack up crucial wins as the Tar Heels aim to solidify their standing in the conference.

UNC basketball’s non-conference test

The ACC-SEC Challenge matchup against Alabama on Dec. 4 will serve as a significant non-conference test for UNC basketball. Scheduled for 7:15 p.m. in Chapel Hill and broadcast on ESPN, this game will be one of the hottest tickets of the season. Both teams are coming off strong tournament performances, and the Tar Heels will be looking to avenge their loss to the Crimson Tide in the Sweet 16 last season. Given Alabama’s talent and the wit of head coach Nate Oats, this game will provide a critical measuring stick for UNC as the Tar Heels head into conference play.

When does UNC play Duke?

The annual home-and-home rivalry series begins in Durham this season, when the Blue Devils and Tar Heels face off Feb. 1 at 6:30 p.m. at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Duke and UNC close the regular season at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill on March 8 at 6:30 p.m.

UNC basketball schedule

+ — Maui Invitational, Lahaina, Hawaii

^ — Jumpman Invitational, Spectrum Center, Charlotte

# — CBS Sports Classic, Madison Square Garden, New York

* — ACC game

! — Spectrum Center, Charlotte