Each day summer passes by, we inch closer to college basketball season. Tar Heel Nation is bursting with excitement for Michael Malone’s first year as head coach, hoping his successful 12 years as an NBA boss translate smoothly to the collegiate game.
North Carolina doesn’t have its full 2026-27 schedule yet, but continues to tease fans by announcing non-conference matchups. Back in June, the Tar Heels announced they’ll play NC State in a non-conference matchup, on Tuesday, December 15 at First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro.
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On Wednesday, this matchup became official. This in-state rivalry clash, UNC and State’s first non-conference game since 1979, will be called the Tobacco Road Classic. Tickets will go on sale Thursday, September 10, with a tip-off time still TBA.
UNC and the Wolfpack will return to the Gate City in 2027-28, playing a second installation of the newly-created Tobacco Road Classic.
North Carolina will host NC State during the ACC portion of its schedule, which still isn’t announced, so why is December’s clash considered non-conference? You can thank the ACC’s new scheduling model.
Fans can except plenty of fireworks for this holiday season matchup. Matt Able, who played an integral role off the Wolfpack’s bench during its 2025-26 season, transferred to Chapel Hill during the 2026 offseason. Ven-Allen Lubin, who transferred to State after his lone season as a Tar Heel, announced his return to Raleigh for one final year.
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Malone will get his first taste of this hatred-fueled rivalry in December, while new Wolfpack head coach Justin Gainey gets his first taste of this rivarly since he played in Raleigh from 1996-2000.
Start making plans to attend or watch this game, because it will almost certainly deliver. With two historic programs under new leadership, this battle will mark a new, exciting chapter in UNC-NC State hoops.
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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC, NC State officially announce December non-conference matchup
