Before you know it, the UNC basketball team will take priority on your televisions and favorite streaming devices. North Carolina is still trying to finalize its roster before the 2026-27 season, which officially starts with November games.
The Tar Heels fared well against marquee competition last year, only losing to Michigan State in non-conference play. UNC upset archrival Duke at home, while also beating a ranked Louisville squad.
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North Carolina just added one marquee opponent to its upcoming non-conference schedule: West Virginia. The Tar Heels and Mountaineers are scheduled to play November 27, one day after Thanksgiving, in the Charlotte-based (N.C.) Dick Vitale Invitational.
UNC played in the Fort Myers Invitational during 2025, beating St. Bonaventure before falling to the Spartans. WVU played the Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend last season, dominating Mercyhurst in a 70-38 final score.
The Mountaineers made a strong case for the NCAA Tournament in March, beating ranked opponents in BYU and Kansas. West Virginia won the College Basketball Crown Tournament, beating Stanford, Creighton and Oklahoma, further proving itself as a major Big Dance snub.
Dickie V is currently battling health issues, but he continues fighting through them. Hopefully, the college basketball legend will be calling this historic matchup.
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North Carolina doesn’t have its schedule finalized, but expect new head coach Michael Malone to add a couple additional marquee opponents. Malone spent 12 seasons as an NBA head coach, leading the Denver Nuggets to their first NBA Championship (2023) in franchise history, so he knows what tough challenges bring to a program.
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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC basketball: Tar Heels to play West Virginia in November
