UNC Unveils Men’s Basketball Non-Conference Schedule

The defending national champion UNC men’s basketball team released its non-conference schedule for the upcoming season on Friday, with the Tar Heels opening their campaign at the Smith Center on Nov. 10 against Northern Iowa.

UNC is scheduled to play 14 games against non-conference opponents, with seven of those contests at home and the other half coming either on the road or at neutral sites.

In addition to Northern Iowa, the Tar Heels will host Bucknell, Michigan, Tulane, Western Carolina, Wofford and a preseason exhibition against Barton College.

Head coach Roy Williams and company will travel to face Stanford, Davidson and Tennessee on the road.

During the week of Thanksgiving, UNC will participate in the inaugural PK80 Tournament in Portland, Oregon. The 16-team event was created to honor Nike founder Phil Knight.

UNC begins play in the PK80 on Thanksgiving Day against the University of Portland, and will advance to face either Arkansas or Oklahoma depending on the results from the first day.

All teams involved in PK80 are scheduled to play three games regardless of wins and losses, so the Tar Heels could potentially face Connecticut, Georgetown, Oregon or Michigan State as their third–and final–opponent of the tournament.

The conclusion of UNC’s non-conference slate is a battle with Ohio State set for Dec. 23 in New Orleans as part of the CBS Sports Classic.

It will mark the first time the Tar Heels have finished their non-conference games before Christmas.

 

University of North Carolina 2017-18 Non-Conference Schedule

Fri., Oct. 27 vs. Barton College (exhibition game, Smith Center, 7:30 p.m.)

Fri., Nov. 10 vs. Northern Iowa (Smith Center)

Wed., Nov. 15 vs. Bucknell (Smith Center)

Mon., Nov. 20 at Stanford

Thurs., Nov. 23 vs. Portland (PK80 in Portland, Ore.)

Fri., Nov. 24 vs. Arkansas or Oklahoma (PK80 in Portland, Ore.)

Sun., Nov. 26 vs. Connecticut, Georgetown, Michigan State or Oregon (PK80 in Portland, Ore.)

Wed., Nov. 29 vs. Michigan (ACC/Big Ten Challenge, Smith Center)

Fri., Dec. 1 at Davidson (Spectrum Center in Charlotte)

Sun., Dec. 3 vs. Tulane (Smith Center)

Wed., Dec. 6 vs. Western Carolina (Smith Center)

Sun., Dec. 17 at Tennessee

Wed., Dec. 20 vs. Wofford (Smith Center)

Sat., Dec. 23 vs. Ohio State (CBS Sports Classic in New Orleans)

 

Photo via Todd Melet