The UNC men’s basketball team will be heading to Cleveland this weekend to play in the CBS Sports Classic. But their opponent will be different than the Ohio State Buckeyes as initially planed.

The CBS Sports Classic announced in a release Wednesday the matchups for the game would be changed, leaving the Tar Heels now facing the Kentucky Wildcats at 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 19. The four-team event traditionally pits UNC, Kentucky, Ohio State and UCLA against each other at a neutral site. Wednesday’s release said the new matchups would now “more closely align COVID-19 testing protocols between the competing programs and their respective conferences.”

UNC and Ohio State were initially set to tip off at 2 p.m. before CBS changed it to the second featured matchup with a 4:30 p.m. tip.

“This a little unusual to say the least,” UNC head coach Roy Williams said in a release following the change, “but these are unusual times and that goes for college basketball, as well. Our team wants to play in the CBS Sports Classic. Instead of Ohio State, we’ll play Kentucky. Perhaps it would have been better to make a change like this earlier, but the bottom line is we want to play. Kentucky, Ohio State and UCLA all have fantastic programs and we are excited about having the opportunity to play.”

The Tar Heels lead the Wildcats in their head-to-head series 24-16, with Kentucky winning the last matchup in 2018. UNC’s record in the CBS Sports Classic is 4-2.

Saturday’s game will be the first for the UNC men’s basketball program (4-2) in a week, when they beat North Carolina Central 73-67 in Chapel Hill on December 12.

Photo via the Maui Invitational.

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees. You can support local journalism and our mission to serve the community. Contribute today – every single dollar matters.

Related Stories
‹
UNC Men's Basketball to Face Ohio State in Atlanta For CBS Sports Classic
Another key non-conference date for UNC next season has been finalized. The Tar Heels will face Ohio State in the CBS Sports Classic at State Farm Arena in Atlanta on December 20. A tip-off time will be announced later, though UNC’s game is confirmed to be the first of the day’s doubleheader. Mark your calendars […]
UNC Men's Basketball to Play Kentucky in CBS Sports Classic
Two blue bloods will meet again on the hardwood at the CBS Sports Classic this season. The UNC men’s basketball program confirmed it will face off against Kentucky in the 10th iteration of the annual event. Headed to Atlanta for the CBS Sports Classic! 🔗: https://t.co/i55ECeRyLx pic.twitter.com/idhCWHjwyY — Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) August 8, 2023 The […]
UNC Men's Basketball To Face Ohio State in CBS Sports Classic
The Tar Heels will be taking their talents to The World’s Most Famous Arena. The UNC men’s basketball program announced it would play Ohio State as part of the annual CBS Sports Classic this season. The game is scheduled for December 17, and will be played in Madison Square Garden in New York City. Meet […]
Full 2025-26 ACC Schedule Announced for UNC Men's Basketball
Carolina now knows its full 2025-26 season schedule, as the ACC announced the full slate of conference games Tuesday afternoon. Conference schedule is set 🗓️ 🔗 https://t.co/LOJXx1ELdQ pic.twitter.com/ZJ3mNlvJRU — Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) September 9, 2025 The conference schedule begins either December 30 or 31, when UNC hosts Florida State at the Dean Smith Center. […]
Chansky's Notebook: Who Are These Guys?
NC State and UNC are like ships in the night when it comes to ESPN's preseason men's college basketball rankings.
READ: Hubert Davis Talks Pressure at UNC, Caleb Wilson, Luka Bogavac and More
UNC men’s basketball head coach Hubert Davis met with the media for the first time since the end of the 2024-25 season Tuesday at the Dean Smith Center. Davis discussed multiple topics, including pressure to win this season and star freshman Caleb Wilson. Read some of Davis’ answers below, which have been lightly edited for […]
Roy Williams to Receive North Carolina Award for Public Service
Former UNC men’s basketball head coach Roy Williams was named as one of six winners of the North Carolina Award earlier this week. Governor Josh Stein will present the award to Williams and the other five honorees Thursday, November 13 at the historic Grove Park Inn in Asheville. The ceremony is normally held in Raleigh, […]
Chansky's Notebook: Similarities?
Art Chansky compares the situations of UNC head coaches Bill Belichick and Hubert Davis, noting expectations are high for both.
UNC Men's Basketball Finalizes Roster, Jersey Numbers for 2025-26 Season
Head coach Hubert Davis and the UNC men’s basketball program have finalized the team’s roster and jersey numbers ahead of the 2025-26 season. The Tar Heels bring in numerous newcomers between freshmen and transfers after losing all five of their year-end starters from the 2024-25 season. The squad is set ‼️ 🔗 https://t.co/58XUN10ZNl pic.twitter.com/GvWO19lPgH — […]
Chansky's Notebook: Pro Prospects
Former UNC stars R.J. Davis and Caleb Love are both trying to earn their way into the NBA, where the pair have signed two-way contracts.
›