As UNC fans eagerly await this Saturday’s rivalry showdown with NC State at the Dean Dome, the university announced late on New Year’s Day that the game will tip-off at 8 p.m.

It had been previously listed as “to be announced” since the schedule was released during the offseason.

Although each team suffered a loss in its ACC opener, both were chosen to finish among the top half of the ACC–with the Tar Heels projected to challenge Duke, Virginia and Louisville for the conference crown.

NC State did not make the NCAA Tournament last season, but entered 2016 with a new level of confidence thanks to the addition of a pair of star freshmen.

Point guard Dennis Smith Jr. (19.1 points, 6.2 assists per game) is widely expected to be a top NBA Draft pick this summer thanks to his blinding speed and athletic ability.

There’s also the 7-foot Omer Yurtseven, a native of Turkey who once scored 91 points in a game last season in his home country.

Yurtseven–who is also high on the radar of NBA scouts–was forced to sit out the Wolfpack’s first nine games by the NCAA, but has averaged close to 10 points and five rebounds per game since his return.

These new additions to the UNC-NC State rivalry should help add even more competitive fuel to the fire on Saturday night, as rivalry season kicks off for both schools.

Related Stories
‹
UNC Bullies NC State in Raleigh, Picks Up Second Straight Blowout Win in the Rivalry
UNC head coach Roy Williams has often criticized his team’s defense throughout this season, but on Wednesday the 10th ranked Tar Heels ran into an NC State team with issues that go much deeper. All night long UNC was able to get anything it wanted at the rim, on the way to a 97-73 blowout […]
UNC-NC State Game Postponed to Sunday
Due to the likelihood of dangerous and worsening road conditions, the men’s basketball game between No. 14 UNC and NC State set to be played on Saturday at the Dean Smith Center has been postponed. As a result, the ACC announced that the game will be rescheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m. Governor Roy Cooper declared […]
Jackson, No. 7 Tar Heels Shake Off Slow Start: Beat NC State 80-68
Much of the criticism surrounding the No. 7 UNC men’s basketball team recently has centered on who would be able to help ACC player of the year candidate Brice Johnson when times get tough. Wednesday night in Raleigh, sophomore Justin Jackson showed he might be that guy down the stretch in the Tar Heels’ 80-68 […]
Meeks, No. 5 UNC Use Depth to Defeat Wolfpack
In just his second game back from a bruised knee—and his first time back in the starting lineup—junior forward Kennedy Meeks scored 18 of his 23 points in the second half on Saturday, as the No. 5 UNC men’s basketball team defeated the NC State Wolfpack 67-55 at the Dean Dome. Now at 16-2 this […]
Tar Heels Fall To Wolfpack With Historically Poor Offense
The No. 15 North Carolina men's basketball team couldn't overcome a miserable first half Tuesday night, ultimately falling to rival N.C. State 58-46. The 46 points was the lowest point total for the Tar Heels in Smith Center history.
Roy Williams Wants More Help From Fans In N.C. State Rivalry Rematch
Tuesday night at 8 p.m., the No. 15 North Carolina men’s basketball team, 19-8 overall with a 9-5 mark in the ACC, will square off with its rival from Raleigh, the N.C. State Wolfpack, who come into the contest with a 16-11 record and 7-7 mark in the league.
Paige, Hicks Lead Tar Heels To Wild Rivalry Road Win
The No. 15 North Carolina men's basketball team survived N.C. State, 81-79, Wednesday night at PNC Arena to improve to improve to 13-4 on the season and 3-1 in the ACC.
No. 15 Tar Heels Face Hungry Wolfpack In Hostile PNC Arena
The No. 15 North Carolina men’s basketball team, 12-4 overall and 2-1 in the ACC, hits the road Wednesday night for a 7 p.m. tipoff in PNC Arena against the N.C. State Wolfpack, 12-5 overall and 3-1 in the ACC.
UNC Dominates Inside in Win Over NC State, Avenges Early-Season Loss to Wolfpack
For years, the UNC men’s basketball team has found a formula for success against rival NC State by playing to its advantages inside the paint. That old formula helped the Tar Heels again on Saturday at the Smith Center, as UNC put together an 86-76 victory over the Wolfpack. Sophomore forward Armando Bacot […]
No. 17 UNC Falls Behind Early, Has Five Game Winning Streak vs. NC State Snapped
For the sixth time in the last seven games, the 17th-ranked Tar Heels fell behind by double digits in the first half on Tuesday night at PNC Arena in Raleigh. This time the slow start was too much to overcome as UNC had its five-game win streak against NC State snapped in a 79-76 […]
›