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.
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