As part of the 2021 CBS Sports Classic on Saturday Dec. 18, the UNC men’s basketball team will take on one of last year’s national semifinalists in UCLA.

The site for the game will be determined at a later date, but the schedule has the Tar Heels and Bruins playing at 3 p.m. before the day’s other scheduled contest between Ohio State and Kentucky.

This marks the eighth annual CBS Sports Classic, which has included the same four schools — all with storied histories — in each of the eight years.

UNC leads the four schools with an all-time record of 5-2 in the event, including a 75-63 win over Kentucky last season in Cleveland.

The most recent meeting between the Tar Heels and Bruins came during the 2019 CBS Sports Classic in Las Vegas, a game UNC won by a score of 74-64.

This year’s Tar Heels will have a much different look, starting with new head coach Hubert Davis — who took over for the retired Hall-of-Famer Roy Williams back in April.

Day’Ron Sharpe, Garrison Brooks and Walker Kessler all departed the program for either the NBA Draft or transfer opportunities, leaving the Tar Heel frontcourt thinned out.

The return of Armando Bacot — who was testing the NBA Draft process — and the addition of transfers Dawson Garcia, Brady Manek and Justin McKoy will help to make up for those losses up front.

UCLA will bring back star guard Johnny Juzang, after he recently said he was pulling his name out of NBA Draft consideration. Juzang became the darling of the NCAA Tournament this past spring after guiding the No. 11 seed Bruins on an improbable run from the First Four to the Final Four.

 

 

Photo via Associated Press

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