North Carolina basketball released its full non-conference schedule, and the path looks rough before ACC play even starts. Coach Michael Malone is not shying away from hard games. He wants his team tested early. The Tar Heels face a mix of big names and rivalry matchups that will define their season before the conference slate begins.
Early Tests Against Top Teams
The season kicks off with three preseason games that do not count toward the record but will test the roster. The team starts in Greensboro against Southern Cal. Then they travel to Indianapolis to face Indiana. The final tune-up is at home against UNC Charlotte. This early grind gives Malone a chance to see how his new pieces fit together. It is a smart move to find flaws now rather than later.
December brings the real heat. On December 1, the Heels play Arkansas in the ACC-SEC Challenge. John Calipari has turned the Razorbacks into a force, taking them to the Sweet Sixteen in his first two years. Even though Arkansas lost some key players to the transfer portal, they have the number one freshman class in the country. Playing them early could be a trap if UNC is not ready.
In-State Drama and Rivalry
Conference realignment has created a strange but exciting matchup on December 15. North Carolina will play NC State in a non-conference game. The game takes place in Greensboro, a neutral spot for both schools. This is a huge deal for fans in the state. Al Hood from the Tar Heel Blog notes that this game is an oddity of the new realignment rules.
The Wolfpack are also dealing with change after Will Wade left for LSU. They are bringing in a new coach. This adds more drama to an already intense rivalry. For UNC guard Matt Able, this game is personal. It will be his first time facing his former team. These emotional stakes often make for the best basketball of the year.
Defensive Hurdles to Clear
The schedule is tough, but the defense must be ready to stop opponents on short yardage. Last season, the defense struggled to get off the field when it mattered most. Per reports, UNC allowed opponents to convert 78 percent of third-and-short situations. That number ranked 127th in the nation. The defense gave up too many first downs when teams faced four yards or less.
Opponents tried fourth downs often because they knew they could get the yard. With 21 fourth down rushing attempts, the team ranked fifth-most in the country. They allowed 16 first downs and one touchdown on those plays. This ranked 134th out of 136 teams. The issue was clear. The defense could not stop teams on short downs. The coach must fix this if the team wants to win big games against Arkansas or Kentucky.
Kentucky arrives on December 19 for the CBS Sports Classic in New York City. Mark Pope is the coach, and he faces pressure after a step back last season. The Wildcats finished 22-14 and earned a seven seed. They survived a first-round game against Santa Clara in overtime but got blown out by Iowa later.
