Nearly seven months after a heartbreaking end to last season, North Carolina basketball is back on the court tonight, Friday, October 9, facing the USC Trojans in a preseason exhibition from the old Greensboro Coliseum at 7 p.m. This isn’t just any game, though; it’s the first live look at the Michael Malone era, and if you know anything about Malone, you know this is a huge deal.
Malone’s Debut: A Championship Mindset Comes to Chapel Hill
North Carolina went out and brought in a winner, hiring Michael Malone back in April. This isn’t some college journeyman; Malone spent 12 years as an NBA head coach, racking up over 510 wins and, oh yeah, winning the 2023 NBA Championship! His adjustment to the college level is the biggest storyline heading into this exhibition. While tonight’s game won’t officially count, it’s our first chance to see how an NBA champion coach with a proven track record transitions to this new challenge. USC, meanwhile, is in its third year under Eric Musselman, who they brought over from Arkansas hoping his SEC success would bring back their early 2020s glory. Musselman has delivered winning records, but only one postseason appearance, a trip to the 2025 CBC quarterfinals. For UNC, last season felt like a deep NCAA Tournament run was on the horizon until Caleb Wilson went down with a season-ending injury before the Duke game. Despite having other stars like Seth Trimble and Jarin Stevenson, that Round of 64 collapse against VCU was brutal, ending a season that held so much promise.
Malone has been busy reloading the Tar Heels’ 2026-27 roster. He’s mixed in experienced Power Four transfers and international big men, while also convincing guys like Stevenson, Jaydon Young, and Isaiah Denis to stick around. He even managed to flip Kevin Thomas from LSU! Maximo Adams stayed put through the coaching change, and Malloy Smith chose to follow in his dad’s footsteps to Chapel Hill. The Greensboro Coliseum is gonna be absolutely buzzing tonight, a sea of Carolina Blue, with a splash of USC red.
The New Frontcourt: UNC’s Make-or-Break Test
The Tar Heels’ key to victory this season, and a major focus for tonight, is simple: producing in the paint. Malone has a deeper roster than last year, but that depth comes with unproven talent at the center spot, the most important post position in college hoops. UNC is likely rolling with a two-man rotation at the 5-spot, featuring Sayon Keita, who played professionally in Spain, and Alexandros Samodurov, who did the same in Greece. They also have 7-footer Cade Bennerman, who didn’t play a game for Northwestern last year. This Friday is huge for Malone to see how his three new centers perform. If these guys can click and dominate down low, this team is off to an incredible start.
First Start, Big Stage: Can Matt Able Step Up?
Another major thing to watch tonight is whether Matt Able thrives in his first collegiate start. In a pretty unconventional move through the transfer portal, North Carolina landed Able from rival NC State. He was a force off the bench for the Wolfpack last year, averaging 8.8 points and 3.4 rebounds in 34 appearances. Now, he gets a golden opportunity to prove he’s a starting-caliber player. We’ve got no idea what Malone’s first official starting five will look like, but you gotta believe Able will be right there in that conversation.
Tonight’s exhibition isn’t just a tune-up; it’s the beginning of a new chapter for UNC basketball under a coach who knows what it takes to win at the highest level. Every play tonight matters as Malone starts to put his championship stamp on this program.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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