With UNC playing three very public exhibition games, and the first game coming almost a month ago, it’s unreal to think that tonight is actually the start of the season.
It is, though, and tonight marks the beginning of a new era for UNC Basketball. Michael Malone will trot out and take his position on the bench for the first time in a game that counts for Carolina, and he’ll do so with an almost completely new roster of players out on the floor. Along with losing Hubert Davis, Carolina lost just
about everyone who suited up for the team last year thanks to either transfers or the NBA. Only two players are returning; the rest is a make up of freshmen and transfers.
One person Carolina is still hoping will eventually suit up is Cameron Fens but his fifth year of eligibility is still caught up in the courts, and unfortunately he’s just had the bad luck of having his case in the wrong state while others — including former UNC player and current Ben and Jerry’s owner Seth Trimble — will be able to play as the season tips. Fens not playing is a huge hole for the Tar Heels, as one thing that has become abundantly clear is that Carolina just doesn’t have the rebounding depth.
Still, Malone and the Tar Heels have three games’ worth of exhibitions to study in order to figure out a way to adjust, and their schedule to open the season should also allow for that. UNC isn’t going to leave the state of North Carolina until halfway into December, with only one game actually way from the Smith Center. The friendly confines and schedule should allow some time for the team to get comfortable and get into a routine whether Fens plays or not.
It’s not often you get a chance to see a new era begin, and hopefully with the news this week of a significant commitment to next year’s Tar Heels, it’s the beginning of a long one. If you aren’t going to be in the Smith Center tonight to see it all start, here’s how you can catch the action:
- Time: 7 PM ET
- Location: Roy Williams Court at the Dean E. Smith Center — Chapel Hill, NC
- TV: ACC Network — Jay Alter will handle play-by-play, while Cory Alexander will be doing color.
- Radio: Tar Heel Sports Network with Jones Angell, Tyler Hansbrough or Tyler Zeller, and Adam Lucas. Here’s a list of affiliates airing the THSN broadcast. You can also listen to them on GoHeels.com, The Varsity Network, Tune In. On Sirius XM it will be on Channel 258
- Streaming: Watch ESPN will have the game — you’ll need to either sign in with cable or ESPN Unlimited to watch.
- Line: UNC – 22.5, -8000
