College basketball is back. In Chapel Hill, Tar Heel Nation is very excited to kick off Year One of the Michael Malone era.
Fans will get their first taste of UNC basketball on Friday at 7 p.m., with a preseason matchup vs. the USC Trojans
in Tournament Town (Greensboro, N.C.) This will be a great chance for North Carolina to test out its new-look roster, which only returns Jarin Stevenson, Jaydon Young and Isaiah Denis from last year.The Tar Heels last played USC in 2007, winning 74-64 in the Sweet 16. Since then, UNC has two National Championships and a pair of runner-up finishes, while the Trojans are hoping to snap a 3-year NCAA Tournament drought.
North Carolina is hoping for fresh life with Malone as head coach. UNC ended its once-promising
2025-26 campaign with a 19-point collapse vs. VCU, eventually leading to Hubert Davis getting fired. Sure, Caleb Wilson's absence didn't help, but the Tar Heels had plenty other stars capable of leading them to a Round of 64 win.
North Carolina has more stars on its 2026-27 roster, but mainly from other programs. Terrence Brown (19.9 points per game at Utah) is one of UNC's highest-scoring transfers in recent memory. Neoklis Avdalas (31 starts, 12.1 PPG at Virginia Tech) gives Malone a versatile guy who can play anywhere 1-5, while international guys like Alexandros Samodurov and Sayon Keita will play their first collegiate seasons.
As you prepare for Friday night, whether you're attending or watching on TV, here's five things you should be paying attention to.
How Michael Malone adjusts to the college game
Malone knows how to win at the highest level, amassing 510 wins, three division titles and a Championship across 12 seasons in the NBA.
Friday marks Malone's first time coaching in college, which is increasingly professionalized with NIL and the transfer portal.
There will likely be some early growing pains, but Malone appears well-equipped for anything that comes his way. USC is the first of three exhibition opponents for the Tar Heels, so there's time for Malone to make any necessary adjustments.
How many Tar Heels play
In an exhibition game, coaches typically try to get every one of their guys playing time. North Carolina will play its first "starting lineup," but those aren't necessarily the starters you'll see going forward.
With a UNC-heavy crowd expected in the Coliseum, there's a strong chance Denis, Stevenson and Young see extensive playing time. Malone will also likely test Keita and Samodurov, who'll also get their first taste of college ball.
The Tar Heels carry 16 student-athletes on their 2026-27 roster. Expect to see all 16 of them in Greensboro on Friday night.
If Rodney Rice still packs an explosive scoring punch
Rice, who returns 20.3 points per game to USC, only played six November games last year. The Trojans won all six of those outings, extending their record to 8-0.
Rice injured his shoulder, which led to season-ending surgery. USC slumped to an 18-14 finish, losing their last eight games.
If Rice returns to his late-2025 form, the North Carolina defense is in for a treat. Shoulder injuries are tough for basketball players, but Rice had a whole offseason to rehab his.
What Matt Able looks like in Carolina Blue
By now, Tar Heel Nation has no hard feelings for Matt Able, who transferred from NC State during the offseason. Able almost went pro, thriving at the NBA Combine, but decided to honor his UNC commitment.
Able played all 34 games off the Wolfpack bench last season, averaging 8.8 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. That's borderline starter production and, at North Carolina, Able likely gets that chance.
It's always interesting seeing players transfer between rivals, but an increasingly common occurrence in recent years. How will Able look in that pretty Carolina Blue, as opposed to that bright red down in Raleigh?
How rusty both teams will be
When you go seven months between playing opponents, that first game back is bound to be rusty. There might be some ugly moments Friday night, but also some highlight-reel plays you'll be talking about for days.
The Tar Heels and Trojans also have plenty of offseason additions who'll be playing together for the first time. Some teams gel quickly, while others take time.
Will UNC and USC shake the rust off by halftime? Regardless of the answer, Friday doesn't count for anything, but more so a measuring stick to see each team's offseason progress.
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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: What to watch for in UNC-USC basketball exhibition
