With two preseason games already down, the UNC men's basketball team has one final tune-up before games start counting.
On Tuesday, October 27 at 7:30 p.m., North Carolina hosts Charlotte inside the Dean Dome. This matchup will be Tar Heel Nation's first chance to watch live game action in Chapel Hill this season, plus it features the return of 2005 National Champion Wes Miller, a fan favorite during his playing career at UNC (2003-07).
Now Charlotte's head coach, Miller spent his past five seasons leading Cincinnati, finishing with a winning record each year but lacking an NCAA Tournament appearance. Miller's time in southwest Ohio follows an extremely successful run at UNC-Greensboro, where he became the program's all-time winningest coach and
made the NCAA Tournament twice.
North Carolina is thrilled to have longtime NBA boss Michael Malone as its new head coach. Winning over 500 games across his 12 seasons as a professional head coach, most notably his 2023 NBA Championship with the Denver Nuggets, Malone brings needed new blood to a historic Tar Heels program. Malone quickly proved himself as an expert collegiate recruit, while his debut vs. USC left social media buzzing.
UNC didn't fare as well in its second preseason matchup, falling 76-58 to Indiana in the Hoosier State. North Carolina shot fairly evenly compared to Indiana, but bench points and a rebounding disparity loomed large.
As you prepare for Tuesday's preseason finale, whether you're attending, watching on TV, your favorite streaming device or listening via radio, here's several things you should be paying attention to.
Game and Broadcast Details
- Date & Time: Tuesday, October 27, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. ET
- Venue: Dean E. Smith Center (Chapel Hill, NC)
- Streaming / TV: ACC Network Extra (ACCNX)
Which preseason version of the Tar Heels will we see?
For a team with several new players, UNC wowed fans who tuned into the October 9 preseason opener in Greensboro. North Carolina upset USC, 88-70, behind four double-digit scorers and strong second-half defense.
The Tar Heels didn't fare as well against Indiana, losing 76-58 on Oct. 18 in Indianapolis. UNC struggled defending the 3-pointer, while Sayon Keita didn't get much help down low.
North Carolina should win tomorrow, but it'll be interesting to see which preseason team we get.
How much help Sayon Keita gets down low
Keita is quickly proving to be one of Malone's top offseason additions. The former FC Barcelona center delivered a loud introduction vs. USC, stealing the basketball and racing towards the basket for a slam dunk, then nearly recorded a double-double with 12 points and nine rebounds at Indiana.
Against the Trojans in Greensboro, Keita got big help from Jarin Stevenson, the senior Chapel Hill native who netted a career-high 25 points. Against the Hoosiers in their home state, Keita received very little help from his teammates.
The Tar Heels also have Greek big man Alexandros Samodurov, but he plays more offensively on the perimeter. Northwestern transfer Cade Bennerman has yet to see court time, though he's another imposing center option at 7-foot.
Will Terrence Brown get it going in the scoring department?
Brown averaged nearly 20 points per game at Utah last season. Through two preseason games at UNC, Brown has 12 points.
Granted, Brown is finding other ways to contribute besides scoring, but you have to wonder if he'll score efficiently on Tuesday. North Carolina will need the senior guard to find his scoring touch come regular season time.
What the reception will be like for Wes Miller
A Greensboro native, Wes Miller spent nearly his entire basketball career in North Carolina. Miller transferred into Chapel Hill after his freshman campaign at James Madison, then quickly proved to be an integral reserve on the Tar Heels' 2005 National Championship team.
When UNC fired Hubert Davis as head coach, Miller's name came up in conversation. There's no doubt Miller would look great again wearing Carolina Blue, but North Carolina made a good decision in looking outside the family.
Now leading a Charlotte program which last made the NCAA Tournament in 2005, Miller should hear several cheers from the Tar Heel crowd on Tuesday night.
What rotations Michael Malone uses
Preseason is the perfect time for coaches to find their best lineups. Malone played 10 guys at Indiana, preceded by 13 vs. USC.
Fans have a general idea of who'll start for North Carolina come regular season play, followed by key guys off the bench.
Will Malone mix anything up on Tuesday night, or go with his rotations from each of UNC's previous two exhibitions?
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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: What to watch for in UNC vs. Charlotte basketball exhibition
