The UNC and NC State men's basketball teams only played each other once during their 2025-26 seasons, an 82-58 Wolfpack beatdown on February 17, breaking an over-100-year tradition.
Both the Tar Heels and Wolfpack ended their respective campaigns in disappointment. North Carolina collapsed against VCU in its NCAA Tournament opener, while State lost in the First Four to Texas.
On Wednesday, North Carolina and NC State officially announced their December 15 non-conference matchup in Greensboro, which will be played again in 2027.
Pitting head coaches Michael Malone and Justin Gainey against each other for the first time, Malone spoke on how different the Tar Heels-Wolfpack rivalry is compared to anything he experienced in the NBA.
“This is all brand
new to me," Malone said. "I’m coming from 25 years in the NBA and you did not have these type of rivalries very often. When I did my research, trying to figure out what this rivalry meant to the ACC, to these two fine schools, they played twice a year since 1919. Last year was the first time since 1919 they didn’t have a home-and-home. A huge shoutout and a huge thank you to all the people that made this possible because I think the fans have spoken. The administrators have spoken, the legislators have spoken that this game matters. This game means something to everybody in this room.”
UNC head coach Michael Malone on learning more about the NC State rivalry:
— Travon Miles (@TrayABC11) August 19, 2026
“This is all brand new to me. I’m coming from 25 years in the NBA, and you didn’t not have these type of rivalries very often.” pic.twitter.com/Ae3c4yKR0x
Malone spent 12 seasons as an NBA head coach, highlighted by his 2023 NBA Championship with the Denver Nuggets. The Western Conference is loaded, but Malone is correct: there aren't any NBA rivalries that come close to UNC-NC State.
North Carolina will almost certainly play this December clash from a revenge standpoint, looking to avenge February's blowout loss. The Tar Heels will also host the Wolfpack sometime in early 2027, but they won't travel to Raleigh.
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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: Michael Malone talks the UNC-NC State men's basketball rivalry
