North Carolina opens the 2024-25 season on Nov. 4 at home against Elon before an early-season test against Kansas at Allen Fieldhouse on Nov. 8. The UNC early-season matchup against the Jayhawks is part of a loaded nonconference slate heading into Year 4 of the Hubert Davis era.
The Tar Heels head to The Aloha State during Thanksgiving week for the Maui Invitational. UNC opens up the marquee MTE against Dayton and could have a date with two-time reigning national champion UConn if both squads run the table and reach the championship game.
UNC is coming off a loss in the Sweet 16 to Alabama and will have to replace three starters — including one of the most accomplished players in program history, Armando Bacot. The Tar Heels return All-American guard RJ Davis, who enters the season as one of the favorites to win Naismith Player of the Year.
Five-star recruits Ian Jackson and Drake Powell are expected to play a significant role in the rotation due to Harrison Ingram and Cormac Ryan departing the program. Sophomore guard Elliot Cadeau, a former five-star in the 2023 recruiting cycle, is also expected to open the season as a starter in the backcourt alongside Davis.
North Carolina is ranked No. 4 in Gary Parrish’s latest Top 25 and 1 . Here are the top five North Carolina nonconference games to watch this season.
1. Alabama
When: Dec. 4, 2024 Where: Dean E. Smith Center (Chapel Hill, North Carolina)
There is nothing like a good rematch, and if this game is anything like what happened at the Sweet 16, it should be a treat for college basketball fans. The Crimson Tide should open the season as one of the top teams in the country due to the return of All-American guard Mark Sears. Alabama loaded up in the transfer portal by landing former Rutgers big man Clifford Omoruyi, who is expected to anchor the defense in the middle. The best part? This game will be played in Chapel Hill instead of a neutral site.
2. at Kansas
When: Nov. 8, 2024 Where: Allen Fieldhouse (Lawrence, Kansas)
Kansas enters the season as the likely preseason No. 1 ranked team and checked in as Gary Parrish’s top-ranked team in the latest Top 25 and 1. Expectations for Bill Self and company will be as high as ever after a disappointing exit in the NCAA Tournament last spring. After falling to Gonzaga in the second round, Kansas loaded up in the transfer portal by landing former Wisconsin and St. John’s forward AJ Storr, Alabama forward Rylan Griffen and South Dakota State guard Zeke Mayo alongside blue-chip incoming freshmen Flory Bidunga (No. 14 overall) and Rakease Passmore (No. 49 overall). The Jayhawks also return veterans Hunter Dickinson, KJ Adams Jr. and Dajuan Harris Jr.
3. UCLA (CBS Sports Classic)
When: Dec. 21, 2024 Where: Madison Square Garden (New York)
A battle of college basketball blue bloods will take place during Christmas week at Madison Square Garden in New York. The Bruins are coming off a disappointing season that saw the program miss out on the NCAA Tournament for the first time in the Mick Cronin era.
The Bruins reloaded by landing Eric Dailey (Oklahoma State), Tyler Bilodeau (Oregon State), Skyy Clark (Louisville) and Kobe Johnson (USC) via the transfer portal. Cronin and company also benefited from Trent Perry flipping his commitment late in the spring from USC to UCLA. This game should offer a test for both sides ahead of conference play.
4. Florida (Jumpman Classic)
When: Dec. 17, 2024 Where: Spectrum Center (Charlotte, North Carolina)
Florida reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time in the Todd Golden era this past spring. The Gators landed former FAU star Alijah Martin and Washington State big man Rueben Chinyelu via the transfer portal to play alongside returners Walter Clayton Jr., Will Richard and Alex Condon.
This will only the third meeting in the 21st century between these programs and the first since 2014, when UNC defeated Florida 75-64. UNC leads the all time series 3-2.
5. Dayton (Maui Invitational)
When: Nov. 25, 2024 Where: Lahaina Civic Center (Maui)
Fresh off its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2017, Dayton will face North Carolina in the opening round of the Maui Invitational. This MTE is considered the crown jewel of the nonconference slate because of the historic competition it provides. If this bracket goes chalk, we could see a final of UNC facing off against two-time reigning national champion UConn.
Other opening games of the Maui Invitational include UConn vs. Memphis, Michigan State vs. Colorado and Iowa State vs. Auburn. UNC will face the winner of Iowa State/Auburn if it defeats Dayton in the opening round of the tournament.
North Carolina’ 2024-25 nonconference schedule
| Mon., Nov. 4 | vs. Elon | Chapel Hill (Smith Center) |
| Fri., Nov. 8 | at Kansas | Lawrence, Kan. (Allen Fieldhouse) |
| Fri., Nov. 15 | vs. American | Chapel Hill (Smith Center) |
| Fri., Nov. 22 | at Hawaii | Manoa, Hawaii |
| Mon., Nov. 25 | Dayton | Maui Invitational | Lahaina, Hawaii (Lahaina Civic Center) |
| Tue., Nov. 26 | Auburn or Iowa State | Maui Invitational | Lahaina, Hawaii (Lahaina Civic Center) |
| Wed., Nov. 27 | TBD | Maui Invitational | Lahaina, Hawaii (Lahaina Civic Center) |
| Wed., Dec. 4 | Alabama | ACC/SEC Challenge | Chapel Hill (Smith Center) |
| Sat., Dec. 14 | La Salle | Chapel Hill (Smith Center) |
| Tue., Dec. 17 | Florida | Jumpman Invitational | Charlotte (Spectrum Center) |
| Sat., Dec. 21 | UCLA | CBS Sports Classic | New York (Madison Square Garden) |
| Sun., Dec. 29 | Campbell | Chapel Hill (Smith Center) |
