​UNC basketball’s 2026-27 schedule is complete for its debut season under coach Michael Malone, who has 11 newcomers on the Tar Heels’ roster.The ACC released UNC’s 18-game conference schedule on Wednesday, Sept. 9, so now all that’s needed are tipoff times and TV assignments. Seniors Jarin Stevenson and Jaydon Young, along with sophomore Isaiah Denis, are the lone scholarship returners for the Tar Heels under Malone. Terrence Brown (Utah), Neo Avdalas (Virginia Tech) and Matt Able (N.C. State) were among UNC’s additions via the transfer portal, with international prospects Sayon Keita and Alexandros Samodurov also joining the mix. Maximo Adams headlines the group of incoming freshmen. KEY TRANSFERS AND WHY: Transfers who could define Michael Malone’s first season with UNC basketballMALONE’S COACHING STYLE: Michael Malone’s championship blueprint for UNC basketball, ‘greatest gift’ for Tar HeelsFRONCOURT QUESTIONS?: What Michael Malone sees in UNC basketball’s rebuilt frontcourtHere’s what stands out about UNC’s 2026-27 ACC schedule and a look at the full slate for the Tar Heels. Michael Malone, UNC basketball host Cal at Smith Center to start ACC play The Tar Heels’ first ACC game under Michael Malone will be against Cal on Wednesday, Dec. 30, at the Smith Center. Following UNC’s final game in 2026, the Tar Heels will start 2027 with road games in three of their next four league games. The Heels don’t want to start ACC play with a setback against the Golden Bears, who beat UNC last season in Berkeley.Seth Trimble returns to Smith Center with Louisville in February Seth Trimble, a four-year guard for the Tar Heels who is using a fifth season of eligibility at Louisville, will return to Chapel Hill as a member of the Cardinals on Monday, Feb. 8. Given Trimble’s commitment to UNC and the backing of Malone, along with what Trimble was able to accomplish during his time with the Tar Heels, it’ll likely be a warm welcome at the Smith Center until tipoff. Still, it’s yet another sign of the bizarre world we now live in with college sports.Michael Malone gets welcome to UNC vs Duke rivalry Michael Malone will get his first taste of the UNC-Duke rivalry as a coach on Saturday, Feb. 13, at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Tar Heels will welcome the Blue Devils to the Smith Center for the regular-season finale on Saturday, March 6.UNC basketball has tough closing stretch on ACC schedule There won’t be any coasting to the finish line toward the end of the regular season for Malone’s Tar Heels, who appear to have a brutal stretch in the final four weeks. Following a home game against Louisville (Feb. 8), the Tar Heels hit the road for four of their next five games. Those matchups include at Duke (Feb. 13), at Wake Forest (Feb. 20), at Virginia Tech (Feb. 27) and at Pitt (March 2). And the two home games in that final stretch are against Miami (Feb. 22) and the Blue Devils (March 6), two teams expected to be among the conference’s contenders.UNC basketball sched