UNC Men’s Basketball Kicks Off Season Against Central Arkansas Monday
The University of North Carolina (UNC) Tar Heels men’s basketball team is set to commence their 2025-26 season on Monday, November 6. The game against Central Arkansas will tip off at 7 p.m. and takes place at the renowned Smith Center. This exciting opener will be broadcast live on the ACC Network, featuring commentators Anish Shroff and Chris Spatola.
Season Opener Highlights
- Carolina holds a remarkable record of 103-12 in season-opening games.
- The Tar Heels have achieved 20 straight wins in season openers since the 2004-05 season.
- Last year, they started the season with a victory over Elon, winning 90-76.
Home Game Streak
In addition to their impressive season opener record, the Tar Heels have an unbroken streak in home openers, winning 23 consecutive matches. The last defeat in a home opener occurred against Hampton at the start of the 2001-02 season.
About Central Arkansas
This matchup against Central Arkansas marks the first time the Tar Heels will face the Bears. Last season, Central Arkansas recorded a 9-24 overall record, with a 4-14 tally in the ASUN Conference.
Coaching Connection
John Shulman, Central Arkansas’ head coach, previously served as an assistant on coaching staffs alongside notable coaches at Tennessee Tech and Chattanooga.
Preseason Performance
Prior to their regular season opener, UNC played two preseason games. They narrowly lost to BYU 78-76 on October 24 and later earned a solid 95-53 victory against Winston-Salem State on October 29.
Preseason Expectations
- UNC was picked to finish third in the 18-team Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
- Caleb Wilson made the preseason All-ACC second team as well as the All-Freshman team.
- In the Associated Press preseason poll, UNC is ranked No. 25, marking their 69th season overall being ranked.
Player Recognition
Three Tar Heels earned spots on the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame’s preseason watch lists for their respective positions: Seth Trimble (Jerry West Award), Caleb Wilson (Karl Malone Award), and Henri Veesaar (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award).
Probable Starters
| Number | Name | Position | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Kyan Evans | Guard | Junior |
| 7 | Seth Trimble | Guard | Senior |
| 8 | Caleb Wilson | Forward | Freshman |
| 13 | Henri Veesaar | Center | Redshirt Junior |
| 15 | Jarin Stevenson | Forward | Junior |
New Season Insights
The Tar Heels’ roster features a combination of five returning players and 11 newcomers. Notably, only Seth Trimble played significant minutes last season.
Key Statistics
- UNC returns just 14.0% of its scoring from the previous year.
- They are approaching 500 wins at the Smith Center, with a current record of 489-90.
Looking Ahead
Under the leadership of Coach Hubert Davis, now in his fifth year, the Tar Heels aim to build on last season’s achievements, where they reached the NCAA tournament after finishing 23-14 overall. The upcoming showdown with Central Arkansas will set the tone for the season ahead.
