USC, entering Year Three of the Eric Musselman era, marks the first of a 3-game preseason slate for the Tar Heels. UNC will go nine days until playing again, an October 18 road date at Indiana, before hosting Charlotte on October. 27 in its last exhibition.
North Carolina is testing itself in Year One of the Michael Malone era, facing a loaded non-conference schedule with the likes of West Virginia, Arkansas, NC State and Kentucky. UNC opens its regular season on November 2 vs. Western Carolina, playing a home-heavy slate and not leaving North Carolina until its December 12 game at Georgetown.
The Tar Heels only have three returners from their 2025-26 roster: Jarin Stevenson, Isaiah Denis and Jaydon Young. Stevenson will play a large role in his final collegiate season, projected to start at power forward for the team he grew up rooting for. Denis and Young will push for starting minutes in the backcourt, led by transfers Terrence Brown and Matt Able.
USC returns a 20-point scorer in Rodney Rice, but will he be enough this year? The Trojans last made the NCAA Tournament four year ago and, when hiring Musselman away from Arkansas, had the idea he'll make them a postseason regular.
If you're going to Greensboro tonight or already there, have fun and enjoy the start to a new era of UNC basketball. If you're watching this highly-anticipated matchup on TV, your favorite streaming device, listening on the radio or somewhere else, keep reading below for more broadcast information.
What channel is North Carolina vs. USC on Friday? Time, TV schedule, radio
TV Channel: ACC Network
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Radio: GoHeels.com
Website: WatchESPN
Where to watch UNC-USC basketball on live stream
UNC vs. USC prediction, picks
The Tar Heels enter Friday night with one of their deepest rosters in years, thanks to a transfer portal overhaul from Malone. Stevenson is the only returner projected to start, while Brown (Utah), Able (NC State), Neoklis Avdalas (Virginia Tech) and Sayon Keita (FC Barcelona) likely join Stevenson.
USC returns a few guys from last year's squad, but also welcomes in several transfers. Teams with a majority of their roster makeup from the portal can sometimes endure growing pains, which both the Tar Heels and Trojans are bound to do.
In front of what should be a blue-heavy crowd, North Carolina wins a close one to unofficially kick off the Malone era.
Score prediction: UNC 75, USC 68
UNC Men's Basketball 2026-27 schedule
October 9: Exhibition vs. USC Trojans in Greensboro, N.C. (7 p.m.)
Oct. 18: Exhibition at Indiana Hoosiers in Indianapolis (5 p.m.)
Oct. 27: Exhibition vs. Charlotte (7:30 p.m.)
November 2: Season Opener vs. Western Carolina (7 p.m.)
Nov. 6: vs. Wofford (7 p.m.)
Nov. 10: vs. Wyoming (7 p.m.)
Nov. 13: vs. Georgia (7 p.m.)
Nov. 20: vs. Marshall (9 p.m.)
Nov. 23: vs. Monmouth (8 p.m.)
Nov. 27: Dick Vitale Invitational vs. West Virginia in Charlotte, N.C. (7 p.m.)
December 1: ACC-SEC Challenge vs. Arkansas (7:30 p.m.)
Dec. 6: vs. Butler (3 p.m.)
Dec. 12: at Georgetown (12 p.m.)
Dec. 15: Tobacco Road Classic vs. NC State in Greensboro (7 p.m.)
Dec. 19: CBS Sports Clasic vs. Kentucky in New York, N.Y. (2:30 p.m.)
Dec. 21: vs. The Citadel (8 p.m.)
Dec. 30: vs. Cal (4 p.m.)
January 2, 2027: at Boston College (4 p.m.)
Jan. 5: at Louisville (9 p.m.)
Jan. 9: vs. NC State (12 p.m.)
Jan. 13: at Florida State (7 p.m.)
Jan. 16: vs. Stanford (2:15 p.m.)
Jan. 19: vs. Virginia (9 p.m.)
Jan. 23: at Syracuse (12 p.m.)
Jan. 26: vs. SMU (7 p.m.)
Jan. 30: Nashville (Tenn.) Hoops Showdown vs. Illinois in Bridgestone Arena (6 or 6:30 p.m.)
February 2: at Notre Dame
Feb. 6: vs. Georgia Tech (2:15 p.m.)
Feb. 8: vs. Louisville (7 p.m.)
Feb. 13: at Duke (5:30 p.m.)
Feb. 20: at Wake Forest (7 p.m.)
Feb. 22: vs. Miami (7 p.m.)
Feb. 27: at Virginia Tech (7 p.m.)
March 2: at Pitt (9 p.m.)
March 6: vs. Duke (6 or 6:30 p.m.)
March 9-13: ACC Tournament in Greensboro
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: What channel is UNC's October 9 basketball exhibition vs. USC on?
Our editors independently choose our recommendations. Some content is produced with paid support from a third party, however our editorial decisions remain independent. If you buy through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices and availability may change.