UNC-Virginia Tip-Off Moved Up Due to Winter Storm Threat - What You Need to Know
CHAPEL HILL - North Carolina’s upcoming road matchup against Virginia is getting a time change, and it’s not about TV windows or scheduling quirks - it’s the weather. With severe winter conditions in the forecast, UNC announced that Saturday’s game in Charlottesville will tip off at noon instead of the originally scheduled 2 p.m.
The Tar Heels are still set to travel to Virginia on Friday, sticking to their pre-planned itinerary despite the shift. The idea of moving the game up a full day was floated but quickly dismissed.
Why? Timing and fairness.
Carolina just wrapped up a dominant 91-69 win over Notre Dame on Wednesday night, and pulling them into a Friday game would’ve meant sacrificing a critical recovery day. Meanwhile, Virginia has been off since last Saturday.
That kind of imbalance in rest wouldn’t fly - especially not in the heart of ACC play.
There was also a bit of ceremony on the docket for this one. Virginia had planned to honor former head coach Tony Bennett by naming the court at John Paul Jones Arena after him. That tribute has now been pushed to a later date, ensuring the moment gets the attention it deserves without competing with weather logistics.
As for the basketball itself, this is a big one. No.
14 Virginia will be the second-highest-ranked team that No. 22 UNC has faced this season.
The only higher-ranked opponent? No.
10 Michigan State, who handed the Tar Heels a 74-58 loss down in Fort Myers. Saturday’s showdown offers a chance for UNC to show how much they’ve grown since then - and to make a statement against a top-tier ACC rival on the road.
Bundle up, because it’s going to be cold in Charlottesville. But inside the arena, things are about to heat up.