North Carolina and Georgia are set to reignite a long-dormant rivalry, with a home-and-home basketball series officially on the calendar for 2026 and 2028. The matchup adds a fresh layer of intrigue to the non-conference slate for both programs - and it brings together two teams that are already making noise this season with a combined 18-1 record and top-25 rankings.
The first leg of the series will take place in Chapel Hill, where UNC will host the Bulldogs at the Dean E. Smith Center on Friday, November 13, 2026. Georgia will get its turn at home in either November or December of 2028, with the exact date still to be determined.
Historically, the Tar Heels have had the upper hand in this matchup. They lead the all-time series 13-5 and are a perfect 8-0 against Georgia in Chapel Hill - including three wins at the Smith Center.
The two haven’t faced off since 1998, when UNC pulled out a 65-58 win in the preseason NIT. That game, like many before it, showcased Carolina’s ability to protect home court against the Dawgs.
But while the Heels have dominated the series overall, Georgia has had its moments - and none bigger than the 1983 NCAA Tournament. That year, the Bulldogs stunned a loaded UNC team in the Elite Eight at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, 82-77.
James Banks led the charge for Georgia, taking down a Tar Heel roster stacked with future NBA stars like Michael Jordan, Sam Perkins, and Brad Daugherty. It remains one of the most memorable wins in Georgia basketball history.
A year earlier, another marquee showdown between these two programs featured a pair of North Carolina legends: Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins. In a 1982 clash at the Greensboro Coliseum, Jordan scored 12 points while James Worthy led UNC with 19 in a 66-57 win. Wilkins matched Worthy with 19 of his own, giving fans a glimpse of the star power that would soon take over the NBA.
Now, nearly three decades after their last meeting, this series is set to return - and the timing couldn’t be better. Both teams are thriving in the present, and the scheduling of this home-and-home suggests a mutual desire to raise the bar with meaningful non-conference matchups. For fans, it’s a chance to revisit a rivalry that’s delivered some classic moments - and maybe witness the next one.