Since 2014, North Carolina has been a staple in this annual neutral-site showcase-a made-for-TV event that traditionally signaled the pivot from college football to college basketball. For over a decade, it’s served as a bridge between seasons, with CBS spotlighting four storied programs in a doubleheader that felt like a December tradition. But in today’s college sports landscape, traditions are getting redefined.
This year’s edition looks a little different. The biggest change?
UCLA is out. With the Bruins now sharing a conference with Ohio State, it no longer made sense to keep them in the mix.
A non-conference game between two Big Ten teams-especially ones likely to meet again later in the season-just doesn’t carry the same juice. Neither side would want to show too much, and with Big Ten play already underway, the timing didn’t help either.
Enter St. John’s.
Rick Pitino’s squad steps in as the new face, and while the Red Storm won’t face North Carolina this year, their presence brings plenty of intrigue. Pitino, who once roamed the sidelines at Kentucky in the '90s, now faces his former program-this time with Mark Pope, one of his former players, coaching the Wildcats. It’s a full-circle moment that’s tailor-made for the spotlight.
Naturally, you’d think that matchup would headline the doubleheader in prime time, right? Not quite.
That’s where the calendar-and the competition-comes into play. With the College Football Playoff hosting three first-round games today and the NFL rolling out a Saturday doubleheader starting at 5 PM, CBS had to get creative.
Just like last year, they’ve shuffled the schedule to avoid going head-to-head with the NFL’s broadcast muscle. That means the marquee matchup-Kentucky vs.
St. John’s-tips off first, hoping to carve out a strong audience before the NFL takes over network TV.
Meanwhile, North Carolina gets the later slot, going up against a playoff game airing on cable.
It’s a smart move, especially considering how rare it is these days to see the Tar Heels on broadcast television. With ESPN holding the ACC’s media rights and often keeping games on cable, UNC’s national exposure has been limited. That changes a bit this year with their road game at Syracuse airing on ABC, but this neutral-site showcase still stands out as one of the few chances to see Carolina on a major network before the heart of conference play.
And for Tar Heel fans, there’s more good news: Seth Trimble is expected to return after missing time with a wrist injury. His presence adds depth and athleticism to a backcourt that’s already finding its rhythm.
So while the format may be evolving, the stakes and storylines remain compelling. Whether you’re in Atlanta soaking up the action-or just tuning in from home-this event still offers a high-profile measuring stick for some of college basketball’s biggest brands.