The North Carolina Tar Heels are back in action Tuesday night, hosting Florida State at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill for the ACC opener.
Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2, and while the calendar hasn’t quite flipped to 2026, conference play is officially underway-and UNC is looking to make a statement early.
At 12-1 and ranked No. 12 in both the AP and USA TODAY Coaches Poll, the Tar Heels have built a strong non-conference résumé. They’ve taken down the likes of Kentucky, Kansas, and Ohio State, and now they’ll try to carry that momentum into ACC play. Florida State, meanwhile, enters at 7-6, still trying to find consistency, especially on the offensive end.
A Familiar Matchup, A Favorable History
This isn’t just another ACC opener for Carolina-it’s a matchup that’s been one-sided in recent years. The Tar Heels have won six straight over the Seminoles and haven’t lost to them in Chapel Hill since 2010.
That’s 15 years of home dominance against FSU, and it’s not just a fluke. UNC has historically started ACC play strong, boasting a 58-14 record in conference openers.
Florida State likes to play fast, but they’ve struggled to finish possessions. That’s a dangerous formula against a UNC team that thrives in transition and punishes teams that can’t get back on defense. If the Seminoles can’t clean up their shooting and control the tempo, this could get out of hand early.
How to Watch
- TV: ESPN2
- Stream: Fubo (offers a free trial for new users)
- Radio: Tar Heel Sports Network (97.9 FM locally in Chapel Hill or streaming online via Chapelboro)
Dave O’Brien and Cory Alexander will be on the ESPN2 call, while Jones Angell leads the radio broadcast with former UNC stars Tyler Hansbrough and Tyler Zeller rotating in as analysts. Dave Nathan and Adam Lucas will handle pregame, halftime, and postgame coverage.
Vegas Likes the Heels-Big
The oddsmakers aren’t shy about this one. As of Monday, UNC is a heavy favorite:
- Spread: UNC by 21
- Over/Under: 160.5 points
- Moneyline: UNC (-1800), FSU (+920)
The prediction? A 21-point UNC win, 87-66.
That’s not just confidence-it’s a reflection of how well the Tar Heels have been clicking on both ends of the floor. Even with a break in the schedule, this team has shown the ability to come out sharp, and Florida State’s defensive lapses could open the door for an early UNC scoring run.
UNC’s Season So Far
The Tar Heels have looked balanced and deep through the first two months of the season. Their only loss came in a neutral-site game against Michigan State in Fort Myers, but they’ve bounced back with grit and consistency. Wins over Kentucky (in Lexington), Georgetown, and Ohio State have showcased their ability to win close games and blowouts alike.
Here’s a look at their results so far:
- Notable Wins: Kansas, Kentucky, Ohio State
- Only Loss: Michigan State (neutral site)
- Most Recent Game: A dominant 99-51 win over ECU on Dec. 22
What’s Next
After Florida State, UNC hits the road to face SMU on Jan. 3 before returning to Chapel Hill to host Wake Forest on Jan. 10. The ACC slate is loaded with challenges-Duke (Feb. 7 and March 7), Virginia (Jan. 24), and Miami (Feb. 10) all loom-but this opener is a chance to set the tone.
If the Tar Heels want to contend at the top of the ACC, it starts with defending home court. And against a Florida State team that’s struggled to find its rhythm, Tuesday night could be the perfect launchpad into the grind of conference play.
Bottom line: If UNC brings the energy we’ve seen throughout December, this one could be over early.