Story perspectives

UNC Faces BYU in Historic Preseason Showdown

10/25/2025

Summary

Story summary

The North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball team will play the BYU Cougars in a preseason exhibition game on October 24, 2023, at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, starting at 9 p.m. ET.
UNC, ranked 25th, finished last season with a 23-14 record, while BYU, ranked 8th, ended with a 26-10 record and reached the Sweet 16.
Notable players include UNC's Caleb Wilson and BYU's AJ Dybantsa, both projected top picks in the 2026 NBA Draft.
This game marks UNC's first appearance in Utah since 1988, and the elevation may affect player performance.

History

Historical Context

The North Carolina Tar Heels basketball program, established in 1911, gained prominence under coach Dean Smith, who led the team to its first NCAA Championship in 1957. By 1988, the Tar Heels had won six NCAA titles and were recognized for their player development, contributing to the sport's popularity in North Carolina, a state known for its fierce college basketball rivalries.

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Story summary

The North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball team will play the BYU Cougars in a preseason exhibition game on October 24, 2023, at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, starting at 9 p.m. ET.
UNC, ranked 25th, finished last season with a 23-14 record, while BYU, ranked 8th, ended with a 26-10 record and reached the Sweet 16.
Notable players include UNC's Caleb Wilson and BYU's AJ Dybantsa, both projected top picks in the 2026 NBA Draft.
This game marks UNC's first appearance in Utah since 1988, and the elevation may affect player performance.

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