In a shocking turn of events, the University of North Carolina men’s basketball team, ranked No. 4 nationally, was upset by NC State in the 2024 ACC Tournament final. The Wolfpack, seeded 10th, secured a historic 84–76 victory, marking their first ACC tournament title since 1987 and the first time a team has won five games in five days to claim the championship .
The loss not only dashed UNC’s hopes of a No. 1 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament but also set the stage for a challenging postseason. Despite the setback, the Tar Heels are set to face Duke in their next game, a matchup that promises to be emotionally charged and pivotal for both teams .
Looking ahead, the ACC has released the men’s basketball conference opponents for the 2025–26 season. The schedule includes home-and-away games against traditional rivals, as well as matchups against teams from the SEC in the annual challenge . These games will be crucial for UNC as they aim to rebound from the disappointing end to the previous season and prepare for a strong showing in the next NCAA Tournament.
In summary, while the unexpected loss to NC State has cast a shadow over UNC’s recent achievements, the upcoming games and the new season’s schedule offer opportunities for redemption and growth. The Tar Heels will need to regroup and focus on their upcoming challenges to restore their position among college basketball’s elite.
