Malone’s Debut: UNC Beats USC 88-70 in Greensboro Exhibition

Key points

• UNC won 88-70, outscoring USC 51-31 in the second half after trailing at halftime.
• It was the first game for UNC head coach Michael Malone, who emphasized using exhibitions to find team identity.
• USC was ranked in the top 25 by multiple outlets, while UNC was unranked in early national polls.
• Jarin Stevenson, the only scholarship returner for UNC, led the Tar Heels in the victory.
• USC was missing key players including five-star recruit Christian Collins and guard KJ Lewis.

Background

Michael Malone was hired as UNC’s 21st head coach in April 2026, replacing Hubert Davis. His staff blends retained assistants with new hires, aiming to balance the program’s legacy with fresh strategies. UNC’s 2026-27 roster, valued at $20 million, relies heavily on portal acquisitions like Terrence Brown and Neo Avdalas, as only three scholarship players returned from the 2025-26 season. In contrast, USC coach Eric Musselman has built a roster with significant depth, including five McDonald’s All-Americans and a top-10 recruiting class, aiming for a bounce-back year after two seasons outside the top 50 in KenPom.

How outlets are covering it

On3 and UNC Athletics focused on the significance of Malone’s first game and the development of his new roster, noting the absence of key players like Cameron Fens due to eligibility issues. USC Athletics emphasized the pedigree of their squad, highlighting the presence of NBA All-Star sons and the return of injured stars like Rodney Rice. Chapelboro.com provided logistical details for fans, noting it was UNC’s first game in Greensboro since 2023. All sources agreed that while USC was favored in rankings, the exhibition served as a crucial testing ground for both programs.

Why it matters

This exhibition sets the tone for UNC’s season under a new coach, testing the chemistry of a largely new roster. For USC, it validates their improved ranking and depth despite missing key players. The result provides early insight into Malone’s defensive schemes and the potential of his transfer-heavy squad before the regular season begins in November.

What to watch

UNC will play two more exhibitions, including against Indiana on October 18 and Charlotte on October 27, before opening the regular season against Western Carolina on November 2. USC will continue its exhibition schedule with games against UC San Diego and San Diego State before facing Milwaukee on November 2.