For the second-consecutive game, the UNC men's basketball team will put its undefeated record on the line. This time, North Carolina faces a significantly tougher opponent.

On Friday at 7 p.m. ET, the Tar Heels welcome a fellow 3-0 Georgia squad to the Dean Dome. The Bulldogs beat NC Central (91-77), Presbyterian College (91-77) and Florida Gulf Coast (80-72) to open their season, showcasing balance with four players averaging double-figures.

North Carolina worried fans in its opener, struggling to pull away from Western Carolina in an 80-72 victory. UNC dominated Wofford in a 109-70 blowout, then used another strong second half to down Wyoming on Tuesday night, 76-63.

Michael Malone is playing a deep bench, consistently trotting 10 players on the court. The Tar Heels have more than one big-time scorer, with four players reaching double-figures in each game. Terrence Brown is the aggressive scoring guard North Carolina needs, while Sayon Keita combines strong rim protection with the ability to add 10 points in any game.

Rebounding is a work in progress for UNC, particularly on the offensive glass, with Keita and Jarin Stevenson heavily relied upon to grab boards. The Tar Heels also have Alex Samodurov and Cade Bennerman on their bench, while Cameron Fens continues to hope for eligibility.

Georgia is an SEC program on the rise entering Year Five of the Mike White era, making the NCAA Tournament in both 2025 and 2026. The Bulldogs have every intention of playing spoiler on Friday night, hoping to give North Carolina its first blemish.

As you prepare for this edition of Friday night lights in Chapel Hill, whether you're attending in-person or watching on TV, keep reading more below for our official game preview.

Key to Victory

Boxing out.

UNC is an extremely tall team, but allowed its first three opponents to win the offensive rebounding battle. This means the Tar Heels aren't consistently boxing out when that first shot goes up.

North Carolina almost lost its opener to Western Carolina because of rebounding woes, then allowed Wyoming to stay in the game for the same reason.

If UNC can limit Georgia to one-shot possessions, it'll win comfortably on Friday night.

Something to Watch

How productive Neo Avdalas is.

Avdalas gives off a very Ben Simmons-esque vibe. He's a tall guard who primarily handles the basketball, but can easily grab rebounds and score from anyhwere.

Avdalas scored 13 points, snagged seven boards and dished out four assists in UNC's opener. That line dropped to 8-4-4 against Wofford, followed by 1-1-4 against Wyoming.

What you need to know

UNC men's basketball 2026-27 schedule

October 9: Exhibition vs. USC Trojans in Greensboro, N.C. (W, 88-70)

Oct. 18: Exhibition at Indiana Hoosiers in Indianapolis (L, 76-58)

Oct. 27: Exhibition vs. Charlotte (W, 89-82 in OT)

November 2: Season opener vs. Western Carolina (W, 80-72)

Nov. 6: vs. Wofford (W, 109-70)

Nov. 10: vs. Wyoming (W, 76-63)

Nov. 13: vs. Georgia (7 p.m.)

Nov. 20: vs. Marshall (9 p.m.)

Nov. 23: vs. Monmouth (8 p.m.)

Nov. 27: Dick Vitale Invitational vs. West Virginia in Charlotte, N.C. (7 p.m.)

December 1: ACC-SEC Challenge vs. Arkansas (7:30 p.m.)

Dec. 6: vs. Butler (3 p.m.)

Dec. 12: at Georgetown (Noon)

Dec. 15: Tobacco Road Classic vs. NC State in Greensboro (7 p.m.)

Dec. 19: CBS Sports Clasic vs. Kentucky in New York, N.Y. (2:30 p.m.)

Dec. 21: vs. The Citadel (8 p.m.)

Dec. 30: vs. Cal (4 p.m.)

January 2, 2027: at Boston College (4 p.m.)

Jan. 5: at Louisville (9 p.m.)

Jan. 9: vs. NC State (Noon)

Jan. 13: at Florida State (7 p.m.)

Jan. 16: vs. Stanford (2:15 p.m.)

Jan. 19: vs. Virginia (9 p.m.)

Jan. 23: at Syracuse (12 p.m.)

Jan. 26: vs. SMU (7 p.m.)

Jan. 30: Nashville (Tenn.) Hoops Showdown vs. Illinois in Bridgestone Arena (6 or 6:30 p.m.)

February 2: at Notre Dame

Feb. 6: vs. Georgia Tech (2:15 p.m.)

Feb. 8: vs. Louisville (7 p.m.)

Feb. 13: at Duke (5:30 p.m.)

Feb. 20: at Wake Forest (7 p.m.)

Feb. 22: vs. Miami (7 p.m.)

Feb. 27: at Virginia Tech (7 p.m.)

March 2: at Pitt (9 p.m.)