The UNC men's basketball team is right where it should be early in the 2026-27 season, winning each of its first two games.

The Tar Heels barely escaped Western Carolina, 80-72, during their season opener on November 2. Four days later, North Carolina (2-0) played much better in a 109-70 thrashing of Wofford.

UNC continues its home-heavy, early-season slate on Tuesday night, hosting the Wyoming Cowboys at 7 p.m. Wyoming (2-0) is no slouch, winning each of its first two regular season games by 30+ points.

The Tar Heels continued to showcase their balanced brand of basketball under new head coach Michael Malone, with five players scoring in double-figures against Wofford (0-2). Terrence Brown led North Carolina with 21 points, while Jaydon Young (15), Alex Samodurov (13), Maximo Adams (11) and Jarin Stevenson (10) joined the high-scoring party.

During ACC Tipoff, Malone pointed to Adams as someone who can be a special player. Adams added 11 rebounds to his big Friday night against the Terriers, recording his first double-double two games into his collegiate career.

The visiting Cowboys are led offensively by guards Nasir Meyer (14.5) and Khaden Bennett (14), dominating Regis University (95-48) and Idaho State (93-62). UNC is a significantly better team than each of Wyoming's first two opponents, so don't expect any blowouts tomorrow night.

If the Tar Heels rebound well, continue playing strong perimeter defense and get scoring contributions from everyone, they should have no issue against the Cowboys. Keep reading more below for our official game preview.

Key to Victory

Defending the perimeter.

Wyoming is a dangerous team from beyond the arc, with four regulars shooting 50 percent or better on 3-pointers. Western Carolina made 42% of its perimeter attempts against UNC, but Wofford struggled from deep.

North Carolina has to fight through screens and stay with their Cowboys on the perimeter, which will lead to a big victory. If not, the Tar Heels could be in trouble.

Something to Watch

How much playing time Maximo Adams gets.

When you record a double-double in your second career collegiate game, you'll get attention. Adams now has 21 point in each North Carolina game this season, while his 11 rebounds against Wofford were a career-high.

Adams could start for UNC, but that's a decision Malone will make himself.

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 (7 p.m.)

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.)