North Carolina Basketball: Breaking down the non-conference schedule

GLENDALE, AZ - APRIL 03: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels cuts down the net after defeating the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the 2017 NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship game at University of Phoenix Stadium on April 3, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Tar Heels defeated the Bulldogs 71-65. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

2 of 5

NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 21: Reid Travis /

Early November

Northern Iowa at North Carolina, November 10th

Although they finished just 9-9 in the conference, the Northern Iowa Panthers were tied for third in the Missouri Valley this last season. Wichita State and Illinois State dominated the conference, both going 17-1, leaving the Panthers in that second tier. The Shockers are no longer a part of the conference and maybe the Panthers can do something with that. The series is split between these two teams, which each team winning one game against each other in the past few seasons.

Bucknell at North Carolina, November 15th

After making the NCAA Tournament last season, the Bucknell Bison will be looking to get back into the Big Dance and make a move to the second round. Bucknell went 26-9 last season and they return their two leading scorers from a season ago. Playing in Chapel Hill is no easy thing to do, but the Bison could pose an early threat to the youthful Tar Heels.

North Carolina at Stanford, November 20th

Stanford has not beaten North Carolina in their 10 most recent tries, dating back to 1967. Stanford went 14-17 last season but brings in the 14th ranked recruiting class according to 247Sports. Leading scorer Reid Travis (17.4 points per game) returns for the Cardinal, and four-star recruits Daejon Davis and Kezie Okpala will look to bring the noise against the defending champions.

Home/North Carolina Tar Heels