A pair of ACC contenders collide Monday night in Chapel Hill as Louisville travels to face North Carolina in a game that could shape the middle of the conference standings.
Louisville enters 20-7 overall and fresh off a blowout win over Georgia Tech. The Cardinals have won eight of their last 10 games and are playing some of their best basketball of the season. North Carolina is 21-6 and coming off a 77-64 road win at Syracuse on Saturday.
Louisville looking to stay hot in February
The Cardinals are 9-5 in ACC play, tied for sixth place, and boast a 5-1 record in February. Their only slip this month came on the road at SMU, where they surrendered 95 points in a defensive lapse.
Offensively, Louisville has been electric. The Cardinals rank 14th nationally in scoring at 86.8 points per game, led by a balanced attack that can stretch the floor and score in transition.
After this matchup, Louisville remains on the road with a trip to Clemson. In March, head coach Pat Kelsey’s team hosts Syracuse before traveling to Miami to close out conference play.
Tar Heels battling injuries but stacking wins
North Carolina is also 9-5 in league play and tied with Louisville in the standings. Despite dealing with injuries to two starters, the Tar Heels have positioned themselves comfortably for an NCAA Tournament bid with 21 wins.
UNC is 4-2 in February, with losses coming on the road at Miami and NC State. The return of Henri Veesaar has provided a lift, but the absence of leading scorer Caleb Wilson, who averages 19.8 points per game, looms large.
Following Monday’s game, the Tar Heels stay home to face Virginia Tech. In March, they host Clemson before closing the regular season with a rematch against Duke. North Carolina won the first meeting against the Blue Devils in Chapel Hill.
Louisville vs. North Carolina: When and where
- Date: Monday, February 23, 2026
- Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Dean E. Smith Center, Chapel Hill, NC
Louisville vs. North Carolina: Where to watch or stream
- TV: ESPN
- Streaming: FuboTV
Louisville vs. North Carolina: Betting odds
- Spread: Louisville -2.5, North Carolina+2.5
- Moneyline: Louisville -150, North Carolina +140
- Total: 161
(Odds subject to change.)
Louisville vs. North Carolina: Series history
- All-time series: North Carolina leads 20-8
- Last meeting: Louisville defeated North Carolina 83-70 on January 1, 2025
Projected starting lineups
Louisville Cardinals
- #00 Mikel Brown Jr. – 17.6 PPG
- #3 Ryan Conwell – 18.3 PPG
- #1 J’Vonne Hadley – 11.2 PPG
- #10 Isaac McKneely – 11.0 PPG
- #13 Sananda Fru – 9.9 PPG
North Carolina Tar Heels
- #13 Henri Veesaar – 16.5 PPG
- #7 Seth Trimble – 13.3 PPG
- #44 Luka Bogavac – 9.9 PPG
- #15 Jarin Stevenson – 7.8 PPG
- #3 Derek Dixon – 5.7 PPG
Key note: Caleb Wilson (19.8 PPG) is out for North Carolina.
ACC showdown in Chapel Hill
This has all the makings of a tight, high-level ACC battle. Louisville can score with anyone in the league, while North Carolina’s depth and home-court advantage at the Dean Dome are always significant factors.
With the point spread sitting tight and both teams tied in the standings, expect a competitive game that could swing late. In late February, games like this often feel like postseason previews.