Last week, we found out that the Tar Heels’ game with the Syracuse Orange was being postponed due to issues with COVID-19 in the Orange program. On Thursday, we found out that the program has replaced that game that will take place this Saturday in the Smith Center.
Earlier tonight, the basketball program made it official that they will now play the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in Chapel Hill on Saturday at 4:00 PM on the ACC Network. The Irish had their schedule matchup for Saturday with the Pittsburgh Panthers after a COVID-19 issue within the Panthers program. The Tar Heels are scheduled to face the Fighting Irish in Chapel Hill on January 30th and as of right now, it is unclear if that game will be affected by this game.
This addition feels important for a Tar Heel team that is struggling to open ACC play. If this game hadn’t been scheduled, the Tar Heels would have been tasked with going on the road for the third straight game to open the ACC slate against Miami, so that is a win in itself. This Fighting Irish team has continued their struggles from a year ago, as they sit just 3-5 on the season to this point, so this a winnable game and being in the Smith Center for just third this year will also help.