Brown, Able headline North Carolina lineup for Malone’s debut
The Tar Heels will open the 2026-27 season with a rebuilt roster and an unsettled center position.
North Carolina’s projected opening-night lineup against Western Carolina on Nov. 2 features transfers Terrence Brown, Matt Able and Neoklis Avdalas, along with Stevenson and either Fens or Sayon Keita at center.
Brown averaged 19.9 points, 3.8 assists and 2.4 rebounds at Utah last season. Able averaged 8.8 points and 3.4 rebounds at NC State and is set to move into a starting role after coming off the bench in 34 games.
Avdalas averaged 12.1 points, 4.6 assists and 3.1 rebounds as a freshman at Virginia Tech. Stevenson started 25 games for North Carolina last season and posted 8.1 points and 4.4 rebounds per game.
Fens averaged 14.4 points and 8.7 rebounds at South Dakota. Keita, a five-star addition from Spain, is a 7-footer viewed as a potential 2027 NBA Draft pick and could start or come off the bench.
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North Carolina also added Adams, the No. 31-ranked player in the 2026 recruiting cycle, while Bennerman is expected to provide frontcourt depth. Brizzi averaged 14.5 points and shot 37% from the 3-point line at Buffalo last season.
The schedule includes games against Georgia on Nov. 13, West Virginia on Nov. 27 and Arkansas on Dec. 1 in the ACC/SEC Challenge. North Carolina also is set to face NC State on Dec. 15 and Kentucky on Dec. 19.