No. 18 North Carolina looks to cap off Senior Night with a win over Clemson.
The Tar Heels had a strong week that included a 77-74 victory over then-No. 24 Louisville defeated Virginia Tech 89-82. Seth Trimble combined for 50 points in two games and scored a career-high 30 points in a win over Louisville to earn ACC Player of the Week honors. Center Henri Veesaar scored a game-high 26 points and grabbed seven rebounds against Virginia Tech.
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If North Carolina (22-6, 11-5 ACC) beats Clemson (21-8, 11-5 ACC), it will end an undefeated season at the Dean Smith Center. UNC is unbeaten five times at the Dean Dome: 1986-87, 1992-93, 2004-05, 2010-11 and 2016-17. In four of those seasons, the Tar Heels reached the Final Four and won the national championship three times.
A win would also secure North Carolina a fourth seed and a double bye in the ACC Tournament in Charlotte.
The Tar Heels are 136-25 against the Tigers, including 60-2 in Chapel Hill and 29-2 at the Smith Center. However, Clemson has won its past two games and four of its past seven, including an 85-65 win at home last season. The 20-point lead matched the Tigers’ biggest first-set victory over UNC in 1977. Clemson has also taken two of its last three games in Chapel Hill (2020 and 2024).
Clemson defeated Louisville 80-75 on Saturday, ending a four-game losing streak.
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Even with a trip to Duke on the way, North Carolina can’t ignore Clemson. The Tigers are one of the better defensive teams in the ACC, and this game will play a big role in seeding for the ACC Tournament, with both teams currently in the top five.
Read below to learn all about Tuesday night’s game.
key to victory
February 28, 2026; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Jonathan Powell (11) holds the ball and Virginia Tech Hokies guard Jailen Bedford (0) defends during the second half at the Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
UNC’s bench must step up again.
Clemson is one of the deepest teams in the country, playing nine players regularly and averaging 30.5 points off the bench, tops in the ACC. However, NC State’s reserves have also performed well in key moments this season.
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UNC led 32-13 off the bench in the Tar Heels’ win over Virginia Tech. Jonathan Powell (15 points) and Zayden High (12 points), who came off the bench, both scored in double figures, and Zyan Evans contributed 5 points and 3 assists.
What to pay attention to
CLEMSON, SC – FEBRUARY 21: Clemson Tigers’ Carter Waring #22 reacts to the ball against the Florida State Seminoles during the second quarter at Littlejohn Stadium on February 21, 2026 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Katie Devaney/Getty Images)
How UNC’s offense stacks up against Clemson’s defense.
The Tar Heels are averaging 81 points per game over their past three games, including 89 points per game in their most recent win over Virginia Tech. However, they achieved those numbers against a Syracuse team that has given up an average of 89 points per game over its past five games, a Louisville team that has given up 80.5 points over its past four games, and a Virginia Tech team that has been inconsistent defensively this season.
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Clemson’s defense is no joke, allowing just 66 points per game and holding opponents to 43 percent shooting — which ranks second and third, respectively, in ACC play.
Statistics Leader
February 28, 2026; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels center Henri Veesaar (13) scores in the second half at the Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
integral
University of North Carolina: Caleb Wilson(19.8)
Clemson: RJ Godfrey (11.5)
rebound
University of North Carolina: Caleb Wilson(9.4)
Clemson: Carter Welling(5.4)
Assist
University of North Carolina: Keon Evans (2.9)
Clemson: Dillon Hunter(4.9)
what you need to know
TarHeelsWire How to Watch
What? North Carolina Tar Heels (23-6, 11-5 ACC) vs. Clemson (21-8, 11-5 ACC)
when? Tuesday, March 3 at 7 p.m. ET
Where? Dean Smith Center, Chapel Hill (21,750)
television? ESPN
radio? SiriusXM (channel 193)
Wire? University of North Carolina-2.5
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Last meeting? February 10, 2025, Clemson 85, North Carolina 65
Historic series: North Carolina leads all-time series 136-25
UNC Basketball 2025-26 Schedule
February 28, 2026; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis reacts during the second half at the Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
October 4: Blue-White Melee (White 55, Blue 50)
Oct. 24: at BYU (preseason, L 78-76)
Oct. 29: vs. Winston-Salem State (preseason, won 95-53)
Nov. 3: vs. Central Arkansas (W, 94-54)
Nov. 7: vs. Kansas (W, 87-74)
Nov. 11: vs. Radford (women, 89-74)
Nov. 14: vs. North Carolina Central (W, 97-53)
Nov. 18: vs. Navy (W, 73-61)
Nov. 25: at Fort Myers (Fla.) vs. St. Bonaventure (W, 85-70)
Nov. 27: vs. Michigan State at Fort Myers (Fla.) (win, 74-58)
Dec. 2: At Kentucky (W, 67-64)
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Dec. 7: vs. Georgetown (W, 81-61)
Dec. 13: vs. USC North (W, 80-62)
Dec. 16: vs. ETSU (W, 77-58)
December 20: CBS Sports Classic vs. Ohio State (win, 71-70)
Dec. 22: vs. East Carolina (W, 99-51)
Dec. 30: vs. Florida State (W 79-66)
January 3, 2026: at SMU (L 97-83)
January 10, 2026: vs. Wake Forest (W 87-84)
January 14, 2026: Stanford University (L 95-90)
January 17, 2026: California (L 84-78)
January 21, 2026: vs. Notre Dame (W 90-69)
January 24, 2026: Virginia (W 85-80)
January 31, 2026: Georgia Tech (W 91-75)
February 2, 2026: vs. Syracuse (87-77)
February 7, 2026: vs. Duke (W 71-68)
February 10, 2026: Miami (Fla.) (L 75-66)
February 14, 2026: vs. Pitt (W 79-65)
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February 17, 2026: North Carolina State University (L 82-58)
February 21, 2026: Syracuse (W 77-64)
February 23, 2026: vs. Louisville (W 77-74)
February 28, 2026: vs. Virginia Tech (W 89-82)
March 3, 2026: vs. Clemson (7 p.m.)
March 7, 2026: Duke University (6:30 p.m.)
March 10-14, 2026: ACC Championship Game at Spectrum Center (Charlotte, NC)
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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC basketball vs. Clemson: Game preview, information, predictions and more
