No. 22 Men’s Basketball Hosts Notre Dame at Home on Wednesday

The University of North Carolina Tar Heels will face off against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Smith Center this Wednesday, January 21. This game marks a crucial point in the season as it is the only home game for Carolina in a challenging stretch of five consecutive contests.

Key Game Details

• Date: January 21, 2026
• Time: 7 p.m. ET
• Broadcast: ESPN2 (Commentators: Kevin Brown and Cory Alexander)

Current Season Overview

The Tar Heels are entering this matchup with a record of 14 wins and 4 losses overall, with a 2-3 mark in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Recent games included two defeats against California teams, with scores of 95-90 against Stanford and 84-78 against Cal. In contrast, Notre Dame enters the game with a record of 10-8 and a 1-4 record in the ACC, currently on a four-game losing streak.

Historical Context

In the Smith Center, Carolina has maintained an impressive home record of 11-0 this season, achieving significant victories over Kansas and ACC rivals Florida State and Wake Forest. Notably, the win over Wake Forest on January 10 marked the 500th victory for the Tar Heels at the Smith Center.

All-Time Series Against Notre Dame

The Tar Heels have historically dominated the matchup against the Fighting Irish, boasting a 32-9 overall record. This includes a strong ACC record of 16-5 and a perfect 10-1 at home, where they have not lost to Notre Dame since a narrow 71-70 defeat in 2015. In the previous season, Carolina emerged victorious in both encounters with Notre Dame, winning 74-73 in South Bend and 76-56 in the ACC Tournament.

Recent Performance Metrics

Carolina has been effective at home, scoring an average margin of victory of 22.2 points. Offensively, the team is shooting 48.9% from the field while limiting opponents to 34.6% shooting, significantly enhancing their defense during home games. However, three-point defense has been a concern, as the team struggled in recent road losses against Santa Clara, Stanford, and California.

Highlighted Players to Watch

Key contributors for the Tar Heels include:

• Caleb Wilson: Leads the team with an average of 19.7 points and 10.6 rebounds per game, showcasing his potential as a standout player in the ACC.
• Henri Veesaar: Another pivotal player, averaging 17.2 points and 9.1 rebounds, shooting an impressive 64.3% from the field.

Looking Ahead

The game against Notre Dame represents a vital opportunity for the Tar Heels to turn their season around and maintain their strong home dominance. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see if Carolina can secure another win at the Smith Center and build momentum for the rest of the ACC schedule.