UNC basketball to play UConn in Jimmy V Classic
North Carolina basketball will get to play reigning national champion UConn at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 5 as part of the Jimmy V Classic in New York City.
UNC, which announced the matchup Monday, welcomes seven new players to its 2023-24 squad, including freshman Elliot Cadeau, to surround returning starters Armando Bacot and RJ Davis.
The Tar Heels are 5-1 against the Huskies, but the programs haven’t played since 2005. UNC and UConn have combined to win 11 NCAA championships.
“It’s a great opportunity to play the defending national champions and return to Madison Square Garden, a special place that has meant a lot to me,” UNC coach Hubert Davis said in a school-issued statement.
UNC JERSEY NUMBERS: What jersey numbers will UNC basketball players wear this season? Here are the Tar Heels
BACOT TALKS UNC: UNC basketball’s Armando Bacot breaks down roster changes, why he returned for Tar Heels
“Carolina fans were amazing when we played in the Garden against Ohio State, so we know the atmosphere will be something special. It’s also a blessing and honor to play in this year’s Jimmy V Classic as Coach Valvano is being inducted in the Hall of Fame this year. It should be a great night to celebrate Coach Valvano and college basketball.”
The matchup against UConn will be UNC’s first game against a reigning champion since beating Baylor in overtime in the second round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament.
"It's an honor to be invited to participate in the Jimmy V Classic to help raise funds for such a worthwhile cause that hits close to home for my wife Andrea and me, with the loss of her father to this dreaded disease," UConn coach Dan Hurley said in a school-issued statement.
"I know our team and our UConn fanbase are thrilled to be coming to Madison Square Garden to compete against one of the most storied programs in college basketball. We are very much looking forward to Dec. 5."
Davis, a former guard for the New York Knicks, is adamant that Carolina will continue to play games in New York City. The Heels improved to 30-11 at the Garden with an overtime win against Ohio State last season in the CBS Sports Classic.
The Jimmy V Classic, named for former NC State coach Jim Valvano, annually raises money and awareness for the V Foundation for Cancer Research. In 2022, V Week helped raise a record breaking $14.4 million dollars which was a 32% increase over 2020 fundraising.
Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com or @RoddBaxley on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: UNC basketball: Tar Heels to play UConn in Jimmy V Classic
