Last year was the first season since 1919 that the North Carolina Tar Heels and NC State Wolfpack played in just one regular-season college basketball matchup. Due to ACC expansion and a reduction of conference games, the in-state rivals played just one time in Raleigh last season. This upcoming season, they were scheduled for just one clash in Chapel Hill.
But on Wednesday, the two schools announced a neutral-site Tobacco Road Classic that will take place in Greensboro, NC, over the next two seasons. This year's edition of the game will be played on Dec. 15 — recognized as a non-conference game. The Tar Heels and Wolfpack are both entering new eras under new program leaders.
Justin Gainey took over for NC State following the departure of Will Wade, and Michael Malone replaced Hubert Davis following his dismissal at the end of the season. "I’m coming from 25 years in the NBA, and you didn’t not have these type of rivalries very often.”
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