North Carolina Tar Heels defeat USC in Michael Malone’s debut

The North Carolina Tar Heels secured an 88–70 exhibition victory over the USC Trojans in Greensboro, marking the debut of head coach Michael Malone. While newcomers Terrence Brown and Matt Able struggled with scoring and turnovers, the team relied on veteran production and strong defensive adjustments to overcome a halftime deficit.

Jarin Stevenson led the offense with 25 points and 10 rebounds. Other notable performances included Neo Avdalas, who recorded 15 points, nine rebounds, and five assists in 24 minutes, and Isaiah Denis, who contributed 14 points. Malone highlighted the team’s second-half defensive turnaround as a decisive factor in the win, noting that the improved intensity helped shift the momentum.