UNC basketball vs West Virginia set for Dick Vitale Invitational on ESPN

For the first time in 61 years, UNC basketball will play West Virginia. 

The Tar Heels and Mountaineers will play during the 2026-27 season on Nov. 27 as part of the second annual Dick Vitale Invitational, presented by Belk. The Charlotte Sports Foundation and ESPN will host the game at Spectrum Center, home of the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets. 

A tip time and ESPN network channel will be announced at a later date, UNC said in a school-issued release.

UNC is 0-5 in the all-time series against West Virginia, so the Tar Heels will be trying to do something for the first time in program history in their first season under coach Michael Malone. Malone is bringing in at least 10 newcomers around senior Jarin Stevenson, including key transfer additions Neoklis Avdalas (Virginia Tech), Matt Able (N.C. State) and Terrence Brown (Utah). 

Ross Hodge is entering his second season with the Mountaineers, headlined by key transfers Joson Sanon (St. John’s) and Finley Bizjack (Butler). 

Vitale, 87, is a longtime college basketball announcer for ESPN and continues to battle cancer for a fifth time since being originally diagnosed in 2021. He’s provided several positive updates on social media this week, writing that recent blood tests came back “very good” and that the immunotherapy treatments that he has been receiving are “very effective in wiping out the cancer.”

On Thursday, Aug. 6, Vitale wrote that his “oncologist is very happy and encouraging in his most recent analysis of my cancer battles.” He added that he is “looking forward to seeing and calling the game on ESPN” between UNC and West Virginia.

Vitale called several games on ESPN last season, including the inaugural Dick Vitale Invitational game between Duke and Texas, which ended with the Blue Devils earning a 15-point victory. 

Rodd Baxley covers North Carolina Tar Heels athletics for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding UNC? Send them to rbaxley@usatodayco.com.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: UNC basketball vs West Virginia set for Dick Vitale Invitational on ESPN