The college basketball season is officially underway, and what better way to kick off our First Friday Night, than with a Kansas vs UNC Basketball 2025 matchup out the gate! On Friday, November 7, 2025, the No. 25 North Carolina Tar Heels (1-0 after a 98-72 win over Elon) travel to Lawrence to face the No. 19 Kansas Jayhawks (1-0 following a 104-60 win over Howard) at 7 p.m. ET. The game is taking place at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, NC.
For Tar Heels fans, it’s a chance to see RJ Davis and Elliot Cadeau early in the season in tough game. Jayhawks supporters, meanwhile, will rally behind Hunter Dickinson’s interior dominance and KJ Adams’ versatility. With the series tied 6-6 all-time, this is surprisingly, the first time Kansas has played at North Carolina. It definitely feels like a potential preview of 2026 March Madness. We have more for how you can watch the game and the early odds for the matchup below.
How to Watch Kansas vs UNC Live
- TV Channel: ESPN (standard definition and HD available via most cable/satellite providers).
- Time: 7PM ET/ 6PM CT
- Matchup: Kansas vs UNC Men’s College Basketball
- Streaming Options: ESPN app (with cable login), FuboTV, YouTube TV (direct ESPN registration required at the time of this writing), Hulu + Live TV, or Sling TV (Orange package). Free trials are available on most platforms for new users.
- Radio: SiriusXM (Channel 83 for Kansas, Channel 157 for UNC) or local affiliates like 99.9 The Fan in Raleigh for Tar Heels coverage. Also, Jayhawk Radio Network here.
- Tickets: Still available via Ticketmaster or secondary markets like StubHub, starting around $75 for upper-level seats.
Betting Odds and Picks: Where’s the Value in This Blue Blood Battle?
College hoops betting is heating up, and the line has shifted since opening. North Carolina is now a slight favorite at home, rewarding the Tar Heels’ opener and the Dean E. Smith Center crowd. As of Wednesday evening (via DraftKings, BetMGM, and FanDuel), here’s the updated consensus:
| Bet Type | North Carolina | Kansas | Notes |
| Spread | -1.5 (-110) | +1.5 (-110) | UNC covers in 7 of last 9 home games vs. ranked foes |
| Moneyline | -130 | +110 | Kansas offers strong road-underdog value < |
| Total (O/U) | Over 157.5 (-110) | Under 157.5 (-110) | Lean Over—both teams shot >50% in openers; pace favors points |
Our Pick: North Carolina -1.5 (84-80)
Always bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Why This Game Matters: Early Bracket Buzz and Season Stakes
This game is a great, early litmus test for both squads’ national title aspirations. North Carolina, under Hubert Davis, reloaded with transfers like Drake Powell to complement their backcourt stars, aiming to rebound from last year’s NIT snub. Kansas, with Bill Self’s reloaded roster including freshmen phenom Flory Bidunga, looks poised for another Big 12 title run. A win here catapults the victor into the top 15 of next week’s AP Poll, setting the tone for bracketologists everywhere. You can also checkout the early season odds for each team to win March Madness here.
Gear Up with Printable Schedules from SportsBrackets.net
At SportsBrackets.net, we’ve got you covered with free printable schedules to track every tip-off. Download our Printable 2025-26 North Carolina Basketball Schedule in PDF format, complete with TV broadcasts and space for scores. Tar Heels fans, mark your calendars for ACC road trips to Duke (Jan. 25) and a home clash with Kentucky (Feb. 8).
Jayhawks backers, grab the Printable 2025-26 Kansas Basketball Schedule right here. It’s got all the Big 12 battles, including a revenge spot at Iowa State (Feb. 7).
And for tournament fever? We’ve prepped brackets for the full dance:
- 2026 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament Schedule & Printable Bracket (March 10-14 at Spectrum Center, Charlotte).
- 2026 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament Schedule & Printable Bracket (March 10-14 at T-Mobile Center, Kansas City).
