UNC Opens Season; Texas, Mississippi State Roster News

North Carolina will open its season with an exhibition against national runner-up South Carolina on Oct. 30 at State Farm Arena, then will travel to Mexico for the 2025 Cancun Challenge before a major road test at Texas in the ACC/SEC Challenge on Dec. 4 at the Moody Center. The Longhorns, coached by Vic Schaefer, return experienced scorers including Madison Booker (16.3 ppg), Taylor Jones and Rori Harmon, providing a veteran, deep lineup that will be a stiff challenge for a younger UNC squad. Mississippi State, under Sam Purcell, has ramped up practice ahead of its Nov. 3 opener with Davidson but faces offseason turnover after the departures of Jerkaila Jordan, Madina Okot and Quanirah Montague, creating opportunities for Chandler Prater, Destiney McPhaul and Trayanna Crisp. Recent NIL and revenue-sharing rule changes allowing unlimited early visits are reshaping recruiting and pushing many 2026 prospects to delay commitments. As of October, 57 of ESPN's top-100 2026 prospects have committed, with Nebraska, Clemson and Indiana leading with three apiece and programs including North Carolina and Texas at two each.