The 2008-09 basketball season promises to be historic for the ACC with North Carolina and Tyler Hansbrough chasing Duke for both team and individual honors in the record books.
Speaking of history, Sidney Lowe's third season at N.C. State includes two games at Reynolds Coliseum. And how will Mike Krzyzewski hold up on his day job? (Raleigh) News & Observer staff writer J.P. Giglio takes a look at the schedule, which was released Tuesday.
Monday, Nov.10:
Delaware at Duke
No more Kobe or LeBron for Coach K. Just Kyle and Gerald to tip off the season against the Blue Hens.
Saturday, Nov. 15:
N.C. State at New Orleans
The Wolfpack hasn't opened the season on an opponent's court since 1990-91. The Privateers won the first Monte Towe Reunion Game in Raleigh last season.
Penn at UNC and Florida State at Jacksonville: What do these four schools have in common? A Final Four appearance in the 1970s. What? You forgot about Otto Petty and the '72 Seminoles?
Tuesday, Nov. 18:
Kentucky at UNC
The Cats don't like Duke and they really don't like UNC but they haven't been able to do much about it, losing three straight in the series.
Friday, Nov. 21:
UNC at UC Santa Barbara
Will this “Santa” be naughty or nice for the Tar Heels, who lost to Santa Clara in their pre-Maui stop in 2004-05.
Wednesday, Nov. 26:
UNC in Maui Invitational
The championship game of the Maui Invitational could pit the Heels against Notre Dame or Ol' Roy's ol' Big 12 compadre, Rick Barnes and Texas.
Saturday, Dec.6:
N.C. State vs. Davidson at Charlotte
Stephen Curry gets his first of two shots at an ACC team. Davidson and Curry are 0-5 vs. ACC opponents.
Saturday, Dec. 13:
Winston-Salem State at N.C. State
One of two regular-season games at Reynolds Coliseum is one of three ACC trips for the Rams.
Sunday, Dec.21:
Clemson at Miami
The ACC season, and race for No. 2, begins.
Saturday, Jan.3:
N.C. State at Florida
The 2006 and 2007 national champs welcome Sidney Lowe to Gainesville.
Norm Sloan would have been proud.
Wednesday, Jan. 7
Harvard at Boston College and Davidson at Duke No SAT scores under 1,400 allowed, at least not in the student section.
Sunday, Jan. 11:
UNC at Wake Forest
The only trip standing between UNC and 19-0? The talented Deacs' only crack at the Heels.
Tuesday, Jan. 20:
N.C. State at Duke
The only meeting of the season for this half of the Big Four. N.C. State hasn't beaten Coach K at Cameron since the 1987-88 season.
Wednesday, Jan. 21:
Clemson at UNC
Fifty-three years and counting ...
Saturday, Jan. 31:
UNC at N.C. State
The red jacket returns. Can Sidney Lowe, and his lucky coat, improve to
2-1 against Roy Williams in Raleigh?
Tuesday, Feb. 3:
Maryland at UNC
The Terps won at the Smith Center last season. And then forgot about the rest of the season.
Sunday, Feb. 8:
N.C. State at Virginia Tech
If there's one thing N.C. State can do, it's beat the Hokies – 6-1 since expansion.
Wednesday, Feb. 11:
UNC at Duke
Psycho T goes for the rare Cameron sweep.
Sunday, Feb. 15:
UNC at Miami
Another potential road block on the Heels' path to conference perfection.
Wednesday, Feb. 25:
Duke at Maryland
Even as Maryland basketball becomes increasingly meaningless, this game still means everything to the always congenial Comcast faithful.
Saturday, Feb. 28:
Georgia Tech at UNC
So long, J.J. Redick. If Tyler Hansbrough (2,168 points) averages 22 points per game, he'll pass Duke's Redick (2,769 points) as the ACC's all-time leading scorer at the Smith Center against Yellow Jackets.
Sunday, March 8:
Duke at UNC
The Blue Devils, 1998-99, are the only team in ACC history to go 16-0.
Will they have company?
















