UNC, NC State cancelled classes due to snow. But basketball games go on. Why?
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Universities close campuses while maintaining event operations under contract.
- ACC-ESPN contract drives decision: games proceed if teams and officials can travel safely.
- Matchups continue amid storm, leaving fans and staff to weigh risks.
NC State University and UNC-Chapel Hill have canceled classes and suspended campus operations through Monday night due to the weekend’s winter storm. But for college basketball players and team staff, a relaxing snow day is a distant dream.
Each campus will host basketball games Monday evening, despite the snow and ice still on the roads and campus decisions to close. Because the games are televised by ESPN, the bar for cancellation is much higher than other campus operations, like classes. That’s a result of ESPN’s contract with the Atlantic Coast Conference. If both teams can make it to the arena, the game will be played, the contract stipulates. The show must go on.
UNC’s women’s team will visit NC State at 6 p.m., and the UNC men’s team will host Syracuse at 7 p.m.
“There are several considerations for deciding whether tonight’s women’s basketball game is played, but ACC regulations stipulate that the game should be played if both teams and the officials can safely make it to the arena,” NC State spokesperson Mick Kulikowski told The News & Observer.
“UNC’s team was able to travel safely to Reynolds Coliseum to practice on Sunday, and university facilities staff has continued to work diligently to clear parking lots, roadways and university grounds,” Kulikowski said.
University facilities staff do not prioritize clearing the basketball arena before other parts of campus, according to Kulikowski. Student areas like dining halls, wellness and recreation buildings, libraries, housing, and academic buildings are all on equal footing.
UNC also echoed the language of the ESPN-ACC contract in explaining its decision not to cancel Monday’s men’s basketball game. Last week, UNC encouraged fans not to come to the women’s basketball game against Syracuse, urging people to watch on TV or walk to the stadium if possible.
“Games are typically played if both teams and officials can safely get to the arena; the decision to play was made in coordination with Syracuse and Emergency Management Officials,” a statement on Monday’s game from Carolina Athletics reads. “We encourage all who plan to attend to be cautious and safe.”
It’s not completely unheard of for schools to postpone games, however. In January 2017, NC State’s game at UNC was postponed by one day because of snowy, icy conditions.
On Tuesday, Duke will host Boston College at 7 p.m. in men’s basketball. Though classes are canceled Monday, Duke University has yet to make a decision on Tuesday’s campus operations.
The event of the week, though, is Saturday’s Duke-UNC men’s basketball showdown. The cheapest, nosebleed tickets are selling for nearly $400 on Ticketmaster. If you want to sit closer, the cost is more like $2,400. Though there’s a chance for more snow later this week, Triangle college basketball fans with tickets are certainly hoping roads will be clear by then.
Shelby Swanson and Jadyn Watson-Fisher contributed to this report.
This story was originally published February 2, 2026 at 1:47 PM with the headline "UNC, NC State cancelled classes due to snow. But basketball games go on. Why?."
