CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WNCN) – The University of North Carolina men’s basketball team has called off its annual Blue-White scrimmage, which was originally scheduled to be held at Harrah’s Resort in Cherokee, N.C. on Oct. 13, the program announced on Friday. Instead, the scrimmage will move back to the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill on Oct. 12, tipping off after the conclusion of the Tar Heels’ football game against Georgia Tech that day. The football game starts at noon and the basketball scrimmage will begin 45 minutes following the end of the game. CIAA athletics at St. Augustine’s suspended the rest of the 2024-25 academic year The program cited the logistical concerns of hosting the event due to the devastation left in western North Carolina by Hurricane Helene as the reason behind the rescheduling. It was initially organized as a way for players to gain more opportunities to promote and profit from their name, image and likeness. “Our number one concern is the safety and well-being of the thousands of people who are affected by the storm and we didn’t want to add to their challenges by trying to play a basketball game in Cherokee at this time,” UNC head coach Hubert Davis said. “We had some discussions about keeping the date to help restore some normalcy but there is nothing normal about the tragic circumstances people in the area are facing every day. We plan to bring our team to Harrah’s and Cherokee another time when the conditions are right.” General admission tickets for the Blue-White scrimmage will be $10 with all proceeds directed toward hurricane relief efforts. Tickets will be available for purchase on Oct. 8 at 10 a.m. Talkin’ Panthers, college sports and NASCAR with K.C & Danny Anyone who bought a ticket to the scrimmage in Cherokee and brings a copy of the receipt will be allowed into the game for free. Students will be admitted with a UNC One Card at no charge. The men’s basketball program will cover the costs of student admissions with the proceeds donated to the hurricane relief. The Carolina Hurricanes pulled off a similar fundraiser with its preseason game with the Nashville Predators earlier this week, raising more than $300,000 to help those impacted by Hurricane Helene in the western part of the state.