UNC Basketball: Way Too Early Top 25s and Power Rankings

Believe it or not, we’re approaching the halfway point of the college basketball season. North Carolina will be looking to top its No. 1 seed (and Sweet 16 exit) in the 2023-24 season with a new team set to debut in November.

As many know, the Tar Heels have ACC Player of the Year RJ Davis back, along with Elliot Cadeau, Jae’Lyn Withers, Seth Trimble, Jalen Washington and Zayden High from last year’s class.

The newcomers are highlighted by freshmen Ian Jackson, Drake Powell and James Brown. Hubert Davis went out and also managed to grab Cade Tyson (Belmont) and Ven-Allen Lubin (Vanderbilt) from the transfer portal.

Expectations are high in Chapel Hill, but last year’s turnover is significant and leaves a lot of question marks. The Tar Heels will likely field a much smaller lineup in 2024-25 with one of the most talented backcourts in the country. There will be no Armando Bacot or Harrison Ingram down low, though. It’s shaping up to be another top-heavy year in the ACC, and as always in college hoops.

It’s tough to predict how North Carolina will fare nationally, but some of the most notable writers and analysts are already trying. Let’s take a look at where the Tar Heels fall in some early power rankings and polls.

CBS Sports is kindest to the Tar Heels prospects, ranking them No. 4 in the country. Behind only Kansas, Alabama and Houston, their updated rankings praise the potential roster of strong recruiting, returners and transfers in Chapel Hill.

The Rothstein 45, updated daily by college hoops analyst Jon Rothstein, has North Carolina at No. 7 with a projected starting lineup of Cadeau, Davis, Jackson, Withers and Lubin. ESPN and Jeff Borzello have the Tar Heels at No. 10. That article and write-up can be found here . On3 isn’t far behind, putting Hubert Davis’ group at No. 11.

It’s still early, but North Carolina is getting the plaudits and high expectations. Hubert Davis, in his fourth year at the helm, still hopes that regular-season success will translate into postseason success. 2024-25 is a perfect opportunity to create that tandem, as the Tar Heels have yet to achieve true tournament success since a 2022 Final Four run.