College basketball fans, prepare for a thrilling season ahead! But one question looms large: Will the Tar Heels live up to expectations?
The highly anticipated KenPom rankings are out, and they've placed the North Carolina Tar Heels at a modest 33rd position for the preseason. This comes as a surprise to some, considering other analytics experts like Bart Torvik and Evan Miyakawa have been more generous with their rankings, placing the Heels at 18th and 26th, respectively. But here's where it gets intriguing: Ken Pomeroy's rankings have a history of being more conservative, and his predictions often spark debate among fans and analysts alike.
In recent years, KenPom's preseason rankings for the Tar Heels have varied. In 2021-22, they started at 40th but ended up in the National Championship Game. The following season, they were ranked 17th, and last season, they held the 14th spot. So, is this 33rd ranking a cause for concern or a potential springboard for success?
And this is the part most fans will find exciting: the Tar Heels have a challenging schedule ahead. KenPom ranks seven of their upcoming opponents higher, including two in the top-10 and three in the top-20. They'll face a total of 11 preseason top 50 teams, including BYU at No. 18, setting up an eagerly awaited exhibition game in Salt Lake City.
Let's dive into their non-conference schedule:
- Nov. 7: Kansas (21st)
- Nov. 11: Radford (143rd)
- Nov. 14: NC Central (328th)
- Nov. 18: Navy (200th)
- Nov. 25: St. Bonaventure (122nd)
- Nov. 27: Michigan State (25th)
- Dec. 2: Kentucky (4th)
- Dec. 7: Georgetown (82nd)
- Dec. 13: USC-Upstate (336th)
- Dec. 16: ETSU (140th)
- Dec. 20: Ohio State (27th)
- Dec. 22: East Carolina (146th)
In the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Tar Heels are ranked fourth, behind powerhouses Duke, Louisville, and Clemson. They'll face off against seven ACC teams within the top 50, including:
- Duke (7th)
- Louisville (14th)
- Clemson (32nd)
- NC State (38th)
- SMU (43rd)
- Wake Forest (49th)
- Virginia (59th)
So, what do you think? Are the Tar Heels in for a surprise season, or will they defy the rankings and rise to the top? The court will be the ultimate judge, and we can't wait to see the drama unfold!
