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UNC Basketball: Tar Heels rise in latest ESPN power rankings

By Zack Pearson

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 02: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels directs his team against the Harvard Crimson during the first half at the Dean Smith Center on January 02, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 02: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels directs his team against the Harvard Crimson during the first half at the Dean Smith Center on January 02, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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The UNC Basketball program has jumped in the latest ESPN college basketball power rankings after their big win over NC State

The North Carolina Tar Heels are off to a great start in Atlantic Coast Conference play, opening up the schedule with two road wins.

Their latest road win was pretty impressive as they went to Raleigh and beat No. 15 NC State 90-82 to open up 2-0 in the ACC. The win also moved UNC to 12-3 on the year.

With the ACC being a tough conference, having six teams ranked in the Top 25, picking up road wins will be tough all season long. But if you can get them, you will put yourself in good shape for a double-bye.

If UNC can beat Louisville in their conference home opener on Saturday, they will almost certainly move up in the AP Top 25 into the Top 10. But before that, another power ranking has already moved UNC up into a Top 10.

ESPN released their latest power rankings following Tuesday’s slate of games and the Tar Heels have cracked the Top 10.

Writer Jeff Borzello moved UNC up one spot from No. 11 to No. 10 in his rankings after the Tar Heels beat NC State on the road. He went on to write that fans shouldn’t forget about the UNC this season with all of the talented teams in the ACC:

"Carolina has had some hiccups this season, but its defense is starting to pick up lately, and Williams is getting the balance he needs on the offensive end. Turnovers were an issue Tuesday, but that’s always going to be an issue against Kevin Keatts-coached teams."

UNC will be tested a few times this season with two games against Duke, matchups against Virginia Tech, Virginia, NC State and Florida State still left on the schedule, plus the ACC Tournament.

With the conference being so good, it’s going to come down to the wire for a champion to be crowned.

The Tar Heels return to the court on Saturday for their home opener and will play three of their next four in the Dean Dome including hosting No. 9 Virginia Tech on January 21st.

Next. Luke Maye named to the Wood Midseason Watch List. dark

For more on the UNC Basketball program, please check back with Keeping It Heel.

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