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UNC Basketball: Tar Heels tumble in latest ESPN Power Rankings

By Blake Cockrum

ANN ARBOR, MI - NOVEMBER 28: North Carolina Tar Heels Head Basketball Coach Roy Williams watches the action during the second half of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Center on November 28, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan defeated North Carolina Tar Heels 84-67. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - NOVEMBER 28: North Carolina Tar Heels Head Basketball Coach Roy Williams watches the action during the second half of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Center on November 28, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan defeated North Carolina Tar Heels 84-67. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /
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Tar Heels’ blowout loss to Louisville has them headed in the wrong direction

The North Carolina basketball program seemed to be on the rise after back-to-back conference road wins, but a blowout home defeat to Louisville on Saturday has it headed in the wrong direction. And their latest position in the ESPN Power Rankings reflects just that.

The Tar Heels, who now sit at 12-4 after the 21-point drubbing they took at the hands of Chris Mack’s Cardinals, dropped from 10th to 15th in the updated rankings. It’s the lowest they’ve been ranked all season, and just two spots away from dropping off the list altogether.

And justifiably so.

North Carolina’s loss on Saturday was the worst home loss of the Roy Williams era — better than 15 year’s worth of games since his return to Chapel Hill in 2003. And unfortunately for the UNC faithful — who’d prefer to claim it was just “one bad game” and nothing to worry about — the Tar Heels showed some of the same tendencies that they have all season long. And it should be cause for concern.

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Yes, Roy Williams’ teams are typically, if not always, better in March than they are in January. And yes, they’ve got plenty of time to improve and turn things around before March. But will they?

With seniors Luke Maye and Kenny Williams both struggling offensively, inconsistent guard play, an inability to guard teams in transition, and a lack of emphasis on protecting the basketball, the Tar Heels have a lot of work to do if they hope to avoid another disappointing early-round loss in the NCAA Tournament this year.

Their biggest rival and crosstown neighbor, Duke, is once again ranked first in this week’s power rankings. The Blue Devils escaped Tallahassee with a victory on Saturday thanks to a last second, game-winning Cam Reddish three-pointer.

The Michigan Wolverines are one of two remaining undefeated teams, and they rightfully held onto their No. 2 ranking this week. The Tennessee Volunteers remain at No. 3 on the list, and the Virginia Cavaliers — the other team without a blemish on its record — are ranked fourth.

Gonzaga is fifth, and Texas Tech is up to No. 6 after a pair of Big 12 victories last week. Michigan State is 15-2 on the season, and ranked seventh. Kansas, which has games against Texas and West Virginia this week, is eighth, while Virginia Tech and Nevada are ninth and tenth, respectively.

Florida State dropped its third game of the season last weekend, but moved up one spot to No. 11. Kentucky is up two spots to No. 12, and Buffalo is right behind the Wildcats at No. 13. Buffalo is followed by Houston at  No. 14, the Tar Heels at No. 15, and the 13-2 Ole Miss Rebels at No. 16.

Tar Heels' latest position in ESPN Bracketology. dark. Next

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