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UNC Basketball: Tar Heels on the rise in latest ESPN Power Rankings

By Blake Cockrum

MIAMI, FLORIDA - JANUARY 19: Coby White #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels drives to the basket against Chris Lykes #0 of the Miami Hurricanes during the first half at Watsco Center on January 19, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - JANUARY 19: Coby White #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels drives to the basket against Chris Lykes #0 of the Miami Hurricanes during the first half at Watsco Center on January 19, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Tar Heels back in the top-10 of latest ESPN Power Rankings

The North Carolina basketball program is on the rise after an undefeated week in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Wins over Notre Dame and Miami have the Tar Heels at 4-1 in conference play, and in a six-way tie for first-place in the league.

The 2-0 week also moves North Carolina back into the top-10 of the latest ESPN Power Rankings. After nearly dropping from the rankings a couple of weeks ago, the Tar Heels shot back up to No. 10 on Monday.

In a wild week that saw losses by Duke, Michigan and Virginia — two of which were the country’s only undefeated teams going into the week — the Tennessee Volunteers now hold the top spot on the list. Now with a record of 16-1, Rick Barnes’ Volunteers haven’t dropped a game since their early season non-conference defeat to Kansas.

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Duke lost to Syracuse at home to start the week, but recovered with a big win over previously undefeated Virginia on Saturday. The Blue Devils are ranked second this week, and the Cavaliers come in at third. Michigan fell to 17-1 on the season after a disappointing road loss to Wisconsin over the weekend, and the Wolverines are No. 4 in the rankings.

The Gonzaga Bulldogs are now 18-2 on the season, and remain at No. 5 in ESPN’s rankings. Michigan State won its only game of the week at Nebraska, and held on to the No. 6 spot. Despite losing to West Virginia — who hadn’t won a single Big 12 game in five tries prior to Saturday — the Kansas Jayhawks moved up to No. 7 this week.

Virginia Tech lost in blowout fashion to in-state rival Virginia early last week, but recovered with a nice performance against Wake Forest on Saturday. The Hokies dropped to No. 8 this week, while the Kentucky Wildcats’ big win at Auburn propelled them to ninth on the list. North Carolina moved up three spots to No. 10 this week, and prepare for a big home matchup with Virginia Tech on Monday night.

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Nevada, Buffalo and Houston, which combine for just three losses on the season, are ranked 11th through 13th, respectively. Texas Tech (14), Marquette (15) and Iowa State (16) each held on to their spots from last week.

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