Keeping It Heel
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UNC Basketball: ACC power rankings to begin 2020

By Carson Brown

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - DECEMBER 07: Casey Morsell #13 of the Virginia Cavaliers fights for a rebound between Andrew Platek #3 and Garrison Brooks #15 of the North Carolina Tar Heels in the second half during a game at John Paul Jones Arena on December 7, 2019 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - DECEMBER 07: Casey Morsell #13 of the Virginia Cavaliers fights for a rebound between Andrew Platek #3 and Garrison Brooks #15 of the North Carolina Tar Heels in the second half during a game at John Paul Jones Arena on December 7, 2019 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /
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CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 15: Cole Anthony #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels drives to the basket against the Gardner-Webb Runnin Bulldogs during the second half of their game at the Dean Smith Center on November 15, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 77-61. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

Tier 3 Teams:

9. Pittsburgh Panthers

The Panthers have had a bland schedule to start their season. They’ve only played one game against a ranked team, and that came in the form of a blowout loss to Louisville. This Pittsburgh team brings an intensity to the defensive side of the ball, which leads them to be 16th in the country for points allowed. The thriving defense is what keeps this team in games, as their offense is way below par. They actually rank 335th in the country for offensive production, which is what’s going to hold them back all year. The defense is there for Pittsburgh, but offensively it keeps them from being a real contender in the ACC.

8. North Carolina State Wolfpack

The Wolfpack are 10-3 on the season, but have good losses. They’ve lost to Memphis by five and Auburn by six, and those are some very talented teams. This Wolfpack squad comes with a great balance to their team, as they have five players averaging double-digit points per game. Among the top of the pack is senior guard C.J. Bryce, who has been on fire in his final season. He is shooting almost 44 percent from beyond the arc, leading to him averaging 16.1 points per game. He’s truly been something special, and going forward, a lot rests on the shoulders of Bryce if this team wants to succeed down the stretch.

7. North Carolina Tar Heels

The Tar Heels have had a rough time dealing with injuries as this season has gone along. It started with losing Cole Anthony, and now they’ve lost Anthony Harris for the season. There is still potential for this team moving forward, though. Jeremiah Francis has been crucial in the absence of Anthony. He has stepped into the role of starting point guard quite well, and I’m excited to see his growth moving forward. This team is nothing excellent as of now, but the potential is still there for this team to compete late in the season if the pieces fall into place when Anthony returns.

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