UNC Basketball: Analyst doesn’t see Tar Heels landing this 5-star recruit

Things aren’t looking good for UNC Basketball’s chances with this five-star recruiting target in the 2021 recruiting class as an analyst makes his pick

The UNC Basketball program has their sights set on numerous targets in the 2021 recruiting class, with eight offers out to prospects as it stands now.

Coming off what is one of their best classes in a while, landing six commitments in 2020, the 2021 class is very important for the future of the program. Roy Williams and his staff need to turn in a solid class as well as keep a few players from 2019 and 2020 for at least another year.

But it appears as if UNC is starting to fall behind in the race for one five-star recruit they have an offer out to.

Five-star forward Harrison Ingram has been a big target for the Tar Heels ever since they offered him months ago. While UNC was never really considered the favorite to sign him, they were one of the teams that had a legit chance to land him. However, with the COVID-19 pandemic sweeping the nation and forcing a recruiting dead period not allowing recruits or coaches to travel, things have been difficult.

And it’s possible it really hurt UNC’s chances.

Last week we wrote about Stanford and Purdue being the two favorites for Ingram with UNC sitting around third place. There’s also the threat of their Blue Blood rival Duke, Ingram’s dream school, swooping in and landing him with an offer.

On Wednesday, Rivals recruiting analyst Corey Evans was asked about Ingram’s recruitment and where he would land eventually. It’s not good news for UNC:

"Purdue and Stanford take up the upper-tier within his recruitment. Then comes North Carolina, and a mixture of Louisville, Michigan and Tennessee. The Wolverines may have some issues since it has already landed two on the perimeter, but Juwan Howard has continued to make a push. Tennessee is trying to put together the best class in America, which has intrigued Ingram.Louisville wants the home run hit and has centered upon the five-star. I don’t see it in the cards for UNC, at least with where things stand now. However, its in-state rival, Duke, could make a late run if an offer is eventually made. The Blue Devils have continued their discourse with him and while they sit with AJ Griffin’s commitment, Ingram comes more in the ballhandling variety compared to Griffin’s slashing, scoring attack."

Now this is Evans’ cut feeling on a prediction right now and things could change. Recruitments get weird and Ingram doesn’t look like he’s ready to commit right away as this could go into the Fall or Winter.

The longer he waits, the more it has to help UNC’s chances especially if they can visit him or get him on campus. But as of now, it’s not looking good for this five-star to land in Chapel Hill.

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