Keeping It Heel
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UNC Basketball: Tar Heels make Top 25 ranking

By Nick Delahanty

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - DECEMBER 07: Garrison Brooks #15 of the North Carolina Tar Heels shoots in the first half during a game against the Virginia Cavaliers at John Paul Jones Arena on December 7, 2019 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - DECEMBER 07: Garrison Brooks #15 of the North Carolina Tar Heels shoots in the first half during a game against the Virginia Cavaliers at John Paul Jones Arena on December 7, 2019 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /
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The UNC basketball team is considered to be a top-25 caliber squad heading into the 2020-2021 season.

It’s never too early for some college basketball rankings!

On Sunday, CBS Sports released its updated “Top 25 and 1” rankings. These rankings serve as a way to show how CBS Sports writer Gary Parrish ranks the squads as we (hopefully) inch closer to the start of the season.

Now, you may be wondering, why is there a need to update the rankings in August? Well, there’s a very simple answer.

If you’ve been following the sports world, there is a chance that you’ve seen notifications regarding some of the top talent in the country. As the deadline to withdraw from the NBA Draft approaches, some of the college basketball’s biggest stars have elected to either stay in the draft or to return to school for another season.

With the recent shakeups, some updates needed to be made in regards to Parrish’s list. For the Tar Heels, on the other hand, the updated list does not impact them.

Parrish ranks North Carolina as the No. 16 team in his “Top 25 and 1” list. The Tar Heels are the third-highest ranked ACC squad, trailing only Duke (No. 8) and Virginia (No. 4).

The 2019-2020 season was a rough one for the Tar Heels. Their 14-19 record was the worst during the Roy Williams era in Chapel Hill. Although last season didn’t go as planned, the future looks bright for the Tar Heels’ basketball program.

North Carolina will return some key contributors including Garrison Brooks, Armando Bacot and Leaky Black. The Tar Heels also possess one of the best incoming freshman classes in the country, which is led by five-star recruits Caleb Love, Walker Kessler and Day’Ron Sharpe.

Here’s what Parrish had to say when he discussed the Tar Heels in his rankings:

"“Roy Williams just endured what he called the toughest season of his coaching career – one that resulted in five more losses (19) than wins (14). It was rough. But the 2020-21 season will be much better, even with the loss of Cole Anthony, thanks to the arrival of a top-three recruiting class featuring 5-star prospects Day’Ron Sharpe, Walker Kessler and Caleb Love. With Garrison Brooks, Armando Bacot, Anthony Harris and Leaky Black all expected back, UNC will be talented enough to push Virginia and Duke at the top of the ACC.”"

The rankings are always subject to change, but it’s nice to see the Tar Heels ranked where they are at this point. The incoming freshman class will play a big role on this year’s squad, and their development will ultimately be a factor as to whether or not the Tar Heels move up or down the rankings this season.

There’s a lot of talent on this year’s roster, and it shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone if this team is able to compete for the top spot in the ACC once the season gets underway.

Next. Do the Tar Heels have a legit shot at this newly offered target?. dark

Continue to follow the Keeping It Heel team for all the latest news and updates surrounding the UNC basketball program.

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