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UNC Basketball: Where Tar Heels stand in CBS Sports Top 25 and 1

By Zack Pearson

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 27: Caleb Love #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts after making a three-point basket against the Florida State Seminoles during their game at the Dean Smith Center on February 27, 2021 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 78-70. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 27: Caleb Love #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts after making a three-point basket against the Florida State Seminoles during their game at the Dean Smith Center on February 27, 2021 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 78-70. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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As we flip the calendar over to September, that means we are closer and closer to the start of a new UNC basketball season. And it will be a new era under head coach Hubert Davis.

The Tar Heels will begin preparation for the upcoming season with practices starting on September 28th and from there will get ready for the new season in the month of October. With tipoff set for November, CBS Sports has decided to update their latest Top 25 and 1 rankings for next season.

This update comes after Memphis landed Emoni Bates, setting up the Tigers in good shape for the new season.

Gary Parrish released his updated rankings and while a lot will change between now and March, it’s interesting to see where analysts have the Tar Heels in terms of early projections for the season. Parrish does have UNC in his Top 25, as they landed at No. 14 which is down one spot from the previous edition:

"The return of Armando Bacot and Caleb Love will give Hubert Davis a chance to keep the Tar Heels nationally relevant in his first season after replacing Roy Williams. They’ll be joined by a couple of proven transfers – namely forwards Brady Manek (Oklahoma) and Dawson Garcia (Marquette) – who will make UNC’s frontcourt one of the sport’s best."

The No. 14 ranking has UNC as the second-best team in the Atlantic Coast Conference behind only Duke who is No. 8. The Blue Devils did not make the tournament last year and are looking to get back on track in Coach K’s final year.

The Tar Heels do have some questions surrounding their roster still but they do have a starting five that could be the best in the conference. With Armand Bacot back and the addition of Dawson Garcia, they should be alright in the post despite losing Walker Kessler, Day’Ron Sharpe and Garrison Brooks. If Caleb Love, R.J. Davis and Kerwin Walton improve in year two, the Tar Heels could surprise a lot of people.

Next. Hubert Davis gives Puff Johnson update. dark

For more on the UNC Basketball program and the upcoming season, please check back with Keeping It Heel.

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