Keeping It Heel
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UNC Basketball rises in latest ESPN Preseason Poll

By Jordan Falls

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 04: Armando Bacot #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels dunks against the Duke Blue Devils during the second half of their game at the Dean E. Smith Center on March 04, 2023 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Duke won 62-57. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 04: Armando Bacot #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels dunks against the Duke Blue Devils during the second half of their game at the Dean E. Smith Center on March 04, 2023 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Duke won 62-57. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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After the NBA Draft Entry deadline, ESPN released another way-too-early Top 25 update, and UNC basketball has found itself on the rise again.

Since the last ESPN way-too-early Top 25 update at the beginning of May, the UNC basketball program has seen a change to its roster and projected starting lineup. As a result, the Tar Heels have been elevated in the latest rankings released on Friday, June 2nd.

In the past week, the UNC basketball program received confirmation that transfer Cormac Ryan would withdraw from the NBA Draft to return to school and highly-ranked 2024 commit Elliot Cadeau would be reclassifying to join the Tar Heels in 2023. The addition of Cadeau is critical as it adds depth to the Tar Heels back-court and provides value in adding a true point guard who is great at sharing the basketball and can facilitate an offense.

The Tar Heels were No. 20 in the May edition of the ESPN way-too-early Top 25 and now find themselves ranked five spots higher at No. 15. The ESPN projected starting lineup matches what Keeping It Heel released two days ago.

PG: Elliot Cadeau

SG: RJ Davis

SF: Cormac Ryan

PF: Harrison Ingram

C: Armando Bacot

Again, this is titled a “way-too-early” ranking because it is way too early and a lot can change with rosters across the country between now and the beginning of the college basketball season. UNC basketball still has two open scholarships for the 2023-2024 season and how, or if, they choose to fill them could impact their future ranking among the media. Is the Tar Heels roster set? Or does Hubert Davis still have something up his sleeve to add more talent and depth to a reconstructed team?

Next. UNC Basketball duo among top 50 transfer rankings. dark

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