UNC Basketball Predictions for the 2023-2024 Season
![CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 13: Armando Bacot #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels is introduced during Live Action with Carolina Basketball at the Dean E. Smith Center on October 13, 2023 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 13: Armando Bacot #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels is introduced during Live Action with Carolina Basketball at the Dean E. Smith Center on October 13, 2023 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/785f394bf57c15b988573a998a22d23360259a7e7ea74248947a80215de7cffd.jpg)
Overall Record Predictions (Regular Season)
Nick Delahanty:
When trying to come up with an overall record, I looked at it in two phases:
First, the non-conference schedule, which features some games against quality opponents. The first few weeks of the season will be crucial in determining how non-conference play goes, as the Tar Heels hope to get on a roll before the Battle 4 Atlantis as well as some key games against the likes of Tennessee, UConn, and Kentucky.
The second phase is, of course, the conference slate, as the Tar Heels have a good amount of quality opponents lurking.
With 31 games on the regular season schedule, I wouldn’t be surprised to see this team win 20 games before the postseason begins. I do think they are better than last year’s squad, who won 20 games total, so I’ll say that the Tar Heels are 23-8 heading into the ACC Tournament.
Jordan Falls:
When you are talking about predicting a record over the course of 31 games, plus a potential postseason appearance, it can become difficult to predict. Looking at the schedule at first glance, I see a scenario and pathway to get through November undefeated and 7-0 with a Battle 4 Atlantis Championship.
And then the schedule really toughens up with games on neutral sites against defending National Champion Connecticut in Madison Square Garden and then traveling to Atlanta to face Kentucky 11 days later. All UNC Basketball fans are aware of what the conference portion of the schedule looks like and familiar with the teams they will face. Overall, I think this team will win between 20 and 25 games in the regular season, and I predict closer to the former with a 24-7 record.