Yes, it's only the beginning of May. We know that there is a LOT of time before the 2025-2026 season tips off.
HOWEVER, way-too-early Top 25 rankings are coming in hot, and we're here to discuss them!
Both On3 and ESPN released updated rankings based on what has occurred up to this point during the offseason. The Tar Heels find themselves included on both lists, earning spots near the bottom of the top 25.
Jamie Shaw of On3 has the UNC basketball program as the No. 23-ranked team on his list. The Tar Heels are the third-highest ranked ACC team among Shaw's rankings, trailing Louisville (No. 8) and Duke (No. 11).
Additionally, NC State rounded out Shaw's Top 25, giving the ACC four representatives on the list.
Jeff Borzello of ESPN ranked the Tar Heels a tad bit lower than Shaw did, placing North Carolina as the No. 25-ranked team among the field. Here's what Borzello had to say about the UNC basketball program:
"The status of Drake Powell and how North Carolina replaces him if he stays in the NBA draft is the last thing left for Hubert Davis and the Tar Heels to figure out this offseason. Powell is not a lock first-rounder, but it seems unlikely that he'll withdraw from the draft.
The Tar Heels missed on Cal transfer Andrej Stojakovic but landed Virginia Tech transfer Jaydon Young, who finished the season on a tear. Davis could also look overseas for his Powell replacement.
Elliot Cadeau and Ian Jackson left, but they have been replaced by transfers Kyan Evans (Colorado State) and Jonathan Powell (West Virginia). Davis also landed one of the best bigs in the portal with Henri Veesaar and has top-10 recruit Caleb Wilson coming to Chapel Hill."
There are a lot of moving parts throughout the country, and there certainly are more moves to come before the season gets underway this fall. While the UNC basketball program will have a brand-new look this upcoming season, college basketball analysts still believe that the Tar Heels have the talent to be a top 25 caliber team this fall.
After a rough 2024-2025 season, Tar Heels fans sure hope the analysts will be right!