Michael Malone and the UNC basketball program are finally starting to get some national respect.
ESPN released its way-too-early top 25 for the 2026-2027 season, one that does factor in Kentucky's addition of Milan Momcilovic. For the first time, UNC has jumped into the mix, but is its current ranking where it should be?
UNC just sneaks into ESPN's way-too-early top 25 rankings
Jeff Borzello tabbed North Carolina as the No. 25-ranked team among the field, as this is what he had to say about the Tar Heels heading into the summer months:
After a drawn-out coaching search left Carolina slightly behind the curve when it came to the transfer portal, first-year coach Michael Malone has actually done a pretty impressive job building out the top of his roster. Jarin Stevenson is back as a starter, Matt Able (NC State) probably will be a first-round pick after next season, Neoklis Avdalas (Virginia Tech) also probably will play at the next level and Terrence Brown (Utah) is an ultra-productive guard at multiple schools. Henri Veesaar's departure hurt, but the international tandem of Alex Samodurov and Sayon Keita offers a very high ceiling center.
Projected starting lineup
Terrence Brown (19.9 PPG at Utah)
Matt Able (8.8 PPG at NC State)
Neoklis Avdalas (12.1 PPG at Virginia Tech)
Jarin Stevenson (8.1 PPG)
Alex Samodurov (international)
Sure, it was justified to have North Carolina unranked as they worked to piece together their first roster of the Michael Malone era. However, now that the Tar Heels rotation appears to be set (especially after Alexandros Samodurov committed to the program), this team has more of a top-15 to 20 feel to it, as opposed to barely being ranked.
UNC’s 5-star center is the biggest winner of Alexandros Samodurov committing
Of course, the rankings mean essentially nothing, but at this current moment, the Tar Heels roster isn't earning much respect from the rest of the country.
It's safe to say that this roster will continue to be undervalued until we see them on the court together come November. If all the pieces gel the way they are projected to be, this team's ceiling is much higher than the current rankings they currently hold.
For now, simply keep receipts and hope that we can pull them out of the archives once we get into the 2026-2027 season.
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