Does Hubert Davis have a trick up his sleeve leading up to the 2025-26 season? That's what plenty of North Carolina basketball fans are hoping, as it feels like there's still a big piece missing for this roster. Perhaps the wing help everyone has been calling for will be on the way?
Who knows how things are going to shape out there, but it's safe to say that some analysts aren't overly bullish on the Tar Heels with how the squad is currently looking. On3 recently came out with its new way-too-early Top 25 for next college hoops season and UNC barely made the cut. That's right, the Heels have checked in at No. 24 on the list.
UNC checks in at No. 24 in On3's new early Top 25 basketball rankings
Per On3's James Fletcher, UNC is sandwiched between No. 23 Michigan State and No. 25 UCLA. Is this a fair spot for the Heels? Fletcher is clearly worried about the big-time departures from last season. The list of course includes Elliot Cadeau, Drake Powell, RJ Davis and others.
Things are still a bit up in the air with veteran big man Ven-Allen Lubin too, as there's now a ton of buzz that he could end up signing with North Carolina State. Lubin entered the transfer portal earlier this year, but he said that the plan was to return to Chapel Hill. No one knows if that will happen or not.
At the wing spot, Davis is reportedly looking at European prospects, but UNC fans are also keeping a close eye on Jamir Watkins. The former Florida State standout is currently going through the NBA Draft process, but there's still a chance he pulls his name out before the deadline to do so comes and goes. Potentially adding Watkins would give Davis and the Heels a major boost.
For now, there's still some questions that need to be answered for this team, which is probably why On3 has North Carolina pretty dang low. Still, there's plenty of time for things to change there, especially if Davis can pull off a big recruiting win this late in the offseason for a touted target.