UNC basketball considered by CBS Sports to be a preseason top-ten team

College basketball is less than three weeks away as the madness begins on November 4. CBS Sports' Matt Norlander created his "Top 100 And 1 best teams for the 2024-25 season. In his preseason poll, Norlander tabbed the UNC basketball program as his No. 10-ranked team.

"Davis has company in the backcourt with familiar teammates Elliot Cadeau (expect a much better player this season), Seth Trimble and Jae'Lyn Withers coming back to Chapel Hill. Belmont transfer Cade Tyson (16.2 ppg) brings shooting reinforcements, while Vanderbilt big Ven-Allen Lubin is going to play with Jalen Washington to hopefully keep UNC's frontcourt somewhat respectable. UNC's lack of interior presence is the elephant in the room when we discuss the Heels' chances of being a national title contender."

"Ironically, I'm in on Carolina as a top-10 team because of its top two freshmen. It's counterintuitive in this final year of the bonus COVID year to think that 18-year-olds could be linchpin-type players, but that is setting up as the case here. Ian Jackson was ranked No. 8 in his class. The 6-5 2-guard from the Bronx could be a streaky shooter, but he's going to be a lot of fun as a potential sometimes-starter. Drake Powell (No. 11 in the class of 2024) is a guy I can't wait to watch. Powell's a strong wing, someone who could prove to be a high-level defender right away. It wouldn't surprise me if those two wound up being top-10 freshmen."

Interestingly, Norlander's reasoning to support North Carolina at No. 10 is due to five-star freshmen Ian Jackson and Drake Powell. And rightfully so, however, coach Hubert Davis' roster goes far deeper than the two rookies. Elliot Cadeau — steering the ship. RJ Davis scoring from practically anywhere he wants. Jalen Washington stretching the defense out to the three-point line, creating driving lanes for everyone else.

There's a lot to like about this North Carolina team.

North Carolina is coming off an 84-76 exhibition victory against a Penny Hardaway-led Memphis team in the St. Jude Tip-Off Classic out of the American Athletic Conference. Seth Trimble surged for 33 points, and Elliot Cadeau dished out 13 assists. Jalen Washington added 15 points, starring in the new frontcourt look for coach Davis.

Regardless, no matter where the UNC basketball program stands on any rankings list — the results on the court will forever hold more value.