ESPN thinks highly of the UNC women’s basketball team going into next season

ESPN thinks highly of the UNC basketball women’s program going into next season in their way too early rankings.

Courtney Banghart has really turned around the UNC women’s basketball program since she arrived on campus a few years ago in Chapel Hill. And the Tar Heels are coming off one of their best seasons since 2015 as they made a run to the Sweet 16.

Now, going into next season ESPN thinks highly of the Tar Heels’ chances as evident in their updated way-too-early top 25 rankings. The Tar Heels checked in at No. 10 in Charlie Creme’s rankings.

Here is what Creme said about UNC going into next year as they are entering a big year with a lot of top talent returning for the program:

With the NCAA’s decision not to grant former and current Ivy League players the year they lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic, former Princeton star and last year’s UNC point guard Carlie Littlefield will not be back. North Carolina could still exceed last season’s 25-win total. Deja Kelly, Kennedy Todd-Williams and Alyssa Ustby will form the club’s backbone and Kelly will be a candidate for ACC Player of the Year. Paulina Paris, a top 30 recruit, could be a possible replacement for Littlefield.

That’s a reasonable ranking for a team that made it to the Sweet 16 before losing to the eventual champion. They do return Deja Jelly, Alyssa Ustby, and Kennedy Todd-Williams while also welcoming in a good recruiting class.

It’s safe to say that Banghart has this team going in the right direction.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.