Tag: Power 37 rankings

UNC basketball maintains Top 10 ranking in Andy Katz’ NEW Power 37 rankings

Andy Katz gave the Tar Heels a good spot in his latest Power 37 rankings.

We’re only three weeks into the 2024-2025 college basketball season, but we’re slowly starting to see several teams shape their identity.

I’ve already watched Kansas prove itself as a continued powerhouse, while Arizona might not be as good as we thought. Duke is one of the most talented teams on paper, but its achilles heel every year – experience – cost it a chance at beating Kentucky.

I can’t formulate too much of an opinion about our North Carolina Tar Heels, but I can tell you they’re exciting to watch. UNC is 2-1 through three games, looking its strongest against American and showing some initial concern against Elon.

Ahead of the stacked Maui Invitational, which begins on Monday, Nov. 25, North Carolina landed 10th in Andy Katz’ latest Power 37 rankings. These groupings are new to the 2024-2025 season, with Katz utilizing the Power 36 a season ago.

The Tar Heels found themselves trailing Iowa State (ninth), Alabama (eighth), Purdue (seventh), Duke (sixth), Kentucky (fifth), Auburn (fourth), UConn (third), Gonzaga (second) and Kansas (first).

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When Armando Bacot, Cormac Ryan and Harrison Ingram left UNC in the offseason, I’ll admit I had some initial concerns about the team’s depth – and veteran leadership.

Through three games, North Carolina has quickly showcased additional depth and new leaders – both from the transfer portal and amongst returners.

Elliot Cadeau has stepped up alongside reining ACC Player of the Year RJ Davis, giving the Tar Heels one of the country’s most dangerous backcourt duos. Drake Powell might be the best defensive player on the roster, while Seth Trimble added an offensive arsenal to his bag.

Jae’Lyn Withers and Jalen Washington are thriving in their first year as starters. Belmont tranfser Cade Tyson is starting to look more comfortable, while Ven-Allen Lubin is that productive, long-overdue big man off the bench.

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Where do Tar Heels land in Andy Katz’ latest Power 37 rankings?

North Carolina stayed in the Top 10 of Andy Katz’ Power 37 college basketball rankings.

At halftime of Friday’s highly-anticipated, early-season 2022 National Championship rematch with Kansas, I had my doubts about UNC’s ability to mount a comeback.

I’ve never been more happy to be wrong, with North Carolina coming back from a 17-point deficit and, late in the second half, holding a 4-point advantage after a Jalen Washington free throw. All-around contributions aided the Tar Heels, as they eventually took a lead (80-79 with 7:09 remaining) on a Jae’Lyn Withers layup.

The Tar Heels ended up losing to the Jayhawks, 92-89, not scoring over the final two minutes. This was pretty disappointing, considering how hard UNC fought when it looked like the game was over.

With how North Carolina played against Kansas – and comparing its performance to the hundreds of others teams who did over the weekend – North Carolina found itself at eighth in Andy Katz’ latest Power 37.

The Tar Heels found themselves sandwiched between Iowa State (seventh) and Tennessee (ninth). The Volunteers (2-1) beat Louisville on Saturday, while the Cyclones didn’t play over the weekend.

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It’s always tough to be encouraged after a loss, but UNC has every reason to be proud of how it battled against the Jayhawks. The Tar Heels were playing just their second game with an essentially, all-new starting lineup – and took it to the Preseason Number One.

If North Carolina hosted Kansas, you wonder if the outcome – and rankings – would be different. The Dean Dome is no stranger to rowdy crowds, particualrly when a top-notch opponent comes to town.

UNC’s first chance to rebound will be Friday Nov. 15 as it hosts American University. Will the Tar Heels move up the Power 35 next week?

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Where do Tar Heels debut in Andy Katz’s NEW Power 37?

Where did the UNC basketball team find itself in Andy Katz’ first Power 37 rankings of the 2024-2025 college basketball season?

In just a few short weeks, sports fans across the nation can rejoice for the start of college basketball season.

There’s so many storylines to keep track of: who will win March Madness, who’s going to break hearts along the way, how transfers will fit in with their new teams and more.

In Chapel Hill, North Carolina, there’s a ton to be excited about. The North Carolina Tar Heels are expected to compete atop the ACC with their archrivals, the Duke Blue Devils. UNC will be returning reigning ACC Player of the Year RJ Davis, bringing in a couple exciting transfers and welcome a small, talented recruiting class.

With the Tar Heels expected to be amongst the best in college basketball again, famed college basketball correspondent Andy Katz ranked them ninth in his Power 37.

Katz rolled out hist Power 36 rankings last season, but is debuting the Power 37 for this coming season.

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North Carolina has a couple of exhibitions to kick off its schedule, then officially gets started with a 9 p.m. tipoff on Monday, Nov. 4 against Elon.

UNC enjoyed a successful 2023-2024 campaign, winning the ACC Regular Season Championship and making a run to the ACC Tournament Championship. The Tar Heels then made a run to the Sweet 16, before falling to a fellow offensive juggernaut in Alabama.

North Carolina will be tested early in its season, playing a grueling non-conference schedule that includes Kansas, Dayton, Alabama itself, Florida and UCLA. UNC begins ACC play with a Dec. 7 battle against Georgia Tech, then continues non-conference play on New Year’s Day at Louisville.

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