The 2023-24 college basketball season is inching closer as we are under two weeks away from hoops tipping off. And as we get set to embark on a new season, CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander has his annual Top 100 and 1 list.
The analyst released the list on Tuesday morning, naming the top 100 and 1 teams in the country before the season starts. While it’s not shocking to see North Carolina on the list, their placement is a list is a little surprising.
The Tar Heels checked in at No. 28 on the list, lower than their appearances on both preseason polls that were released last week. Here is what Norlander had to say about the Tar Heels:
After we all learned a lesson last season, let’s buy low for now. Pressure is real in Chapel Hill for Hubert Davis in his third season. Last season was statistically the most disappointing in history. How many teams went from preseason No. 1 to not making the NCAA Tournament? In the modern era, just UNC. Fortunately, one of the best players in the sport is back and I think Carolina will benefit bigly. Center Armando Bacot will continue to set program records and get help from senior RJ Davis, who has been a good player in clutch moments, despite UNC’s erratic results.
The Tar Heels brought four transfers from teams with sub-.500 records who are looking to reboot their careers and freshen up the vibes around the program. Wing Harrison Ingram (Stanford) is the most promising of the bunch. He’s flanked by forward Jae’Lyn Withers (Louisville), shooting guard Cormac Ryan (Notre Dame) and SG Paxson Wojcik (Brown). Hopes are high that one of Jalen Washington or Seth Trimble will get into their groove as sophomores. Biggest mystery: How impactful will freshman point guard Elliot Cadeau be? If he hits big, UNC is going to be a top-five seed.
The Tar Heels are the fourth highest-ranked team from the Atlantic Coast Conference in the rankings behind No. 5 Duke, No. 14 Virginia and No. 19 Miami.
North Carolina will open up the season on November 6th as they face off against Radford at home.
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