The Tar Heels' preseason rankings are a topic of much discussion, especially with the arrival of KenPom's findings. While some analysts have been kind to North Carolina, Ken Pomeroy's latest assessment places the team in a less favorable light. Despite this, the Tar Heels have a challenging schedule ahead, with several top-ranked opponents.
The preseason rankings have been a mixed bag for the Tar Heels. Bart Torvik gave them a respectable No. 18 spot, while Evan Miyakawa placed them slightly lower at No. 26. However, KenPom's rankings, released on Sunday, placed North Carolina at No. 33, the lowest among the three. This ranking is in line with other preseason polls, which also have the team around No. 25.
Looking back, the Tar Heels have had lower preseason rankings in recent years. In the 2021-22 season, they were ranked No. 40, but that team finished with an impressive 29-10 record and reached the National Championship Game. The following season, they were ranked No. 17, and last season, they were No. 14.
The Tar Heels' upcoming schedule is packed with tough opponents. Seven of their upcoming games feature teams ranked above them, with two in the top 10, three in the top 20, and three more between No. 21 and No. 30. In total, North Carolina will face 11 teams ranked in the top 50. BYU, ranked No. 18, is also on the schedule, with a highly anticipated exhibition game in Salt Lake City on October 24.
The Tar Heels' non-conference opponents include several ranked teams. On November 7, they face Kansas, ranked No. 21. Radford, ranked No. 143, will be their opponent on November 11. NC Central, ranked No. 328, will play them on November 14, followed by Navy, ranked No. 200, on November 18. St. Bonaventure, ranked No. 122, is on the schedule for November 25, and Michigan State, ranked No. 25, will be their opponent on November 27.
The Tar Heels' ACC opponents are also highly ranked. Duke, ranked No. 1, will play them at home on February 7 and away on March 7. Louisville, ranked No. 2, will host them on February 23. Clemson, ranked No. 3, will play them at home on March 3. NC State, ranked No. 5, will be their away opponent on February 17, while SMU, ranked No. 6, will play them away on January 3.
Wake Forest, ranked No. 7, will host the Tar Heels on January 10, and Virginia, ranked No. 8, will play them away on January 24. Pitt, ranked No. 9, will host them on February 14, and Syracuse, ranked No. 10, will play them at home on February 2 and away on February 21. Georgia Tech, ranked No. 11, will be their away opponent on January 31, and Virginia Tech, ranked No. 12, will host them on February 28.
Miami, ranked No. 13, will play them away on February 10, and Notre Dame, ranked No. 14, will host them on January 21. California, ranked No. 15, will be their away opponent on January 17, and Stanford, ranked No. 16, will play them away on January 14. Boston College, ranked No. 17, will be their opponent, and Florida State, ranked No. 18, will host them on December 30.
