{"id":729347,"date":"2026-05-09T00:30:19","date_gmt":"2026-05-09T00:30:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/729347\/"},"modified":"2026-05-09T00:30:19","modified_gmt":"2026-05-09T00:30:19","slug":"unc-basketball-secures-a-spot-in-brand-new-rankings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/729347\/","title":{"rendered":"UNC basketball secures a spot in brand-new rankings"},"content":{"rendered":"

If there’s one name every college basketball fan should know, it’s Andy Katz<\/a>. The college basketball analyst rivals Joe Lunardi in terms of his NCAA Tournament predictions, which typically feature your North Carolina Tar Heels<\/a>.<\/p>\n

With the Big Dance officially expanding to 76 teams, Katz is debuting a new set of rankings: The Power 44. Katz broke out his Power 37 rankings a season ago<\/a>, but with eight additional NCAA Tournament teams, the need for new rankings became apparent.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

UNC debuts in Katz’ first-ever Power 44, landing 33rd. North Carolina<\/a> finds itself sandwiched between Texas A&M<\/a> (32nd) and Providence.<\/p>\n

There’s still plenty unknown for the Tar Heels, but they’re progressively getting a clearer picture of how 2026-27 will shape out.<\/p>\n

UNC already has nine players signed to its roster, including a key returner and Chapel Hill native in Jarin Stevenson<\/a>. Terrence Brown and Matt Able transferred in to give North Carolina a pair of projected starters, Sayon Keita brings plenty of hope in the paint, while Isaiah Denis<\/a> is loading his breakout sophomore season.<\/p>\n

The Tar Heels may not be done adding yet, with Florida<\/a> big man Micah Handlogten<\/a> in the mix. Handlogten is a North Carolina native and with his 7’1″ frame, he and Keita would form another dangerous post duo.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

UNC doesn’t have its scheduled finalized yet, but expect some big-name opponents. The Tar Heels did a phenomenal job in non-conference play last season, only losing to Michigan State<\/a>.<\/p>\n

When the 2026-27 campaign is over, where will North Carolina stand in the rankings? As long as a National Championship finds its way back to Chapel Hill, fans don’t care the number next to their favorite team.<\/p>\n

Follow us\u00a0@TarHeelsWire<\/a>\u00a0on X and like our page on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina\u00a0Tar Heels<\/a>\u00a0news, notes and opinions.<\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC lands 33rd in Andy Katz’ first-ever Power 44 rankings<\/a><\/p>\n