UNC basketball lands in USA TODAY Sports way-too-early Top 25
Even with a brand new head coach and plentiful roster unknowns, UNC found itself in one group of way-too-early Top 25 rankings.
Not even a full week removed from the end of an exciting, 2025-26 college basketball season , predictions are already being made for the year ahead. In Chapel Hill, there's plenty of excitement – and unknown – thanks to UNC's hiring of Michael Malone as head coach . A 500-game winner across 12 NBA seasons, marked by his 2023 NBA Championship with the Denver Nuggets, Malone will be a first-time head coach at the collegiate level.
As fans and media outlets alike try to predict the 2026-27 campaign, let's take a look at USA TODAY Sports' too-early Top 25 Poll , in which North Carolina lands 22nd. The Tar Heels are one slot behind Tennessee , plus a spot ahead of ACC rival Louisville. "One big question was answered with the hiring of Michael Malone," Erick Smith and Paul Myerberg wrote.
"It's unclear how bringing in an NBA title-winning coach –without experience as college head coach – will shake out. But let's assume for now that most of their returning pieces stay in place. Luka Bogavac and Jarin Stevenson are good building blocks that return for their senior season, and key recruits Dylan Mingo and Maximo Adams could contribute right away.
Expect there to be major moves in the portal with Chapel Hill still remaining a desired destination. " Bogavac announced his return to UNC on Tuesday , giving the program a sharpshooter who still hasn't maxxed his potential. Chapel Hill native Jarin Stevenson will likely spend his senior campaign at North Carolina, while Mingo and Adams could very well be Day One starters.