Where does UNC basketball land in these NCAA Tournament projections?
Ten months before the next NCAA Tournament starts, Andy Katz is already making predictions. Check out where he puts UNC in his first 76-team pick.
Just six months from the start of college basketball season , rosters are starting to finalize here in the middle of spring. UNC returns just one starter from last year, Jarin Stevenson , who finally gets his moment to shine in Senior Year. Terrence Brown is North Carolina's most high-profile addition, while international center Sayon Keita brings plenty of promise in the paint.
How will the Tar Heels's 2026-27 season play out? In Andy Katz' first 76-team NCAA Tournament prediction, UNC lands a 9-seed in San Antonio's South Region. Katz has North Carolina facing 8-seed Ohio State , a program hoping to make its second straight big dance.
The Buckeyes gave TCU a run for their money last March, but lost a 66-64 heartbreaker. The Tar Heels made their third-consecutive NCAA Tournament in March, but failed to win a Round of 64 game for the second straight season. UNC blew a 19-point lead to VCU , which ultimately led to Hubert Davis' firing.
šØ FIRST 76-TEAM BRACKET PREDICTION šØ @TheAndyKatz makes his first bracket prediction for the 2027 tournament, complete with matchup projections for the new Opening Round š® pic. twitter. com/hNeK8q7QDe ā NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) May 8, 2026 Michael Malone is entering his first season as a collegiate head coach, but brings a history of NBA Playoff success with him , highlighted by the Denver Nuggets' 2023 NBA Championship.