Why UNC’s Surprising Spot Just Outside the Top 25 Has Fans and Experts Reeling
North Carolina is stirring up a buzz that you can’t just brush off this coming season. Snagging a 5-star talent like Caleb Wilson? That’s no small feat—it’s like a shot of adrenaline straight into the heart of the Tar Heels. But here’s the twist: it’s not just the fresh blood from the high school ranks turning heads. This team’s been shrewd, active, almost surgical in the transfer portal, scooping up some serious contenders ready to start. Henri Veesaar—a towering 7-footer from Arizona—stands tall not just literally but figuratively as the game-changer. Add in a string of sharpshooters and a hometown giant in Jarin Stevenson, and the roster starts to resemble a carefully crafted masterpiece. And let’s not forget Seth Trimble, coming back for one last round to step into the shoes of his predecessor and carry a leadership mantle that could very well define the team’s identity this year.
But look—paper looks good; the real question is how this squad will shake off last season’s shadows. The 27th spot in Andy Katz’s Power 37 rankings points to plenty of room for proving themselves—not quite in the elite yet, but inching closer, right between teams with strong postseason legacies. The pulse of the team’s journey, the late NCAA Tournament surge, the highs, the near-miracle comeback against Ole Miss—everything’s simmering just beneath the surface. Now, with a couple more key decisions still pending—the likes of Drake Powell and Ven-Allen Lubin—the stage is set for what might be one of UNC’s most intriguing seasons in recent memory. It’s a story still unfolding…and trust me, you’re going to want to watch every second of it.
UNC’s greatest portal addition is undoubtedly Henri Veesaar, the 7-foot center who comes over from the Arizona Wildcats. North Carolina also added its likely starting point guard in Colorado State’s Kyan Evans, a possible starter in Chapel Hill native Jarin Stevenson (who stands 6’11”), plus a pair of shooting guards in West Virginia transfer Jonathan Powell and Virginia Tech’s Jaydon Young.Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.UNC is still awaiting decisions from small forward Drake Powell, who currently is in the NBA Draft Pool – and center Ven-Allen Lubin, who intends to return despite currently being in the transfer portal. Once North Carolina knows decisions from those two, it can start making final preparations for its upcoming season.
UNC looks great on paper, but they’ll have plenty to prove after a disappointing end to their 2024-2025 campaign.Thanks to a massive recruiting victory in landing 5-star power forward Caleb Wilson, plus an extremely active transfer portal which saw them land commitment from projected starters, the North Carolina Tar Heels carry tons of excitement into their 2025-2026 basketball season.
In Andy Katz’ new (May 12) Power 37 rankings, North Carolina slots in at 27th. The Tar Heels are a spot behind Maryland – which advanced to the Sweet 16 in March – and a spot ahead of Indiana.North Carolina dismantled San Diego State in the First Four, 95-68, then nearly staged a comeback for the ages against Ole Miss. The Tar Heels dug themselves in too deep a hole against the Rebels, trailing by 18 at halftime, en route to a 71-64 defeat.
UNC made the 2025 NCAA Tournament, much to the chagrin of college basketball analysts across the nation, but quickly proved they belonged.His decision isn’t praised enough, but Seth Trimble will return to the Tar Heels for one final year, stepping into a leadership role previously occupied by RJ Davis.
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