UNC Tar Heels Debut at No. 1 in AP Men’s college Basketball Preseason Poll
Chapel Hill, NC – The University of North Carolina men’s basketball team has been selected as the No. 1 team in the Associated Press preseason poll, released October 30, 2024. The Tar Heels, coming off a 23-14 season that ended in a first-round NCAA Tournament loss to Ole Miss, are poised for a strong campaign with a revamped roster featuring a blend of returning players and highly touted newcomers.
This ranking signifies heightened expectations for UNC under head coach Hubert Davis, as the program aims to return to championship contention. The preseason poll offers an early snapshot of national perceptions and sets the stage for a compelling season of competition, impacting recruiting, media coverage, and ultimately, NCAA Tournament seeding. The Tar Heels will open their 2024-25 season November 3 against Central Arkansas.
UNC’s projected starting lineup includes guard Kyan Evans (10.6 PPG at Colorado State), guard Seth Trimble (11.6 PPG), forward Luka Bogavac (14.9 PPG for SC Derby), forward Caleb Wilson (ranked No. 5 in ESPN 100), and forward Henri Veesaar (9.4 PPG at Arizona). Other key players expected to contribute are Andrew Rohde (9.3 PPG at Virginia), John Blackwell (15.8 PPG), austin Rapp (13.8 PPG at Portland), and Nolan Winter (9.4 PPG).
The Tar Heels face a challenging early-season test December 2 at Kentucky as part of the ACC/SEC Challenge, a game scheduled for 9 p.m. EST and televised on ESPN. This contest will provide an early measuring stick against a prominent SEC opponent.
