The UNC basketball team moved up to No. 3 in both the AP and Coaches polls, Monday afternoon.

The Tar Heels defeated the then No. 2 Maryland Terrapins and Davidson Wildcats last week.  Those victories, along with the return of senior guard Marcus Paige, justify the big jump from No. 9.

Paige’s first game of the season was against Maryland in the Dean Smith Center.  His 20 points led the Tar Heels to a 89-91 victory.  It was the first loss of the season for the Terrapins, who fell to No. 6 in the AP Poll and No. 9 in the Coaches Poll.

Photos from UNC vs. Maryland

On Sunday night, the UNC basketball team handed another team their first loss of the season.  The Tar Heels smoked the Davidson Wildcats, 98-65.  Five players reached double figures in scoring for the Tar Heels in the game—including all three guards, Paige, Joel Berry, and Nate Britt.

Photos from UNC vs. Davidson

Carolina returns to action on Saturday, December 12.  The 7-1 Tar Heels will play the Texas Longhorns at 5:15 PM.  Listen to the game on 97.9 FM or 1360 AM WCHL.

Duke, currently at 8-1, is No. 8 in the AP Poll and No. 5 in the Coaches Poll.  Another ACC rival, Virginia, sits at No. 10 in both polls.  Two other ACC teams, Miami and Louisville, also have spots in the top 25.  Miami is 17th in the AP and 20th in the Coaches Poll.  Louisville is 22nd and 19th.