The preseason college basketball rankings are out, and UNC is in the top 10.

The Tar Heels are No. 6 in the USA Today coaches’ poll, released on Thursday. That’s the 40th time UNC has been ranked in the preseason top 10 – and if you’re wondering, the Tar Heels finished the season in the top 10 in 31 of those previous 39 years.

View the complete poll here.

The USA Today coaches’ poll began 1950; this is the 65th year of the poll. Of those 65 years, Carolina has been ranked somewhere in the top twenty-five 61 times and somewhere in the top ten 52 times.

The ACC is well-represented as a whole, with four teams in this year’s preseason top 10: Duke is No. 3, Carolina is No. 6, Virginia is No. 8, and Louisville is No. 9.

As per usual, this year’s preseason No. 1 is Kentucky. UNC will face the Wildcats on Saturday, December 13.

Related Stories
‹
Oakes: Roy's Remarks - UK Game No Big Deal?
In those times, you didn’t see these kinds of match-ups. Now with the tournaments going on, you see these kinds of match-ups in exempt events or special one-day and two-day events. To me it’s still important, but […]
Chansky's Notebook: Newest 5-Star
The buzz is slowly growing about UNC freshman Caleb Wilson, who is a consensus top 10 recruit from the high school class of 2025.
Chansky's Notebook: Draft Crush
UNC joins Michigan and Arizona as the three schools to have at least one athlete picked in the first round of the NFL, NBA and MLB drafts.
Chansky's Notebook: The Second
Bill Chamberlain, who died recently at age 75, was the second African-American scholarship player under UNC head coach Dean Smith.
Chansky's Notebook: The Agent Effect?
When Drake Powell talks about his usage going down from high school ball to college ball at UNC, what exactly did he expect?
Check Out the Complete Schedule for UNC's 'ACC Network Takeover' July 8
The ACC Network will feature 24 hours of Tar Heel highlights from the 2024-25 athletic year Tuesday as part of its annual “ACC Network Takeover.” Programming begins at midnight and lasts through 11:59 p.m. Featured games include the women’s basketball team’s win against No. 10 NC State at Carmichael Arena back in February. Those who […]
‘It’s a Grief Project’: Author Ron Smith Details UNC Basketball History Books
When Ron Smith walked into UNC’s Wilson Library, he wasn’t looking for a passion project. He was looking for a distraction.
Chansky's Notebook: Thinking Outside the Shoe Box
Art Chansky ponders the possibility of an even more lucrative partnership between Michael Jordan and UNC men's basketball.
UNC's R.J. Davis Signs Free Agent Contract with Los Angeles Lakers
R.J. Davis is headed out west. The former UNC All-American, who spent five memorable seasons in Chapel Hill, signed a free-agent contract with the Los Angeles Lakers late Thursday night. RJ is headed to LA 📍 @ariidavis_ #CarolinaFamily | #ProHeels pic.twitter.com/pMxCwcDS9t — Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) June 27, 2025 Davis is UNC’s all-time leader in both […]
UNC Men's Basketball Reveals Non-Conference Schedule for 2025-26 Season
The UNC men’s basketball program revealed the non-conference portion of its 2025-26 regular-season schedule Friday morning. 2025-26 Non-Conference Schedule 🗓️ 🔗 https://t.co/VGOa7TbBKJ pic.twitter.com/UIl1YSS8DY — Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) June 27, 2025 As usual, the Tar Heels will begin their season with an exhibition game at the Smith Center, as Division 2 foe Winston-Salem State visits October […]
›