The votes from Atlantic Coast Conference media members are in for the 2021-22 preseason polls: UNC men’s basketball is picked to finish third in the conference.

The ACC announced its poll results on Tuesday morning, with Duke and Florida State picked to finish first and second ahead of Carolina. The Blue Devils received more than half of the first-place votes, while Seminoles earned their highest preseason status yet during their time in the conference.

The Tar Heels are looking to work their way back to the top of the ACC. Carolina ended second-to-last in conference play during the 2019-20 season, which got suspended during the ACC Tournament due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The program finished higher in 2020-21, managing to place sixth with a 10-6 record against conference opponents. Now, with former assistant coach Hubert Davis taking over the program, Carolina will aim to finish even higher.

Two UNC players who had big roles in that rebound were also recognized by ACC media members. Junior forward Armando Bacot earned a selection to the preseason All-ACC first team, while sophomore guard Caleb Love landed on the All-ACC second team. Bacot finished last season as the team’s leading scorer, averaging 12.3 points per game and 7.8 rebounds per game. Love was second in points per game with 10.5 and also finished with 3.5 assists per game in 2020-21.

Duke freshman power forward Paolo Banchero earned Preseason ACC Player, Freshman of the Year and preseason All-ACC first team honors. Syracuse’s Buddy Boeheim, Virginia Tech’s Keve Aluma and Miami’s Isaiah Wong round out the preseason first team.

On Monday, the first Associated Press Top 25 poll of the season picked UNC as No. 19 in the country.

Love also earned some national recognition on Monday. The Basketball Hall of Fame named the St. Louis native to its candidate list for the 2022 Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Award. Love is among 20 point guards in contention for the honor given to the top college point guard in the country.

UNC is slated to begin conference play on December 5 on the road against Georgia Tech. The Tar Heels will begin their season with an exhibition game against Elizabeth City State on Friday, November 5.

To read the ACC’s full 2021-22 preseason poll, visit the conference’s website.

 

Photo via UNC Athletic Communications.

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