The North Carolina Tar Heels completed another impressive 2-0 week, pushing their record to a perfect 4-0 to open the 2025-26 college basketball season. After earning national attention with a statement win over Kansas, the Tar Heels avoided any letdown by taking care of business against both Radford and NC Central. Each victory showcased their growing chemistry, improved depth, and the confidence of a team beginning to understand its potential.
Their consistency has now been rewarded on the national stage, as the Tar Heels climbed once again in the latest USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll. UNC moved up from No. 20 to No. 19, earning 230 total points. It marks the second-straight week the team has risen in the rankings after opening the year at No. 25 in the preseason poll. The steady climb reflects both their strong early résumé and the belief coaches nationally have in Hubert Davis’ squad.
Across the Atlantic Coast Conference, the league continues to show its strength with three programs ranked in the latest poll. Duke leads the ACC at No. 4, establishing itself early as a national contender. Louisville follows closely behind at No. 6 after an explosive start to its season. Meanwhile, NC State and Virginia also received votes, with the Wolfpack sitting just outside the Top 25 as the unofficial No. 26 team.
For UNC, the road ahead won’t be easy. As November turns into December, the Tar Heels are set to navigate one of the toughest non-conference stretches in the country. Their first major test during this run comes on Thanksgiving Day, when they square off against No. 20 Michigan State—a program known for physical play, disciplined defense, and postseason toughness.
The following week brings an even bigger challenge as North Carolina heads into the hostile environment of Rupp Arena to face No. 13 Kentucky. The matchup will offer another opportunity for the Tar Heels to prove just how real their early-season success is, especially against a blue-blood rival loaded with talent and youth.
For now, however, UNC is staying focused on the task directly in front of them. That next challenge arrives Tuesday night when Navy comes to Chapel Hill. Although not ranked, the Midshipmen are known for their discipline, effort, and ability to slow down the pace—traits that can frustrate teams who come in expecting an easy win.
Hubert Davis has emphasized the importance of staying locked in and maintaining urgency, no matter the opponent. With a veteran core blended with rising young standouts, the Tar Heels are working to build habits that will carry them beyond November and into ACC play.
As the lights turn on at the Dean E. Smith Center on Tuesday night, the mission remains simple: protect home court, keep improving, and continue building momentum before the biggest tests of the early season arrive.
