If there’s one name every college basketball fan should know, it’s Andy Katz. The college basketball analyst rivals Joe Lunardi in terms of his NCAA Tournament predictions, which typically feature your North Carolina Tar Heels.
With the Big Dance officially expanding to 76 teams, Katz is debuting a new set of rankings: The Power 44. Katz broke out his Power 37 rankings a season ago, but with eight additional NCAA Tournament teams, the need for new rankings became apparent.
UNC debuts in Katz’ first-ever Power 44, landing 33rd. North Carolina finds itself sandwiched between Texas A&M (32nd) and Providence. There’s still plenty unknown for the Tar Heels, but they’re progressively getting a clearer picture of how 2026-27 will shape out.
UNC already has nine players signed to its roster, including a key returner and Chapel Hill native in Jarin Stevenson. Terrence Brown and Matt Able transferred in to give North Carolina a pair of projected starters, Sayon Keita brings plenty of hope in the paint, while Isaiah Denis is loading his breakout sophomore season.
The Tar Heels may not be done adding yet, with Florida big man Micah Handlogten in the mix. Handlogten is a North Carolina native and with his 7’1″ frame, he and Keita would form another dangerous post duo.
UNC doesn’t have its scheduled finalized yet, but expect some big-name opponents. The Tar Heels did a phenomenal job in non-conference play last season, only losing to Michigan State. When the 2026-27 campaign is over, where will North Carolina stand in the rankings? As long as a National Championship finds its way back to Chapel Hill, fans don’t care the number next to their favorite team.
