All Tar Heels

UNC Basketball Sees Ranking Drop Despite 2-0 Start

UNC basketball fell one notch to No. 20 in this week's AP Top 25 Poll.
Matt Giles|
UNC basketball (Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports)

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North Carolina Tar Heels

In the 2023-24 UNC basketball team's first two games, the Tar Heels struggled at times on defense, taking their time in guaranteeing double-digit home wins. Nevertheless, they defeated Radford, 86-70, in the season opener before recording a 90-68 victory over Lehigh on Sunday.

Despite their 2-0 start, the Tar Heels fell one spot to No. 20 in this week's AP Top 25 Poll, released on Monday afternoon.

UNC wasn't the only undefeated squad that dropped a smidge. Texas (2-0) now sits at No. 19 after ranking No. 18 in the preseason AP Poll. And Kentucky (2-0) slid from No. 16 to No. 17. Also, it's worth pointing out that, like UNC, Texas and Kentucky each recorded double-digit wins in their outings.

Although Duke lost to now-No. 3 Arizona in Durham on Friday night, the Blue Devils (1-1) are the highest-ranked ACC team this week. They fell from preseason No. 2 to No. 9.

Duke, UNC, and No. 12 Miami (2-0) are the only three from the conference with a ranking by their name. However, Virginia is close behind, sitting second among "others receiving votes."

The Tar Heels next host unranked UC Riverside (1-2) at 8 p.m. ET Friday in the Dean E. Smith Center. Then, third-year head coach Hubert Davis' talented bunch will head to the Bahamas for next week's Battle 4 Atlantis to play three games in three days, beginning with a matchup against Northern Iowa on Nov. 22.

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Stay tuned to All Tar Heels on SI.com for more UNC basketball news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining UNC on SI in 2023, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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