NCAA Basketball: Ranking the 4 teams in 2021 Hall of Fame Tip-Off field

4. North Carolina Tar Heels

Key losses: Day’Ron Sharpe, Garrison Brooks, Walker Kessler

Key additions: Brady Manek, D’Marco Dunn, Justin McKoy

Despite losing so much frontcourt production from this past season, the Tar Heels likely will be in a better position to succeed from a roster standpoint. The addition of Oklahoma stretch forward Brady Manek will space out the offense, allowing sophomore big man Armando Bacot to be dominant in the paint.

But the most important thing for UNC is the return of point guard Caleb Love. The former five-star recruit was solid as a freshman but in order for them to be a contender in the ACC, he’ll have to have a breakout sophomore campaign. If he takes the next step in his development, new head coach Hubert Davis will get off to a strong start. But he’ll have his hands fun on the 20th and 21st of November.

3. Tennessee Volunteers

Key losses: Keon Johnson, Jaden Springer

Key additions: Kennedy Chandler, Justin Powell, Jonas Aidoo, Brandon Huntley-Hatfield

Although the Vols will be without future lottery picks Johnson and Springer, there’s hope that the team will be much more balanced for next season. Big man John Fulkerson will be back for a 5th year, while five-star freshman Huntley-Hatfield and top-50 forward Aidoo will provide needed depth in the frontcourt.

There’s optimism that Auburn transfer Justin Powell and incoming five-star guard will replace what Springer and Johnson did in the backcourt but Tennessee’s ceiling will depend on the supporting cast. When the team struggled in the ladder half of last season, guards Victor Bailey, Josiah Jordan-James, and Santiago Véscovi all saw their offensive production drop. Relying on the freshman can only do so much so it’ll be up to the veterans to make them SEC title contenders.