NCAA Basketball: Ranking all 18 state of North Carolina teams for 2021-22 season

2. UNC

The Hubert Davis era has begun in Chapel Hill. Expectations have not shifted, though. UNC has the talent available to put the last two seasons behind them and almost immediately return to being a top 15, second-weekend team—at a minimum.

In sharp contrast to UNC’s traditional two-big-man system, a 4-out 1-in look will be the go-to for the Heels this season, prioritizing shooting and floor spacing. The 1-in will be Armando Bacot (12.3 PPG), the best returning big man in the ACC. UNC also returns senior F Leaky Black (5.6 PPG) as well as sophomores Caleb Love (10.5 PPG), RJ Davis (8.4 PPG), Kerwin Walton (8.2 PPG), Anthony Harris (3.2 PPG), and Puff Johnson. Love in particular has All-ACC potential if he can increase his efficiency on the offensive end.

Hubert Davis has landed three key transfers this offseason, highlighted by Oklahoma stretch-forward Brady Manek, who will allow UNC to maintain spacing offensively while providing size and support on the glass and defensive end. Marquette transfer Dawson Garcia has an incredibly high ceiling and will provide a somewhat similar stretch-forward look to that of Manek alongside Bacot. Virginia transfer Justin McKoy will provide wing depth and defensive versatility, although he lacks the perimeter shooting that the Heels desperately need after last season.

UNC has two incoming freshmen in Dontrez Styles and D’Marco Dunn. Both will likely see spot minutes to start the season.

It seems plausible if not probable that Hubert Davis will immediately reverse course in Chapel Hill, bringing UNC back to the national spotlight in his first season at the helm.

1. Duke

One last ride for Mike Krzyzewski in Durham. For that reason alone, Duke will have a unique experience across the landscape of college basketball this season—looking to compete at the level warranted by the nearing retirement of the greatest college basketball coach of many of our lifetimes.

Duke has a roster talented enough to make a Final Four run come March, but managing emotions with expectations will be the key factor in deciding whether or not this team reaches its potential.

The Blue Devils return three starters in F/G Wendell Moore Jr. (9.7 PPG), G Jeremy Roach (8.7 PPG), and C Mark Williams (7.1 PPG). By all accounts, Moore has put together an impressive offseason which could lead to an All-ACC run this season. Williams is also notable for his leap in production towards the very end of last season, culminating in a 23-point, 19=rebound performance in Duke’s ACC Tournament win over Louisville—the last game of their season. Senior captain Joey Baker also returns, looking to fill a crucial rotation wing and floor-spacing role.

Coach K’s final recruiting class is headlined by Paolo Banchero, who could end up being the No. 1 pick in next year’s NBA Draft. Banchero is joined by two other five-star players in versatile F A.J. Griffin and G Trevor Keels. Griffin recently sprained his knee, but the hope out of Durham is that he will be available towards the beginning of December. Duke also brings in four-star Jaylen Blakes, who gives Krzyzewski another solid option at point guard.

Duke’s most notable incoming transfer is Marquette super-senior Theo John, who is well known among Big East circles as being a physically imposing, tone-setting big man. Davidson’s Bates Jones should also see some minutes in a stretch-forward role.