NCAA Basketball: 10 teams with most to prove during 2023 Feast Week

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 13: Head coach Hubert Davis talks with R.J. Davis #4 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during the second half of their game against the Miami Hurricanes at the Dean E. Smith Center on February 13, 2023 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

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NCAA Basketball Blake Hinson #2 of the Pittsburgh Panthers (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

4. Pittsburgh Panthers

MTE: NIT Season Tip-Off

After losing its entire backcourt this offseason, there were questions about whether Pittsburgh would be good enough to contend in the ACC again. So far, they’ve been impressive, thanks to freshman guard Carlton Carrington, who not only is averaging 18.0 ppg and 6.3 apg but also had a triple-double in his first career game.

The Panthers haven’t played anyone good yet so not everyone is on board. But they have a big opportunity in the Tip-Off tournament, taking on Florida and potentially Baylor right after. Two wins could potentially vault them in the top-25 range, whereas a couple of bad performances would push them back perception-wise after a strong start.

3. UNC Tar Heels

MTE: Battle 4 Atlantis

A year ago, signs that the preseason No. 1 Tar Heels were in trouble came in the PK85, where they lost a couple of games and could barely beat Portland. Now, all eyes are on them in this Battle 4 Atlantis where they face another bunch of quality teams.

Star big man Armando Bacot and guard RJ Davis are back but is the supporting cast better than the one from a year ago? And is Coach Hubert Davis the man for the job? How UNC looks this week could go a long way from determining what the national narrative will be for the next couple of months.

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