5. North Carolina Tar Heels - 9-6 (2-1)
North Carolina’s overall record would seemingly put them with everyone else from 8-18 in this ranking. But they played one of the most difficult non-con schedules possible and that win over UCLA in the CBS Sports Classic is what’s keeping their NCAA Tournament hopes alive.
What didn’t help was not having starting guard Seth Trimble (14.8 ppg) for the past week, out with an injury. It affected them when they went on the road to take on Louisville, falling 83-70. Freshman Ian Jackson, who has become a star of late, had 23 points in the loss, while fellow first-year player Drake Powell chipped in 14.
Trimble was still out against Notre Dame, who had brought its star guard (Markus Burton) back. It was a close game throughout, and the Heels were set to lose until a miraculous four-point play from Elliot Cadeau gave them the 74-73 road win. The sophomore PG had 10 points and six assists, while Jackson once again starred with 27 points.
We’ll see if Trimble is back but UNC could use him in these next two games. They take on te potent SMU Mustangs at home, followed by a road game at rival NC State.