22. North Carolina (24-8)
It’s just been another one of those years where North Carolina has a pretty good team but they aren’t quite great enough to be seen as a national contender. What hurts matters is losing Caleb Wilson to injury and that really caps the ceiling on these Tar Heels. During ACC play the Tar Heels had considerable struggles on the road but did at least win their home games, including that unforgettable effort against Duke just over a month ago.
Unfortunately, the Blue Devils got revenge last week and that struggle carried over into the ACC Tournament. Despite the double-bye into the quarterfinals, North Carolina fell in their first game, losing 80-79 in a classic against Clemson. Henri Veesaar tried to carry the Tar Heels to victory with a 28-point, 17-rebound showing but they just couldn’t get back over the hump late.
Combine this lame ending to the regular season with the injury to Wilson and it’s fair to be down on the Tar Heels right now. Hubert Davis hasn’t quite turned this program back into perennial contenders since taking over half a decade ago and this year’s team almost feels like a lost cause. However, nobody should count out the talent left on this team and North Carolina will be ready to change the narrative during March Madness.