NCAA Basketball: Arizona, Indiana, and Ole Miss rise in updated 2024-25 WTE power rankings

9. North Carolina Tar Heels

There are some 20 ppg scorers with an extra year of eligibility left who also could’ve gone to the NBA Draft. One of the big decisions to watch was RJ Davis, the reigning ACC Player of the Year, coming off averaging 21.2 ppg and 3.5 apg. Recently, he announced his decision to come back for a 5th year, instantly making them a top-10 team for 2024-25.

That’s without Armando Bacot, the program’s all-time rebounding and double-double leader who averaged 14.5 ppg and 10.3 rpg. The Heels also lost starting guard Cormac Ryan and Harrison Ingram, the standout starting forward. He’s currently in the NBA Draft process but is more likely to leave than not, hence why they’re after forwards in the portal.

Who UNC did land from the portal was Cade Tyson, a 6’7 wing from Belmont. He’s one of the top pure shooters from the portal coming off a year of 16.2 ppg and 5.9 rpg, shooting 47% from three-point range. Two other big guards/wings joining the team are a pair of 5-star prospects in Ian Jackson and Drake Powell.

With point guard Elliot Cadeau back, along with key role players such as Seth Trimble, Jalen Washington, and Jae’lyn Withers, North Carolina has plenty of both star power at the top and plenty of depth overall. Look for them to add another frontcourt player assuming Ingram doesn’t return but as of now, they’re in great shape for next season.