It was a less than ideal week for the Carolina men and women, but as we approach the end of the regular season, Hubert Davis and Courtney Banghart’s squads are both still ranked in the AP Top 25.
Both teams are likely out of contention for the regular season ACC title but can still earn a favorable seed in the conference tournament with a strong finish. Every one of their remaining games matters in that pursuit; combined with a bevy of ranked matchups across the country this week, there will be plenty
of excellent viewing options for fans of the Tar Heels and college basketball.
Let’s take a look at where things stand right now.
Men’s Basketball
AP Top 25
1. Michigan (60 first place votes)
2. Houston (1)
3. Duke
4. Arizona
5. UConn
6. Iowa State
7. Purdue
8. Kansas
9. Nebraska
10. Illinois
11. Gonzaga
12. Florida
13. Texas Tech
14. Virginia
15. Michigan State
16. North Carolina
17. St. John’s
18. St. Louis
19. Vanderbilt
20. Arkansas
21. Louisville
22. Miami (OH)
23. BYU
24. Wisconsin
25. Alabama
Where is UNC?
The Tar Heels tied for the biggest drop in this week’s poll, falling five spots to #16 after losing at Miami. Winning both of their games this week (at NC State, at Syracuse) won’t be an easy task with their roster in poor health but will be necessary if they want to avoid sliding further.
Biggest Winners
Michigan took the top spot for the first time in 13 seasons, thanks in large part to previous #1 Arizona losing back-to-back games. Wisconsin reentered the rankings for the first time since November at #24 after taking down a pair of top 10 teams: then-#8 Illinois on the road and then-#10 Michigan State at home. Alabama, riding a four-game winning streak, reentered at #25 after a two-week absence. Within the poll, Purdue jumped six spots to #7 after wins at previous #7 Nebraska and Iowa.
Biggest Losers
Along with UNC, Michigan State fell five spots, landing at #15 after losing at Wisconsin. Clemson went from #20 to unofficial #26 after losing to Virginia Tech at home and then-#4 Duke on the road. Kentucky went from #25 to unofficial #30 after losing at then-#14 Florida.
Conference Breakdown
- Big 12: 6
- Big Ten: 6
- SEC: 4
- ACC: 4
- Big East: 2
- WCC: 1
- A-10: 1
- MAC: 1
Marquee Matchups This Week
- #1 Michigan (24-1) @ #7 Purdue (13-5) – Tonight at 6:30 PM ET on Peacock
- #20 Arkansas (19-6) @ #25 Alabama (18-7) – Wednesday at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN
- #23 BYU (19-6) @ #4 Arizona (23-2) – Wednesday at 9:00 PM ET on ESPN
- #4 Arizona (23-2) @ #2 Houston (23-2) – Saturday at 3:00 PM ET on ABC
- #1 Michigan (24-1) vs #3 Duke (24-2) at Capital One Arena – Saturday at 6:30 PM ET on ESPN
- #6 Iowa State (22-2) @ #23 BYU (19-6) – Saturday at 10:30 PM ET on ESPN
Women’s Basketball
AP Top 25
- UConn (31 first place votes)
- UCLA
- South Carolina
- Texas
- Vanderbilt
- Michigan
- LSU
- Louisville
- Duke
- Ohio State
- Oklahoma
- TCU
- Iowa
- Maryland
- Baylor
- Kentucky
- Ole Miss
- Michigan State
- West Virginia
- Texas Tech
- Tennessee
- North Carolina
- Minnesota
- Georgia
- Alabama
Where is UNC?
The Tar Heels dropped one spot to #22 after a four-point loss at then-#11 Duke. In that game, Carolina attempted zero–yes, zero–free throws and was called for 21 fouls, while Duke shot 21 free throws and was whistled for nine fouls. Somewhere, Coach K is smiling.
Biggest Winners
Minnesota earned its first ranking of the season at #23 after winning its eighth straight game, and Georgia reentered the poll at #24 after knocking off then-#5 Vanderbilt at home. Maryland had the biggest jump within the top 25, climbing six spots to #14 after winning at then-#8 Ohio State. Additionally, TCU rose five spots to #12 after a road win at previous #12 Baylor and a home win over #19 West Virginia.
Biggest Losers
Princeton went from #24 to unofficial #28 after losing at Columbia, and Washington went from #25 to unofficial #27 after losing at then-#15 Iowa. Within the poll, Michigan State fell five spots to #18 after a home loss to #2 UCLA and a road loss to then-#7 Michigan. Also, Texas Tech dropped four spots to #20 after losing at Oklahoma State.
Conference Breakdown
- SEC: 10
- Big Ten: 7
- Big 12: 4
- ACC: 3
- Big East: 1
Marquee Matchups This Week
- #21 Tennessee (16-7) @ #17 Ole Miss (20-6) – Tonight at 7:00 PM ET on ESPNU
- #15 Baylor (22-5) @ #20 Texas Tech (23-4) – Wednesday at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN+
- #10 Ohio State (22-4) @ #23 Minnesota (20-6) – Wednesday at 8:00 PM ET on B1G+
- #11 Oklahoma (19-6) @ #24 Georgia (20-6) – Thursday at 6:30 PM ET on SEC Network
- #3 South Carolina (25-2) @ #25 Alabama (20-6) – Thursday at 8:30 PM ET on SEC Network
- #7 LSU (22-4) @ #17 Ole Miss (20-6) – Thursday at 9:00 PM ET on ESPN
- #17 Ole Miss (20-6) @ #3 South Carolina (25-2) – Sunday at 12:00 PM ET on ESPN
- #6 Michigan (22-4) @ #13 Iowa (20-5) – Sunday at 12:00 PM ET on FOX
- #21 Tennessee (16-7) @ #11 Oklahoma (19-6) – Sunday at 2:00 PM ET on ESPN
- #16 Kentucky (20-7) @ #5 Vanderbilt (24-3) – Sunday at 3:00 PM ET on SECN+
- #18 Michigan State (20-6) @ #23 Minnesota (25-2) – Sunday at 6:00 PM ET on FS1
