It may be six months until tip-off, but the North Carolina Tar Heels are already making headlines. College basketball analyst Andy Katz—a name as synonymous with March Madness predictions as Joe Lunardi—has unveiled his brand-new Power 44 rankings, and UNC has secured a spot at No. 33.

Why the Power 44? With the NCAA Tournament expanding to 76 teams this season, Katz evolved his previous Power 37 rankings to reflect the bigger field. The Tar Heels find themselves nestled between Texas A&M (32nd) and Providence, a solid early-season vote of confidence for a team still taking shape.

While there's plenty unknown about the 2026-27 Tar Heels, the roster is coming into focus. Nine players are already signed, headlined by key returner and Chapel Hill native Jarin Stevenson. Transfers Terrence Brown and Matt Able are expected to step into starting roles, while big man Sayon Keita brings promise in the paint. Keep an eye on Isaiah Denis, too—he's primed for a breakout sophomore season.

And UNC might not be done yet. Florida's 7'1" center Micah Handlogten, a North Carolina native, is in the mix. Pairing him with Keita could give the Tar Heels another formidable post duo, reminiscent of the program's dominant frontcourt traditions.

Non-conference scheduling is still in the works, but expect big names. Last season, UNC's non-conference slate was stellar, with only a single loss to Michigan State. If the Tar Heels can replicate that kind of early-season success, they'll be well-positioned for a deep run.

Of course, for Tar Heels fans, rankings are just a number. As long as that National Championship banner finds its way back to Chapel Hill, nobody will care about the digits next to their team's name. But for now, being in the Power 44 is a promising start.