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Tar Heels Rising: North Carolina Trending Up at #13

A 28-win season and a two-spot climb signal that North Carolina is building something real.

D1Ball StaffThursday, July 16, 2026

The Tar Heels check in at #13, up two spots from their previous #15 ranking, and the résumé backs the bump. A 28-8 record speaks to consistency, toughness, and a program that found its identity over the course of the season. You don't stumble into 28 wins — you earn them, possession by possession, in a sport where margins are razor-thin.

The arrow is pointing north for North Carolina. Moving up in the rankings after a year like this isn't just about momentum; it's about belief. The Tar Heels aren't sneaking up on anyone anymore. They're arriving.

Data via ESPN · Summarized by D1Ball's editorial engine from official statistics.

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