Overall record: 26-3
ACC record: 14-2
National ranking: No. 2
Record in last 10 games: 9-1
Starting lineup: Jr. PG Raymond Felton (12 points per game, 7.3 assists per game), Jr. G Rashad McCants (15.8 ppg), Sr. G/F Jackie Manuel (6.1 ppg), Sr. F Jawad Williams (14.4 ppg) and Jr. C Sean May (16.7 ppg, 10.9 rebounds per game)
Overview: How deep are the Tar Heels? They have five NBA prospects on their roster, and freshman center Marvin Williams (11.3 ppg, 6.5 rpg) — projected by some to be among the first overall picks in the upcoming NBA draft — doesn’t even start.
How good are the Tar Heels? Since dropping their season-opener to Santa Clara (Santa Clara???), they have lost only twice — both to teams currently in the top five of the national rankings. On average, they outscore their opponents by 19.7 points per game.
Yes, North Carolina has reasserted itself as a national power after a few down years. After claiming the ACC regular-season championship outright for the first time since 1993, the Tar Heels are favorites to win the conference tournament. With a first-round bye, they will play Friday against the winner of the Terps-Clemson game.
Player to watch: May finished fifth in scoring and tops in rebounding in ACC competition, and played his best down the stretch, posting double-doubles in each of the last eight games. He closed the regular season in dominant fashion, leading the Tar Heels past Duke with 26 points and 24 rebounds.
