ESPN.com Preseason Power Rankings
1. North Carolina
It doesn't seem fair sometimes, the way good Carolina players keep sticking around. It happened in the summer of 2008, when four players delayed their pro careers in order to return to Chapel Hill and, ultimately, win the NCAA title. Now Harrison Barnes, John Henson and Tyler Zeller are hoping history repeats itself -- and they know they have the talent to make a run for it. Freshman forward James Michael McAdoo adds depth and defense off the bench to UNC's 7-foot front line. Classmate P.J. Hairston and soph Reggie Bullock should add some much-needed long-range firepower. The key to the whole thing is pass-first point guard Kendall Marshall, who has a knack for knowing where his teammates will be. And they all hope that will be New Orleans, five months from now. -- Robbi Pickeral
Advertisement
ESPN Video
- 00:43
High schooler with Down syndrome sinks 3-pointer
Leslie County (Ky.) High School's Ethan Wolfe, who has Down syndrome, checks into the game and knocks down a 3-pointer.
- 02:04
Hurts surprises family with donation toward a new home
Eagles QB Jalen Hurts surprises a family, whose child is battling cancer, with a $30,000 donation to go toward a new home.
- 01:25
Ron Rivera rings the bell after final day of cancer treatment
Washington coach Ron Rivera receives an ovation as he walks down the hospital hallway to ring the bell after his final day of cancer treatment.


