After a statement win in one of college basketball’s most heated rivalries, North Carolina is climbing the ranks-and fast.
The Tar Heels jumped three spots in the latest AP Top 25 poll, landing at No. 11.
That’s the reward for a week that included multiple victories, capped by a dramatic win over Duke that turned heads across the country. It’s not just about beating your rival-it’s about how you do it.
And UNC’s comeback effort in that game? That’s the kind of performance that sticks with voters.
This move puts North Carolina just outside the top 10, and they remain one of five ACC programs to crack the rankings this week. It’s a sign of both the team’s current form and the strength of the conference down the stretch.
Let’s not gloss over what happened in that Duke game. The Blue Devils came in ranked in the top 10 and controlled much of the matchup-until they didn’t.
UNC’s resilience in the second half, their ability to adjust and execute under pressure, flipped the script. That kind of win doesn’t just boost your résumé-it builds belief in the locker room.
As for Duke? Despite the loss, they held firm at No. 4 in the poll.
And while that might raise a few eyebrows-especially in Chapel Hill-it’s not entirely out of left field. The Blue Devils still have just two losses on the season, and this was their first in conference play.
Voters clearly weighed the quality of the opponent and the competitiveness of the game.
It’s also worth noting that this isn’t the first time we’ve seen this kind of logic play out. Earlier this season, Kansas lost to North Carolina but remained ahead of them in the rankings. So, while Tar Heel fans might’ve hoped to see Duke slide a bit after Saturday night, the pollsters stuck to their formula: reward quality wins, but don’t overreact to close losses against top-tier opponents.
Still, there’s no denying the momentum building in Chapel Hill. With the Tar Heels surging and the ACC race heating up, we’re in for a compelling final stretch. North Carolina’s climb into the top 10 feels like a matter of when, not if-especially if they keep stacking wins like the one they just pulled off.