2022-2023 North Carolina Tar Heels Basketball Odds & Outlook

The Tar Heels came up just short of adding yet another National Title to their trophy case, but it just wasn't meant to be. It was a wild ride for North Carolina, as they went into the tournament as an underdog despite being a blue blood program, but ended up proving just why they are. There's a ton of reasons for fans of the powder blue to be excited for the 2022-23 season as well, and that all began when some of their superstars from last season's improbable run announced their return to the school. Armando Bacot, Leaky Black, Caleb Love and R.J. Davis all announced that they will be returning to Chapel Hill for next season, which means four starters will be back on the court with tournament experience under their belts.

North Carolina is tied for the third best odds to win the NCAA Tournament next season, and with all of those starters returning, it's no wonder. They are currently +1200 to win the Championship in 2022-23, only behind the Kentucky Wildcats and Gonzaga Bulldogs, per BetMGM. Pretty much every major sports outlet has them projected as a top-10 team, and I don't envision that changing a whole lot. Many of the other top contending teams from last season saw a mass exodus of their star players and starters, whether that be to graduation as seniors, or via the NBA Draft. Their loss becomes Carolina's gain, as that is one huge advantage the Tar Heels will have next year. They already have chemistry built up, and a lot of it. These guys played in a National Championship game together, so they already know how to play off of one another, and how each plays their game.

Carolina won't rely heavily on an incoming recruiting class, but that doesn't necessarily mean that they won't have some young guys that contribute. Seth Trimble and Jalen Washington are both impact players that can carve themselves a role on this team, it will just be much more difficult to earn playing time with so many guys returning. When you combine the experience of the starters with the talent and depth that will be coming off the bench, this is one of the most dangerous teams in the country. They'll be contending once again for a national title, but you have to decide whether or not +1200 is a number you are willing to take and hold until next March.