The Ohio State Buckeyes remain the number one team in the ESPN/USA Today coaches’ poll, but the big story this week is the reappearance of the North Carolina Tar Heels on the list.  The Tar Heels started the season in the Top 10, but quickly fell out of the Top 25 all together after a rough start to the season.  North Carolina has won five straight and nine of their last 10 games, getting back into the Top 25 (at No. 21 this week) just in time for a head-to-head matchup with rival Duke on Wednesday.

One big reason for the Heels’ recent success has been the play of freshman Harrison Barnes.  Barnes came into the season as a National Player of the Year candidate after a stellar high school career in Iowa, but struggled to adjust to the difference of the collegiate game.  However, as of late Barnes has been looking much more comfortable and has put up some big games as a result.  Barnes is capable of taking over games and could have the Heels rolling by the time the NCAA Tournament begins.  A big test awaits with No. 5 Duke on Wednesday, which will tell us a lot about how good the Tar Heels are actually playing.

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