UNC basketball entered the offseason with high hopes of securing a formidable post presence through the transfer portal. However, those hopes were not realized, as the No. 12-ranked Tar Heels have faced challenges against ranked opponents.

UNC Basketball's Post-Portal Woes and Maui Invitational Battles

UNC's Losses to Ranked Opponents

In their first two losses, opposing big men have dominated. On November 8th, Kansas graduate center Hunter Dickinson tallied 20 points and 10 rebounds, helping the No. 1 Jayhawks secure a 92-89 victory. Then, on Tuesday night, in the Maui Invitational semifinal, the Tar Heels suffered an 85-72 defeat at the hands of No. 4 Auburn. The Tigers' fifth-year collegian Johni Broome had an impressive game, with 23 points, 19 boards, and three blocks. Auburn outrebounded UNC 42-35, and the Tar Heels' starter at the five-spot, junior forward Jalen Washington, only contributed two points and two rebounds.Even with junior forward Ven-Allen Lubin's encouraging performance off the bench, finishing with 10 points and nine boards in his 23 minutes, it wasn't enough. As many Tar Heel supporters feared in the spring, the combined efforts of Washington and Lubin, as the program's only offseason additions with a chance to replace Armando Bacot, have fallen short against big-time foes.

The Maui Invitational Third-Place Game

Now, the Tar Heels are set to face unranked Michigan State in the Maui Invitational third-place game. The tip-off is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET Wednesday at the Lahaina Civic Center (ESPN2). This game will be another test for the Tar Heels as they look to bounce back and prove their mettle.Stay tuned to North Carolina Tar Heels On SI for more UNC basketball news as they continue to navigate through these challenges.