Forward Harrison Barnes' announcement Monday that he will return for his sophomore basketball season at North Carolina makes the Tar Heels the probable consensus pick as the preseason No. 1 team in the country.
Barnes, the 2011 Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Year, stays with a tall and talented front line that includes 7-foot Tyler Zeller and 6-10 John Henson.
Those three were the top scorers for coach Roy Williams' team last season when North Carolina won the ACC regular-season championship.
Running the show at Chapel Hill next season will be speedy 6-3 lead guard Kendall Marshall.
And, as if they needed anymore help, the Tar Heels also return guards Dexter Strickland and Leslie McDonald, their fourth- and fifth-leading scorers last season.