North Carolina’s historic run to the Final Four may not be the end of the story for the “Iron Five” in Chapel Hill.

Four of the five members of UNC’s starting lineup are eligible to return next season. Caleb Love, Armando Bacot, R.J. Davis and Leaky Black could all come back in hopes of finishing what they started during the 2022 NCAA Tournament.

According to coach Hubert Davis, those discussions are ongoing — and he sounds cautiously optimistic.

“The connection with this group to what we just experienced and how much they want to come back again and finish the deal, I don’t know if it’ll happen but there’s some serious conversations about it,” Davis said on his radio show on Monday night, via 247Sports. “They experienced something that they like and they don’t want to leave.

“That’s the thing that gives me the biggest smile on my face because I remember I got drafted in the first round, was going to the New York Knicks and I did not want to go. If I could have gotten a redshirt year, another year, I would have taken it and said forget about the New York Knicks because I just love this place and I love what I experienced. That’s what those guys are doing.”

Love, Bacot, Davis and Black would all likely have professional options available if they chose to pursue them. However, none of those four players project to be 1st round picks in the 2022 NBA Draft.

Another year in Chapel Hill — and a shot to bring home UNC’s 7th national title — could help improve their draft stock.

Of course, North Carolina will have to find a way to replace Brady Manek, who is out of eligibility and will not be returning. That could prove to be a very difficult task.

The deadline to declare for the NBA Draft is on April 24.