North Carolina came in at No. 5 in ESPN’s way-too-early college basketball rankings for the 2022-23 season.

The Tar Heels made it all the way to the title game this year and could return multiple starters next season. Caleb Love, RJ Davis, Armando Bacot and Leaky Black still have eligibility remaining.

However, it’s unclear if all — or any — of those players will decide to return to Chapel Hill for another season. For now, though, ESPN is projecting returns for Davis, Bacot and Love.

Here’s an excerpt of their analysis on UNC’s chances for next season:

The only negative for the national runners-up is that Caleb Love might have played himself out the door after his outstanding performances. Armando Bacot might have already been heading in that direction. But for now, both are included in this projection — and a trio of Love, R.J. Davis and Bacot would be as good as it gets in college basketball next season. Throw in the development of some returnees and the addition of two top-50 recruits, and Davis will have plenty of talent again.

ESPN is projecting Dontrez Styles and 4-star freshman point guard Seth Trimble to join that trio in the Tar Heels’ starting lineup next season. Puff Johnson, who played well in the National Championship game vs. Kansas, is also a candidate to start.

In addition to Trimble, UNC is bringing in 4-star center Jalen Washington and 4-star forward Tyler Nickel. The class ranks No. 11 nationally and No. 3 in the ACC, according to 247Sports Composite rankings.

North Carolina will get more roster certainty in the coming weeks after decisions are made by Love, Bacot, Davis, Black and other players.