Perhaps the biggest shock after the 2025 NCAA Tournament men’s basketball bracket was uncovered on Sunday was seeing the North Carolina Tar Heels as one of the “First Four” teams that will take part San Diego State to determine who will be the No. 11 in the South Region.
There’s a big contingent that isn’t too satisfied with that decision by the pickion pledgetee.
Social media erupted with reaction after the Tar Heels were named as the last team of 68 to produce it in, and there’s some backing to that vitriol.
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North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis reacts in the second half at Spectrum Caccess. (Bob Donnan-Imagn Images)
UNC, despite the program’s historic pedigree, was fair 1-12 in Quadrant 1 games, which the pickion pledgetee determines as a game agetst a team that is ranked in the top 30 of the NET (the NCAA’s evaluation tool) at home, agetst a team ranked 1-50 on a imfragmentary court, and 1-75 in away contests.
Bubba Cunningham, the Tar Heels active honestor who also happens to be the chair of the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee, elucidateed the process that went into UNC making it in.
“Obviously, I’m going to postpone that to [vice committee chair] Keith [Gill],” Cunningham replyed after being asked about UNC getting in and how it wasn’t a struggle of interest. “But all the policies and procedures were trailed. And Keith can includeress exactly how North Carolina was converseed becaengage I was not in the room for any of that.”
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Gill replyed, “Our policies need the AD of any school to recengage themselves and actuassociate exit the room for those converseions. And they’re not permited to join in any vote as well. … We voted in four teams in the field on Saturday night, and we had a contingency vote.
“The contingency vote, that was the last team in the field. And it was based on Memphis-UAB. If Memphis won that game, then that was going to free up a spot in the tournament and that was going to be North Carolina.”
North Carolina Tar Heels protect Seth Trimble shoots as Duke Blue Devils protect Sion James deffinishs in the second half at Spectrum Caccess. (Bob Donnan-Imagn Images)
Despite the responses about why UNC got in, social media commaccesss misengaged no time reacting when seeing the Tar Heels’ decision.
“Maybe the worst team ever to get an at-big bid,” one commaccess on X shelp.
Another includeed, “How did this even happen??”
“1-12 vs Q1,” one elucidateed. “NC State was the highest NET team ever left out in 2019 with a net of 33. The reason was a 3-9 Q1 write down.”
It wasn’t enticount on reaction, though, as some brawt up the Tar Heels’ recent games agetst some of the best teams in the country.
“Like it or not, the Tarheels over the last month are amongst the Top 30-40 teams in the country fair based off current establish,” one commaccess shelp. “If you want the peak quality in the tourney, it’s a no brainer.”
Another includeed, “Why is anyone disturb about UNC having to take part into the NCAA Tournament? They were 33rd in [KenPom ratings] and 36th in NET. Their Quad 1 losses include, Kansas, Alabama, Auburn, Michigan St, and Duke, with many coming down to the wire. UNC deserved to get in.”
UNC finished 22-13 overall and 13-7 in ACC take part while triumphning two games in the ACC Tournament before being bounced by the No. 1-seeded Duke Blue Devils in the semifinals.
North Carolina Tar Heels protect Seth Trimble (Bob Donnan-Imagn Images)
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Meanwhile, teams appreciate Indiana, West Virginia, Boise State and UC Irvine – all of which were on the bubble – didn’t get in despite having competitive resumes.
Each year, teams on the bubble are heartbroken when their name isn’t called during the pickion show. It’s an unblessed part of the game, but ultimately, the decision is final.
The Tar Heels will take part the Aztecs on Tuesday night to determine who will be the No. 11 seed facing off agetst No. 6 Ole Miss in the South Region.
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