It was a longshot for the UNC basketball program to make the NCAA Tournament as Selection Sunday approached. The Tar Heels had one quad 1 win all season and blew multiple opportunities to earn more late in the year.
UNC became the first team since the tournament expanded the field to 64 to miss the big dance after being the preseason No. 1. While many thought North Carolina had no shot, the committee revealed after the bracket that they might have been closer than some thought.
The Tar Heels were the third team in the first four out behind Oklahoma State and Rutgers and ahead of Clemson.
FIRST FOUR OUT WERE:
Oklahoma State, Rutgers, UNC, Clemson.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) March 12, 2023
That close.
Again the Tar Heels had several chances late in the season to get a quad 1 win, including Thursday against Virginia. They also lost in four overtimes to the No. 1 overall seed, Alabama, in November as well as against Iowa State.
Losses to Duke (twice) and Pitt (twice) also didn’t help their case. It really feels like the Tar Heels were one win away from getting into the big dance and those games certainly hurt.
But all UNC has to blame is itself.
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