The 2022-23 college basketball season is all but officially over for the North Carolina Tar Heels who had their NCAA Tournament hopes go down the drain with a loss to Virginia on Thursday night. It’s been a rough season for the Tar Heels, entering the year at No. 1 in the preseason polls before struggling and going unranked.
Now, they will become the first preseason No. 1 to miss the NCAA Tournament since the field expanded to 64.
This year, the struggles mounted for the Tar Heels. This was the same team, except for Brady Manek, from last year. It even added Pete Nance and a solid recruiting class. However, it lacked consistent shooting and good defense. It never got it together.
They have one Quad 1 win.
Thursday’s game was the latest example of how poor the Tar Heels have been this year. Virginia’s defense was too much for the Tar Heels and every time UNC drew within one possession, the Cavs answered, extending the lead.
Where this UNC team goes from here is unknown. It has decisions to make as players. Leaky Black and Pete Nance will not be back. Armando Bacot, Caleb Love and RJ Davis have eligibility left.
Then there’s the coaching staff. What does it take away from this season and can it adjust to make the team better next year? Or will the Tar Heels miss out on the tournament again?
Here’s how the national media reacted to UNC’s loss.