Joe Lunardi's Saturday night bracketology update has UNC in outside looking in
Entering their Friday, March 14 ACC Tournament Semifinals matchup with archrival Duke, the North Carolina Tar Heels were a "Last Four In" team for the NCAA Tournament.
When the final buzzer sounded, UNC suffered a heart-breaking, 74-71 loss that lessened its likelihood of making the Big Dance.
North Carolina (22-13, 13-7) got some help from fellow bubble teams, most notably Boise State, which got walloped by Colorado State in the Mountain West Championship. The Tar Heels' glaring issue, though: a 1-12 record in Quad 1 games.
As of Saturday, March 15 at 8:28 p.m., Joe Lunardi moved UNC to one of his "First Four Out." Joining North Carolina in this close-but-no-cigar group is Boise State, Texas and Ohio State.
As mentioned earlier, Boise State (24-10, 14-6) got walloped earlier Saturday in its conference championship game. Texas (19-15, 6-12 SEC) lost to Tennessee in the SEC Tournament, while Ohio State (17-15, 9-11) lost its Big 10 Tournament opener to Iowa.
— Joe Lunardi (@ESPNLunardi) March 16, 2025
Beating the Blue Devils was a tall task for the Tar Heels entering Friday night, but certainly a doable one. UNC overcame a double-digit, first-half deficit and led by seven in Chapel Hill on Senior Night, then nearly erased a 20-point deficit Friday. A missed free throw and unfortunate lane violation later, Duke iced the game on a pair of Kon Knueppel free throws.
North Carolina had plenty other opportunities to pick up quad one victories. The Tar Heels should've beaten Michigan State in the Maui Invitational. Kansas was within UNC's reach. Yet North Carolina, as talented a team it is, struggled down the stretch so many times.
As we prepare to all nervously sweat during Selection Sunday, all the Tar Heels can do is hope the Selection Committee sees them worthy of a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: Joe Lunardi moves UNC to "First Four Out" in latest bracketology
-
UNC basketball sits in good spot in latest Bracketology
The UNC basketball program moved up in Joe Lunardi's latest Bracketology after beating Wake Forest.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Early Sunday morning NCAA Tournament odds not favorable for UNC basketball
The North Carolina Tar Heels need to hope for a bracketology miracle to make the NCAA Tournament. Just look at Bart Torvik's Sunday TourneyCast.Yahoo Sports - 19h -
UNC basketball odds to make NCAA Tournament according to FanDuel
The North Carolina Tar Heels are a borderline NCAA Tournament team. FanDuel odds have UNC on the outside looking in, trailing Indiana and Xavier.Yahoo Sports - 14h -
ESPN's Joe Lunardi indicates Tennessee basketball unlikely to be a No. 1 seed
Tennessee is unlikely to be a No. 1 seed regardless of its result against Auburn on Saturday in the SEC Tournament, according to ESPN's Joe Lunardi.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
NCAA tournament 2025: Selection committee chaired by North Carolina AD Bubba Cunningham explains how UNC made the field
North Carolina was the last team to make the field as a surprise to many who projected that the Tar Heels would miss the cut.Yahoo Sports - 11h -
Why did North Carolina make March Madness? NCAA selection committee vice chair Keith Gill explains
How did UNC make NCAA Tournament? NCAA Men's Basketball Vice Chair Keith Gill explains Tar Heels' inclusion in tournament.Yahoo Sports - 11h -
UNC women’s basketball to face Oregon State to open March Madness in 2025 NCAA Tournament
UNC women's basketball has made its fifth straight NCAA Tournament field. See who the Tar Heels face, predictions, updates and more.Yahoo Sports - 11h -
Will UNC basketball make the NCAA Tournament, March Madness bracket?
Following UNC basketball's loss to Duke in the ACC Tournament, the Tar Heels were asked about their chances of making the NCAA Tournament. Here's what they said:Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Bracketology: North Carolina, Texas see NCAA Tournament hopes come crashing down after brutal losses
The Tar Heels and Longhorns had every opportunity to make the field of 68 but likely won't nowCBS Sports - 1d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Antonio says he came 'close to dying' in car crash that left the West Ham striker with shattered leg
West Ham striker Michail Antonio is “100%” confident he will play again as he recovers from a car crash that left him with a “completely shattered” leg and a realization “how close I was to ...Yahoo Sports - 14m -
Updating LSU women's basketball's national title odds after NCAA Selection Sunday
Here's where LSU women's basketball stands in the latest national championship odds following the March Madness bracket revealYahoo Sports - 17m -
New Bears DE Dayo Odeyingbo discusses playing opposite Montez Sweat
New Bears defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo is excited to learn from Montez Sweat.Yahoo Sports - 17m -
Islanders Playoff Chase Update After Comeback Win vs. Panthers
ELMONT, NY -- The New York Islanders entered Sunday night's matchup against the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers six points back of the second wild-card spot with 18 games to go.Yahoo Sports - 20m -
🎥 All of the best bits from Newcastle's fantastic EFL Cup final win 🔥
Newcastle United ended English football's most infamous trophy drought, defeating Liverpool 2-1 to win the EFL Cup at Wembley on Sunday. And after a 70 year wait, you just knew the Toon Army would ...Yahoo Sports - 20m
More in Sports
-
Antonio says he came 'close to dying' in car crash that left the West Ham striker with shattered leg
West Ham striker Michail Antonio is “100%” confident he will play again as he recovers from a car crash that left him with a “completely shattered” leg and a realization “how close I was to ...Yahoo Sports - 14m -
Updating LSU women's basketball's national title odds after NCAA Selection Sunday
Here's where LSU women's basketball stands in the latest national championship odds following the March Madness bracket revealYahoo Sports - 17m -
New Bears DE Dayo Odeyingbo discusses playing opposite Montez Sweat
New Bears defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo is excited to learn from Montez Sweat.Yahoo Sports - 17m -
Islanders Playoff Chase Update After Comeback Win vs. Panthers
ELMONT, NY -- The New York Islanders entered Sunday night's matchup against the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers six points back of the second wild-card spot with 18 games to go.Yahoo Sports - 20m -
🎥 All of the best bits from Newcastle's fantastic EFL Cup final win 🔥
Newcastle United ended English football's most infamous trophy drought, defeating Liverpool 2-1 to win the EFL Cup at Wembley on Sunday. And after a 70 year wait, you just knew the Toon Army would ...Yahoo Sports - 20m