North Carolina deserves its March Madness bid whether we like it or not
This is For The Win’s daily newsletter, The Morning Win. Did a friend recommend or forward this to you? If so, subscribe here. Have feedback? Leave your questions, comments and concerns through this brief reader survey! Now, here’s Mike Sykes.
Good morning, Winners! Welcome back to the Morning Win. Who says the First Four can't be entertaining?
Well, I guess UNC's game wasn't really that entertaining. North Carolina walloped San Diego State 95-68 to lock in its spot in the larger NCAA tournament. It might not have been the most exciting game to watch, but it's certainly going to keep critics quiet for a couple more days.
Fans were stunned that North Carolina made it into the tournament. If we're being real? They probably shouldn't have. UNC ranked No. 36 in the NET rankings and only had one "good win." The ACC stunk. It was bad enough that Louisville — despite having a 27-7 record — could only secure a No. 8 seed. So how, by that logic, does UNC sneak in the tournament despite playing much worse basketball in the same conference? The NCAA has always focused on who you played and who you beat on the way to the tournament. UNC just didn't beat too many good teams.
The committee won't ever say it, but it's almost certainly because of the school's brand name. It's not like schools with brand names have never been left out of the tournament. But when there's one on the bubble and the other options aren't as strong? It's way easier to just let UNC in — even if it does cause a bit of a stink.
And you know what? Whatever. It's fine, man. I get it. You want to make the tournament as interesting as possible and, well, UNC makes it interesting. Even when it sucks, it's still one of the NCAA's "Blue Blood" schools. The tournament is better when North Carolina is included.
After all, it probably won't matter much. Ole Miss might boot the Tar Heels out in the first round anyway.
If they don't? Maybe we'll get a miracle run. At least we still have something to talk about. Right?
Speaking of the First Four
Now this is an exciting finish. Alabama State wins it on a Hail Mary pass from Micah Simpson in the last few seconds of the game.
The ball bounced around off of several hands before landing in the mitts of TJ Madlock, who made the game-winning layup to advance.
ALABAMA STATE TAKES A LEAD IN THE FINAL SECOND 😱#MarchMadnesspic.twitter.com/TktQHBcwo9
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 19, 2025
March Madness. Don't you just love it? Well, I mean, probably not in this instance if you're Saint Francis. But this is great.
Simpson played quarterback for his football team in middle school before switching to wide receiver and cornerback in high school. He's putting that arm to good use here.
Cam Heyward is tired of Aaron Rodgers
We feel you, Cam. NFL free agency is all but over at this point, with all the biggest names having picked their new teams when the period first started.
The only name we're all still waiting on is Aaron Rodgers, who has been tied to basically every team that seemingly needs a quarterback. The Giants. The Vikings. The Steelers. I'm sure there's another team in there somewhere.
The thing about this is that Rodgers ain't even good enough to warrant all this attention anymore. Just pick a team, my guy. We're tired of waiting. Included in that "we" is the Steelers' Cam Heyward, who says he's fed up with all this.
"Either you want to be a Pittsburgh Steeler or you don't. It's that simple. That's the pitch. If you want me to recruit, that's the recruiting pitch. Pittsburgh Steelers. If you want to be part of it, so be it. If you don't, no skin off my back," Heyward said.
Preach.
Quick hits: The March Madness betting guide ... Prep for the Severance finale ... and more
— Here are your best bets for March Madness, including a few stone-cold locks from the Rhode Island Scumbag himself.
— Caroline Darney has 11 pressing questions for the Severence Season 2 finale.
— Here's Bryan Kalbrosky with five players who could pop off some pretty big upsets in the tournament.
— This Shohei Ohtani homer shouldn't have been a homer. Charles Curtis has more on it.
— Is the First Four confusing to you? Don't worry. You're not alone. Here's a quick explainer for it.
— LaVar Ball dropped details on his health scare. Andrew Joseph has more on that here. Thank goodness he's OK.
That's a wrap, folks. Thanks for reading. Happy Wednesday.
-Sykes ✌️
This article originally appeared on For The Win: North Carolina deserves its March Madness bid whether we like it or not
-
North Carolina in the NCAA Tournament? Not after another wasted opportunity
North Carolina had a prime chance to strengthen its case for March Madness. Instead the Tar Heels crumbled again and should miss the NCAA Tournament.Yahoo Sports - 4d -
North Carolina's surprise NCAA tournament berth stunned fans
The North Carolina Tarheels are going dancing, and fans are stunned.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
March Madness: Davis perfect on six 3s as North Carolina routs San Diego State 95-68 in First Four
RJ Davis and his North Carolina teammates certainly looked as though they belonged in the NCAA Tournament on Tuesday night. Davis scored 26 points and shot 6 of 6 from 3-point range to help the ...Yahoo Sports - 15h -
North Carolina basketball makes NCAA Tournament field as last team in: Social media reacts
North Carolina surprisingly made the 2025 NCAA Tournament field as the last team in, leading to a heated reaction on social media:Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Bracketology: Why North Carolina didn't deserve lifeline from selection committee with NCAA Tournament bid
There's little to suggest the Tar Heels deserved to hear their name called on Selection SundayCBS Sports - 2d -
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 - 2d -
Democrats eager for Cooper Senate bid in North Carolina
Democrats are eager to see former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (D) jump into the Tar Heel State’s Senate race next year, seeing him as the most formidable challenger to Sen. Thom Tillis (R). ...The Hill - Mar. 11 -
Why North Carolina became the NCAA Tournament's most controversial team
North Carolina was among the "last four" into the NCAA Tournament despite going 1-12 vs. the top competition on their schedule.NBC News - 2d -
March Madness starts with a bang: Alabama State earns thrilling win and North Carolina has dominant performance
Alabama State kicked off the 2025 edition of March Madness with a thrilling 70-68 win over Saint Francis (PA) and North Carolina dominates San Diego State 95-68 in First Four games.Yahoo Sports - 14h
More from Yahoo Sports
-
PFF picks 'least favorite' free agent signing for Colts
Of the free agency moves made by the Indianapolis Colts, which one was Pro Football Focus' least favorite?Yahoo Sports - 28m -
March Madness will be Tre Johnson's last hurrah as a Texas Longhorn
Freshman Tre Johnson's time as a Texas Longhorn is quickly coming to an end. His play in the upcoming NCAA Tournament will define how he's remembered.Yahoo Sports - 33m -
2025 Men's March Madness brackets: NBC Sports experts share their Final Four, predictions
Torn between a couple Cinderella picks? Back and forth on a champion? See what our experts think about the men's tournament.Yahoo Sports - 33m -
Why Michigan football EDGE TJ Guy switched numbers from 42 to 4 in spring ball
The senior EDGE explained why the switch from 42 to 4.Yahoo Sports - 35m -
Contract details for Arizona Cardinals OLB Baron Browning
Howard Balzer breaks down the official numbers for Cardinals OLB Baron Browning's new 2-year contract.Yahoo Sports - 35m
More in Sports
-
PFF picks 'least favorite' free agent signing for Colts
Of the free agency moves made by the Indianapolis Colts, which one was Pro Football Focus' least favorite?Yahoo Sports - 28m -
March Madness will be Tre Johnson's last hurrah as a Texas Longhorn
Freshman Tre Johnson's time as a Texas Longhorn is quickly coming to an end. His play in the upcoming NCAA Tournament will define how he's remembered.Yahoo Sports - 33m -
2025 Men's March Madness brackets: NBC Sports experts share their Final Four, predictions
Torn between a couple Cinderella picks? Back and forth on a champion? See what our experts think about the men's tournament.Yahoo Sports - 33m -
Why Michigan football EDGE TJ Guy switched numbers from 42 to 4 in spring ball
The senior EDGE explained why the switch from 42 to 4.Yahoo Sports - 35m -
Contract details for Arizona Cardinals OLB Baron Browning
Howard Balzer breaks down the official numbers for Cardinals OLB Baron Browning's new 2-year contract.Yahoo Sports - 35m