UNC AD and committee chairman Bubba Cunningham defended the process in the Tar Heels’ surprise tournament bid
No matter the year, there is always going to be a deserving team that got left out of the men's NCAA tournament — just as there will be teams that probably shouldn't be in the field of 68.
But it's not every year that the most controversial selection comes from the same school that the committee chairman represents. That's exactly what happened with North Carolina on Sunday.
Most projections had the Tar Heels among the first four out heading into Selection Sunday. UNC was 1-12 against Quad 1 opponents and missed a prime opportunity against Duke in the ACC tournament thanks to a lane violation. Yet, when the brackets were revealed, North Carolina earned a bid in the First Four. And, of course, that came with plenty of controversy and questions.
The selection committee chairman is UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham. And as the Selection Sunday broadcast was winding down, he joined CBS to discuss the process that led to the Tar Heels' inclusion.
"I was not in the room for any of that."
— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) March 16, 2025
Chairman of the NCAA Men's Basketball Selection Committee and UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham explained the process behind the Tar Heels getting into the tournament. pic.twitter.com/vAD7qu4s3F
Cunningham told Seth Davis that he recused himself from the discussion about UNC and left the room when the Tar Heels were being voted on.
Whether or not college basketball fans bought that explanation is a different story. But UNC will have to get by San Diego State in Dayton for a shot at Ole Miss.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: UNC AD and committee chairman Bubba Cunningham defended the process in the Tar Heels’ surprise tournament bid
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