The biggest shock after men’s basketball fittings in 2025 were revealed on Sunday was to see North Carolina Tar Heels as one of the “first four” teams to play San Diego State to decide who will be No. 11 in the South region.
There is a large quota that is not too happy with this decision from the selection committee.
Social media broke out with a setback after Tar Heels was named the last team of 68 to do it in, and there is some support for this vitriol.
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North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis responds in the second half at the Spectrum Center. (Bob Donnan-Preferred Pictures)
UNC, despite the program’s historical pedigree, was only 1-12 in Quadrant 1 games, which the selection committee decides as a game against a team ranked in the top 30 of the network (NCAA’s evaluation tool) at home, against a team ranked 1-50 on a neutral court and 1-75 in the past.
Bubba Cunningham, Tar Heels Athletic Director, who also happens to be chairman of the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee, explained the process that went into UNC that did it.
“Obviously I want to postpone it to [vice committee chair] Keith [Gill]”Cunningham replied after being asked that UNC came in and how it wasn’t a conflict of interest.” But all policies and procedures were followed. And Keith can address exactly how North Carolina was discussed because I wasn’t in the room for any of it. “
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Gill replied, “Our policies require the ad for every school to regain itself and actually leave the room for these discussions. And they are not allowed to participate in any vote. … We voted in four teams in the field on Saturday night and we had a contingency voting.
“The emergency voting, it was the last team in the field. And it was based on Memphis-Uab. If Memphis won that game, it would free up a place in the tournament and it would be North Carolina.”
North Carolina Tar Heels Guard Seth Trimble Shoots as Duke Blue Devils Guard Sion James defends in the second half at the Spectrum Center. (Bob Donnan-Preferred Pictures)
Despite the answers as to why UNC came in, commentators on social media wasted no time responding when they make Heels’s decision.
“Maybe the worst team ever to get a big bid,” said a commentator at X.
Another added, “How did this even happen ??”
“1-12 against Q1,” one explained. “NC State was the highest net team ever left out in 2019 with a net of 33. The reason was a 3-9 Q1 record.”
However, it was not completely setback as some brought Tar Heels’ recent matches against some of the best teams in the country.
“Like it or not, Tarheels over the past month is among the top 30-40 teams in the country just based on the current form,” a commentator said. “If you want the maximum quality of the tournament, it’s no brains.”
Another added, “why is someone upset over the UNC to play into the NCAA tournament? They were 33. In [KenPom ratings] and 36. In the net. Their Quad 1 TAB includes Kansas, Alabama, Auburn, Michigan St and Duke, how many come down to the cord. UNC deserved to come in. “
UNC ended 22-13 overall and 13-7 in ACC Play, winning two matches in the ACC tournament before jumping by the No. 1-Seed Duke Blue Devils in the semi-finals.
North Carolina Tar Heels Guard Seth Trimble (Bob Donnan-Preferred Pictures)
Meanwhile, teams like Indiana, West Virginia, Boise State and UC Irvine – all of which were on the bubble – came despite having competitive resume.
Every year, teams on the bubble are heartbred when their name is not called during the selection show. It’s an unfortunate part of the game, but in the end the decision is final.
Tar Heels plays the Aztecs on Tuesday night to decide who will be No. 11 seeds facing No. 6 Ole Miss in the South Region.
