Where does the UNC basketball team land in USA TODAY Sports’ February 26 bracketology?

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For a second time in three seasons, the North Carolina Tar Heels are in major danger of missing the NCAA Tournament.

Just like the 2022-2023 campaign, UNC entered its current season with high expectations. RJ Davis announced his decision to return for a fifth and final season, North Carolina head coach Hubert Davis brought in 5-stars Ian Jackson and Drake Powell, plus Cade Tyson had great potential to add a perimeter shooting dynamic the Tar Heels desperately lacked.

Instead, with just under two weeks left in the regular season, UNC is just 18-11 (11-6 ACC) and lacks many quality wins, a key indicator the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee looks at when choosing at-large bids.

North Carolina is winners of its past four games, though. Despite this, the Tar Heels are labeled “First Four Out” in USA TODAY Sports’ latest bracketology (February 26) – along with Xavier, Villanova and Boise State.

“The Tar Heels are doing all they can do at the moment, handling business during a four-game win streak against less-than-stellar opposition,” USA TODAY Sports’ Jordan Mendoza wrote. “Still, North Carolina can’t expect to move into the projected field without another Quad 1 victory. Duke presents that opportunity in the final game of the regular season. Otherwise, they’ll need a run in the ACC tournament.”

UNC’s quality wins are against UCLA and ACC newcomer SMU, while its lone bad loss is against Stanford, according to USA TODAY Sports.

Xavier (18-10, 10-7 Atlantic 10), has one Quad 1 victory like its UNC counterpart. Boise State (19-8, 11-5 Mountain West) is ranked 47th in the NET groupings, three spots below North Carolina. Villanova (16-12, 9-8 Big East), which has an NET ranking of 50, has two Quad 1 wins.

There’s a few different scenarios the Tar Heels need to happen for a shot at March Madness. One: beat archrival Duke and win a couple games in the ACC Tournament. Two: UNC can still lose to Duke, but needs to win the entire ACC Tournament. Three: North Carolina could beat Duke alone…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/article/where-does-unc-basketball-team-233704271.html

Author : Tar Heels Wire

Publish date : 2025-02-26 23:37:00

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