Why isn’t UNC in March Madness?
Exactly what had transpired that saw the Tar Heels miss out their spot in March Madness?
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Not the ideal season (Getty)
The NCAA Tournament or March Madness is the biggest platform of College basketball. To not see UNC in March Madness, is somewhat of a shock for the fans and spectators of the sport. One of the most prestigious universities, North Carolina Tar Heels has been home to basketball royalty including Micahel Jordan and Vince Carter.
The omission of UNC from the NCAA Tournament has raised too many eye brows. The original blue bloods of college basketball, North Carolina Tar Heels are generally one of the favourites of the tournament. But exactly what had transpired that saw the Tar Heels miss out their spot in March Madness?
Related: How many times has the No.16 seed beaten the No.1 seed in men’s NCAA tournament history?
Why is UNC not in March Madness?
The ultimate reality is that North Carolina failed to make it to the NCAA tournament this season. As unsettling as it is, the basketball elites have actually missed out on qualification this time. Unsurprisingly, Tar Heels started the season as the AP preseason No. 1 team.
However, their four-game losing streak in the beginning phase of the season knocked them out of the poll. Later, struggles in conference play knocked North Carolina out the rankings as well. The only other way to make it to the NCAA for the Tar Heels was to win the ACC tournament. But alas, UNC crumbled in face of Virginia in the quarterfinals and hence ended their qualification dreams.
North Carolina has now become the first team in 43 years to miss out on a spot in the NCAA despite being the No. 1 preseason team. Nevertheless, fans were not really happy with the ultimate disappointment and neither were the management. However, the Tar Heels immediately declined an invitation to join the NIT following their NCAA fiasco.
Their fall from grace came just as shocking for seasonal supporters as it did for hardcore fans. The NCAA failure has evoked some furious reactions from fans as they called the current campaign a total disappointment. This is no surprise as UNC is one prestigious university who have left glorious imprints across the pages of the national championship.
Basketball Royalty
It is indeed a historic tragedy for a University of North Carolina’s stature to have missed out a place in the NCAA, that too in disgrace. The Tar Heels have won a total of six National Collegiate Athletic Association Championships till date.
Their last NCAA title came in 2017 when North Carolina defeated Gonzaga 71–65 to lift their sixth national championship. UNC remains the only college to have reached at least one Final Four for nine straight decades. Speaking of basketball royalty.
With Hall of Famers like Michael Jordan, Bobby Jones, Charlie Scott and James Worthy on their Alumni wall, North Carolina has had a glimmering legacy in the world of basketball. Will the Tar Heels be able to make a stellar comeback next season and make amends with the fans? We sure will find out next season, but now all eyes are on March Madness.
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Ritvik Malhotra
(1085 Articles Published)