Few things ignite debate in college basketball like Selection Sunday surprises, and North Carolina’s inclusion in the 2025 NCAA Tournament is the latest to rock the sport. The Tar Heels, with a 22-13 record and a dismal 1-12 mark in Quad 1 games, were widely expected to be on the outside looking in. Yet, when the bracket was unveiled, UNC found itself among the First Four teams, set to face San Diego State in Dayton. For sure a reason for celebration for UNC, but fans weren’t really expecting Tar Heels to dance!
As a result, many saw this selection as a blatant disregard for metrics that typically determine a team’s worthiness. Yet, amid the uproar, one national journalist made a compelling case in favor of UNC head coach Hubert Davis—an argument that shifts the focus from just the numbers to something deeper.
The primary argument against North Carolina’s inclusion is simple: teams with just one Quad 1 win don’t usually get in. Conventional wisdom suggests that strong résumés are built on beating the best teams. UNC, however, did the opposite—losing 12 of its 13 toughest matchups.
So why did the selection committee look past this glaring weakness? A key factor was UNC’s overall strength of schedule, ranked 42nd in the country. Despite the losses, they played a tough slate from start to finish. That, coupled with how they closed the season, gave them an edge over other bubble teams like Xavier, Texas, and Indiana.
North Carolina is DANCING! #MarchMadness @UNC_Basketball pic.twitter.com/MUUa1N97k6
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 16, 2025
So fans didn’t waste a minute to fight against UNC’s selection. They dived into the comment section and penned, “Maybe the worst team ever to get an at-large bid”
(Story still developing)
The post Calls Mount Against UNC’s March Madness Inclusion as National Journalist Makes Valid Argument Favoring Hubert Davis appeared first on EssentiallySports.
