The Tar Heels’ 2024-25 season started with hope, but by the time they reached the ACC semifinals, their margin for error had all but disappeared. Sitting at 22-13, UNC wasn’t just on the wrong side of the NCAA Tournament bubble—they weren’t even in the First Four Out, according to CBS Sports’ Jerry Palm. Then things got even worse. Their last shot at making a statement ended in a loss to Duke, a team that was missing its best player. At that point, UNC’s tournament hopes seemed dead in the water. Yet somehow, against all odds, they still made the NCAA Tournament. The reason? The Selection Committee. But why did they make that call?
Well, the chairperson of the Selection Committee himself broke out the silence by backing up their decision. In an attempt to quell the controversy, the selection committee’s vice chairman addressed UNC’s inclusion in an interview with CBS Sports. He made it clear that the selection process followed protocol, despite the swirling speculation.
“As the vice chair, I managed all the conversations we had about North Carolina, and we had quite a few,” vice chair, Keith said. “Our policies require the athletic director of any school to recuse themselves and actually leave the room for those discussions. They are not allowed to participate in any vote.”
“I was not in the room for any of that.”
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
— CBS Sports College Basketball (@CBSSportsCBB) March 16, 2025
He further revealed that UNC’s spot in the tournament wasn’t guaranteed. The committee took a final vote on Saturday night, selecting four teams to enter the field, while holding a contingency vote based on the Memphis-UAB game.
“If Memphis won, that would free up a spot, which was going to North Carolina,” he explained. “If UAB had won, then Memphis and UAB would have made the tournament, and UNC would have been the first team out. With Memphis ultimately securing the win, UNC’s place in the tournament was locked in. But was the process truly fair?
(Story still developing)
The post NBC & ESPN Reporters Accuse UNC of Inside Job as Selection Committee Chairman Breaks Silence appeared first on EssentiallySports.
