All Tar Heels

Bracketology Shows UNC Basketball Tournament Hopes Still Well Intact

The UNC basketball team sits on the bubble among the first four out.
Matt Giles|
UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis
UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis | Ken Ruinard / staff / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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North Carolina Tar Heels

UNC basketball, which began the season at No. 9 in the AP Top 25 Poll, has lost five of its past seven outings and hasn't been ranked since early December. Even so, Hubert Davis and his Tar Heels (14-11, 7-6 ACC) are still getting mentions in NCAA Tournament bubble discussions.

ALSO READ: UNC Guard Ian Jackson Encounters Brutal Freshman Wall

As of the latest update to the NCAA Bracketology courtesy of ESPN's Joe Lunardi on Friday, UNC appears last among the "First Four Out" of the Big Dance. The other three in that column include two more ACC schools in SMU and Wake Forest, along with VCU at the top of the list.

Of course, the Tar Heels can't afford many more losses if they hope to remain in play for an at-large NCAA Tournament bid.

And they certainly can't afford to lose to the Syracuse Orange (11-14, 5-9 ACC). UNC and Syracuse battle in the JMA Wireless Dome at 6 p.m. ET Saturday (ESPN), the first of seven games left in the Tar Heels' regular season.

ALSO READ: Cam Johnson Now Has Chance to Make NBA Tar Heel History

Stay tuned to North Carolina Tar Heels On SI for more UNC basketball news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining UNC on SI in 2023, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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