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UNC Basketball Finally Reaches Projected NCAA Tournament Field

One more win in Charlotte might be all it takes for UNC basketball to land an at-large bid.
Matt Giles|
UNC basketball
UNC basketball | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

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North Carolina Tar Heels

UNC basketball earned a spot in Thursday's ACC Tournament quarterfinals by tallying a 76-56 blowout win over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in Charlotte's Spectrum Center on Wednesday afternoon. And with the victory, the Tar Heels (21-12, 13-7 ACC) now have a place in ESPN's March Madness bracket.

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Entering the game, UNC sat second in ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi's "First Four Out" bubble column. Just a few hours after torching the nets against the Fighting Irish, though, the Tar Heels jumped to fourth among the "Last Four In" teams, according to his projected NCAA Tournament field.

"North Carolina moves into the field (LAST TEAM IN) following Ohio State's loss to Iowa," Lunardi wrote as the top headline in his latest update.

The Tar Heels' entry, checking in as a No. 12 seed, bumps the ACC's projected NCAA Tournament count to four. No. 1 seed Duke, No. 4 seed Clemson, and No. 7 seed Louisville are the only three.

Hubert Davis and his fourth UNC basketball squad are now gearing up to face the Wake Forest Demon Deacons (21-10, 13-7 ACC) at 2:30 p.m. ET Thursday (ESPN). Wake Forest, needing to beat the Tar Heels to keep Big Dance hopes intact, is second among Lunardi's "Next Four Out."

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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