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UNC Basketball Only Two Spots Outside Forecasted March Madness Field

The UNC basketball team might be just another win or two away from returning to the projected NCAA Tournament bracket.
Matt Giles|
UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis
UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

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North Carolina Tar Heels

It doesn't help that the UNC basketball strength of schedule drops almost every time the Tar Heels (18-11, 11-6 ACC) take the court against foes in their relatively weak conference. After all, Friday's latest ESPN NCAA Bracketology foresees only three ACC teams in the NCAA Tournament.

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Even so, UNC is firmly on the bubble.

In fact, ESPN's Joe Lunardi has the Tar Heels, riding a four-game winning streak and prevailing by double-digit points in each of their past three contests, second in his "First Four Out" column, sitting below only the Georgia Bulldogs.

The three ACC squads in Lunardi's projected field are the No. 1 seed Duke Blue Devils, No. 5 seed Clemson Tigers, and No. 7 seed Louisville Tigers. Meanwhile, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons and SMU Mustangs are the top two, respectively, in the "Next Four Out" group.

Fourth-year UNC basketball head coach and his staff are currently preparing the Tar Heels to host the Miami Hurricanes (6-22, 2-15 ACC) in the Dean E. Smith Center at noon ET Saturday (ESPN).

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Stay tuned to North Carolina Tar Heels On SI for more UNC basketball and football 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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