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UNC Basketball Veteran Breaks Down Odd Reaction to Tournament Invite

The UNC basketball squad must beat San Diego State to secure a trip to Seth Trimble's hometown.
Matt Giles|
UNC basketball guard Seth Trimble
UNC basketball guard Seth Trimble | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

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North Carolina Tar Heels

On Sunday evening, Seth Trimble's UNC basketball teammates erupted the instant the bubble-team Tar Heels (22-13) popped up as a No. 11 seed on tap for an NCAA Tournament First Four bout versus No. 11 seed San Diego State (21-9) in Dayton, Ohio, at approximately 9:10 p.m. ET Tuesday (truTV).

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Meanwhile, the 20-year-old Trimble didn't even crack a smile, later going viral due to the blank stare on his face midway through the following 21-second clip courtesy of the UNC basketball social media team:

Of course, the junior guard's peculiar reaction — seemingly almost melancholy in nature — spawned loads of speculation as to the reason.

As it turns out, according to Trimble, he was caught by surprise when UNC suddenly appeared. He then noticed his hometown of Milwaukee, Wis., as the Tar Heels' South Regional Round of 64 destination should they defeat the Aztecs in Ohio.

"I was just shocked," the high-flying sparkplug, averaging 11.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.4 steals this season, explained during the Tar Heels' Monday evening press conference in Dayton. "I expected ourselves to make the tournament, but the show had literally just started. So, I was kind of just like zoned out a little bit or locked in, whatever you want to say.

"Then I just...it was a crazy full-circle moment for me because my dad and I, two days ago, were just talking about how we could get the opportunity to play in Milwaukee. And I always joked about with [UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis] bringing the team to Milwaukee...

"A bunch of things were going through my mind. But that was definitely the biggest one."

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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