March Madness: UNC’s NCAA Tournament bid leads to social media backlash

The 2025 NCAA Tournament men’s basketball bracket revealed a surprising inclusion of the North Carolina Tar Heels in the “First Four” games. The Tar Heels, a storied program with a historic pedigree, found themselves facing off against San Diego State to determine the No. 11 seed in the South Region. The decision by the selection committee sparked backlash on social media, with many questioning UNC’s inclusion.

Despite North Carolina’s 1-12 record in Quadrant 1 games, which are matchups against top 30 teams in the NET rankings, Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham defended the Tar Heels’ selection process. Cunningham, who also serves as the chair of the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee, explained that all policies and procedures were followed in the decision-making process.

Vice committee chair Keith Gill clarified that Cunningham had recused himself from the discussions involving North Carolina’s inclusion, ensuring a fair and unbiased selection process. The committee ultimately voted in UNC as the final team in the field, based on a contingency vote that hinged on the outcome of the Memphis-UAB game.

While social media erupted with criticism of UNC’s inclusion, some fans pointed out the Tar Heels’ recent strong performances against top teams in the country. Despite their subpar Quadrant 1 record, North Carolina’s improved form in the latter part of the season justified their place in the tournament, according to some supporters.

The Tar Heels, with a 22-13 overall record and 13-7 in ACC play, will face San Diego State for a chance to advance to the No. 11 seed matchup against Ole Miss. The selection committee’s decision left teams like Indiana, West Virginia, Boise State, and UC Irvine on the bubble, despite their competitive resumes.

As teams and fans grapple with the disappointment of being left out of the tournament, the Tar Heels will have a chance to prove their worth on the court. The NCAA Tournament selection process may be contentious at times, but ultimately, the decisions made are final. Stay tuned to see how North Carolina fares in their matchup against San Diego State on Tuesday night.