UNC entered the ACC tournament on the wrong side of the bubble. After a win over Boston College, what do the Tar Heels’ March Madness hopes look like?
The North Carolina Tar Heels entered the ACC Tournament as the No. 7 seed, but on the wrong side of the bubble for March Madness. They were among the top four eliminated in ESPN’s Joe Lunardi’s latest Bracketology update. So when UNC took to the court Thursday night for their second-round game and conference tournament opener against Boston College, that’s what came to mind.
Similar to this time of the season a year ago, the Tar Heels looked like a hungry team, aware that they had to dominate to make a statement to the selection committee.
Even though great player Armando Bacot injured his ankle (and returned in the second half) late in the first half, UNC was able to rely on the performances of Caleb Love and RJ Davis to win a dominating victory that allows him to advance to the ACC Quarterfinals and face Virginia, who the Tar Heels defeated last February.
But after the win over Boston College, what are the Tar Heels’ hopes for March Madness?
Will UNC take part in March Madness? Latest Bracketology update following win over Boston College in ACC Tournament
For CBS Sports’ Lunardi and Jerry Palm, UNC entered this game as a top-four eliminator. But as Palm noted in his preview of Thursday’s bubble games, this was a key win for the Tar Heels because, right now, North Carolina’s best asset is that they has no Quad 3 or 4 losses, or bad losses as you might call them.
UNC won’t be in the pack yet by beating Boston College, but it’s a step in the right direction. Better yet, the Heels got help.
While Hubert Davis’ team was moving up the ACC standings, another First Four Out team, Wisconsin, lost to Ohio State in the first round of the Big Ten tournament. That should eliminate the Badgers from the 68-man March Madness list and allow the Tar Heels one step closer to qualifying.
Friday will be the most important game. While reaching the Conference Tournament Finals would undeniably guarantee UNC’s spot in the 2023 NCAA Tournament, beating Virginia and earning another victory in Quad 1 could push them into the Last Four In, especially depending on what will happen in other conference tournaments.
In summary, North Carolina is not yet in the March Madness field. But beating Boston College, and doing it hands down, with a little help, should increase his chances. The most important help right now is simple: Keep winning.
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