Preseason No. 1 North Carolina more likely to miss NCAA Tournament after loss to Virginia

The NCAA Tournament hopes for the North Carolina Tar Heels took a significant hit Thursday night time, dropping to No. 13 Virginia within the ACC Tournament, 68-59. 

UNC entered the sport on the bubble, one of many “Next Four Out” in Joe Lunardi’s Bracketology, and wanted a deep run within the ACC Tournament to solidify its case for an NCAA berth. 

North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis provides directions to his crew through the ACC Tournament towards the Virginia Cavaliers on March 9, 2023 at Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina. (David Jensen/Icon Sportswire through Getty Images)

The loss to Virginia dropped the Tar Heels to 20-13 in a season during which 4 starters returned from the 2021-22 crew that reached the championship sport. 

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“It’s not a terrific feeling,” North Carolina head coach Hubert Davis stated, in line with ESPN. “Not the expectations that we had coming into the 12 months. It was positively irritating and disappointing, however one factor I can say about this group is we battle to the tip.”

R.J. Davis, #4 of the North Carolina Tar Heels, waits to be launched earlier than a sport towards the Virginia Cavaliers within the quarterfinals of the ACC Basketball Tournament at Greensboro Coliseum on March 9, 2023 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

“I’m unhappy and disenchanted for [the players] that we’re on this place. Just very unhappy for them.”

The Tar Heels entered the 12 months No. 1 in The Associated Press preseason rankings however misplaced 4 straight video games after beginning the 12 months 5-0. 

The Tar Heels beat simply two ranked groups all season and went 11-9 in ACC play. 

If UNC doesn’t hear their title referred to as on Selection Sunday, the Tar Heels will change into the primary preseason No. 1 to miss the match since 1974-75, in line with ESPN.

Armaan Franklin, #4 of the Virginia Cavaliers, reacts after making a basket through the ACC Tournament towards the North Carolina Tar Heels on March 9, 2023 at Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina. (David Jensen/Icon Sportswire through Getty Images)

Virginia improved to 24-6 on the season with the win and can play Clemson on Friday within the ACC semifinals.

“I feel we wanted everybody, we actually did,” Virginia coach Tony Bennett stated after beating North Carolina.