North Carolina remains just on the outside of our updated bracketology with only Saturday’s key game against rival Duke left on the schedule before the ACC tournament, needing at least a win against the Blue Devils and perhaps one more victory in the conference tournament to make the 68-team field.
Now up to 19-11 overall and 11-8 in the ACC, good for seventh in the conference, the Tar Heels have won three in a row, including a crucial victory at home against Virginia. That’s been enough to make UNC the first team out of our bracket.
The Tar Heels still have work to do in order to avoid becoming the first national runner-up since Butler in 2011-12 to miss the tournament the following season. UNC is a pitiful 1-8 in Quad 1 games, though it has avoided any bad losses against Quad 3 or Quad 4 competition.
BRACKETOLOGY:North Carolina still out, Arizona State joins field
BUBBLE WATCH:Eight teams fighting for their NCAA Tournament lives
Follow every game: Latest NCAA Men’s College Basketball Scores and Schedules
BRACKETOLOGY: North Carolina still out, Arizona State joins field
STARTING FIVE:Big 12, Pac-12 clashes lead weekend’s five best games
JUST SHORT:Detroit Mercy’s Davis misses setting career scoring record
MAKING MARK:Big East stands alone in hiring of Black coaches
There’s a newcomer to the field in Arizona State despite Thursday’s loss to UCLA. The 20-10 Sun Devils replace 16-14 Oklahoma State, which has dropped five in a row heading into Saturday’s regular-season finale against Texas Tech.
Last four in
Southern California, Wisconsin, Auburn, Arizona State.
First four out
North Carolina, Michigan, Penn State, Oklahoma State.
Next four out
Utah State, Texas Tech, Clemson, New Mexico.
Conference breakdown
Multi-bid leagues: Big Ten (9), SEC (8), Big 12 (7), ACC (5), Big East (5), Pac-12 (4), Mountain West (3), American Athletic (2).
