The Tar Heels, who hold a 1-12 record against Quad 1 teams this season, earned a bid despite a poor showing against the country’s top teams.

North Carolina was the last team to make the field as a surprise to many who projected the Tar Heels would miss the cut.

One of the biggest storylines about the Tar Heels making the tournament is that their athletic director, Bubba Cunningham, is the chairperson on the NCAA tournament selection committee. He explained after the bracket was released that he wasn't in the room when the decision was being made and that "all the polices and procedures were followed."

No. 1 seed Duke won three games in three days in Charlotte, North Carolina this week to capture the 2025 ACC Tournament championship for the 23rd time in program history and first since 2023. Duke defeated No.

The No. 1 Duke Blue Devils play in the ACC Tournament against the North Carolina Tar Heels. Friday's game is the third meeting of the season between the two teams.