North Carolina slides from preseason No. 1 to no NCAA bid
North Carolina head coach Hubert Davis reacts after a turnover during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Virginia at the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament in Greensboro, N.C., Thursday, March 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Chuck Burton]
North Carolina has gone from starting the season at No. 1 to missing the NCAA Tournament. And that had the Tar Heels call it a season. UNC on Sunday officially became the first top-ranked team in The Associated Press preseason poll to miss to miss March Madness since the field’s expansion to 64 teams in 1985. Rhe school announced that it had “chosen not to participate” in the 32-team NIT. In a statement, coach Hubert Davis said officials “believe now is the time to focus on moving ahead” to prepare for next season.
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North Carolina guard R.J. Davis (4) knocks down Virginia guard Kihei Clark (0) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Atlantic Coast Conference men's tournament in Greensboro, N.C., Thursday, March 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Chuck Burton
North Carolina guard R.J. Davis (4) and forward Pete Nance (32) chase the ball as Virginia forward Kadin Shedrick (21) watches during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament in Greensboro, N.C., Thursday, March 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Chuck Burton