The 2023-24 UNC basketball résumé could get a big boost with a victory over Oklahoma.
UNC basketball ranks No. 11 in this week’s Associated Press Top 25 Poll. So, given that and the fact the team has either prevailed or come close while facing ranked-at-the-time foes in four of its past five outings (3-2 in that stretch), one would think the Tar Heels (7-3, 1-0 ACC) should be a projected top-four seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Well, not at all bracketologists see it that way.
On Tuesday, Fox College Hoops revealed its first March Madness bracket forecast of the season, courtesy of Michael DeCourcy. It shows UNC as a mere No. 7 seed in the East Region.
That’s the same seed as archrival Duke (7-3, 0-1 ACC). Note that the No. 21 Blue Devils’ only victory this season over a high-major opponent came against a Michigan State team (No. 12 seed in DeCourcy’s bracket) that now already has five losses.
And it’s the same seed as No. 22 Virginia (9-1, 1-0 ACC), a squad that scored only 41 points in a 24-point defeat at the hands of now-No. 24 Wisconsin (No. 4 seed in the above bracket) just a few weeks ago.
Projected No. 3 seed Clemson (9-1, 1-0 ACC) is the only other team from the conference in DeCourcy’s bracket.
As for the Tar Heels, they have an opportunity to improve their standing considerably when they face undefeated No. 7 Oklahoma (10-0, 0-0 Big 12) at 9 p.m. ET Wednesday (ESPN) as part of the Jumpman Invitational in Charlotte’s Spectrum Center.
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In the eyes of DeCourcy, Oklahoma is the third projected No. 2 seed on UNC basketball’s schedule within a 22-day span, along with Tennessee and defending national champion UConn. The Tar Heels are 1-1 in those outings, having beaten Tennessee at home and fallen to UConn in Madison Square Garden.
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