Sun Mar 16 00:40:00 UTC 2025: ## North Carolina’s NCAA Tournament Hopes Hang in the Balance After Heartbreaking Loss to Duke
**CHAPEL HILL, NC** – A last-second lane violation cost the North Carolina Tar Heels a crucial victory against rival Duke on Friday night, leaving their NCAA tournament hopes hanging by a thread. Despite battling back from a 24-point deficit, UNC fell 74-71, dropping their record to 22-13. A missed free throw, nullified by the lane violation, proved to be the deciding factor in a game that had the potential to secure an automatic bid to the tournament.
The loss leaves UNC’s tournament fate uncertain, with experts offering conflicting assessments. Some predict the Tar Heels are on the outside looking in, citing their poor record against top-tier opponents (1 win in 13 games against Quad 1 opponents). Others remain optimistic, pointing to their strong overall record and favorable head-to-head matchups against other bubble teams. ESPN’s forecast model even gives them a 59% chance of making the tournament.
The team’s chances hinge on several factors, including the outcome of other conference tournament games and the final seeding of other bubble teams. With Selection Sunday just a day away, the Tar Heels, currently projected by some as “first four out” and by others as “last four in,” anxiously await their fate. The official NCAA tournament bracket will be revealed on CBS at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday.
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