The North Carolina Tar Heels have secured their place in the 2025 NCAA Tournament, but their path to Dayton has not been without complications. After being selected as the last team to enter the 68-team field, UNC faces San Diego State on March 18, 2025, at UD Arena, with tip-off scheduled for 9:10 PM ET on TruTV. Despite recent struggles including a tough loss to Duke, optimism remains high among the players and coaching staff.
The Tar Heels, boasting a record of 22-13, are eager to turn the page on their recent woes. They tied for fourth place in the ACC with a conference record of 13-7 and aimed for redemption after their narrow ACC Tournament semifinal loss to the Blue Devils. After only having three days of practice to prepare for Tuesday’s game, they must adjust and shake off the disappointment from the semifinal.
Adding to the drama, the Tar Heels faced travel troubles upon arriving at Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) for their charter flight. The NCAA-provided flight, originally scheduled to land around 4 PM on March 17, arrived nearly three hours late, causing missed media obligations and throwing off their schedule for the tournament opener. Despite the setbacks, forward Ven-Allen Lubin noted the team remained focused, stating, "We just kind of stuck with it. It was affecting everybody on the team but we stuck together. We just hung out, talked, interacted with each other. We bonded. It wasn’t an issue. We’re here now.”
With the loss to Duke fresh on their minds, the Tar Heels are hungry to make their mark against San Diego State. The matchup features two storied programs, both of which are eager to prove they can exceed their seeded positions. The Aztecs enter the game with a record of 21-9, finding themselves on the outside of the polls but boasting solid performances against quality opponents earlier this season.
The winner of this First Four game will go on to face No. 6 seed Mississippi on March 21, 2025. Head coach Hubert Davis will look to guide his team to victory, with expectations high after their successful run through the final stretch of the ACC season. RJ Davis and Elliot Cadeau will be key players to watch; Davis has averaged 15.1 points per game throughout his NCAA Tournament appearances.
Cadeau, who led the ACC in individual turnovers this season, is aware of the team's need to limit mistakes against the Aztecs' defensive prowess. Until now, UNC has managed to maintain one of the lower turnover rates nationally, though their recent performances have caused concern. Cadeau commented post-Duke game, "I feel like we deserve a chance and I feel like we can do a lot of damage in the tournament.” Their ability to protect the ball will be pivotal against San Diego State’s opportunistic defense.
Meanwhile, San Diego State's center Magoon Gwath's potential return after being sidelined since February could add another layer of complexity. Gwath, the Mountain West Rookie of the Year, was pivotal for the Aztecs before his injury, and his return could provide substantial defensive support. His ability to disrupt plays inside the paint will be tested against Carolina's offense.
North Carolina has faced challenges this season, but they have showcased resilience, especially later when they achieved victory in eight of their last ten games. After some turmoil and scrutiny from pundits and fans alike about their inclusion in the tournament field, the Tar Heels remain determined to silence their critics and prove their worth during March Madness.
With the stakes heightened and so much riding on the outcome, this matchup promises to be thrilling. Both teams will rely heavily on key players such as UNC’s Jae'Lyn Withers and San Diego State's Nick Boyd and Miles Byrd to steer their squads to victory. Boyd has been pivotal for SDSU, averaging 13.4 point per game, whereas Byrd’s versatility has proved advantageous, making him the top three-point threat for the Aztecs this season.
With their backs against the wall, the North Carolina Tar Heels now have the chance to write their own narrative. They may have entered the tournament last, but their drive and determination suggest they will not go quietly. The opportunity to advance is at their fingertips, and all eyes will be on Dayton to see if they can seize the moment and bring momentum back to Chapel Hill.
Regardless of the outcome, the historical significance of both programs adds weight to this matchup. North Carolina’s storied tradition and the Aztecs' competitive edge promise to generate excitement and determination on the court. March Madness is upon us, and for the Tar Heels, the time is now to reflect on their past and push toward the future.
