The North Carolina Tar Heels, seeded 11th in the NCAA Tournament, will face the No. 6 seed Ole Miss Rebels in a highly anticipated Round of 64 matchup on March 21, 2025. The game will take place at 4:05 p.m. ET at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This marks an important moment for the Tar Heels, who are looking to prove their worth in the tournament after facing a controversial selection that had many questioning their inclusion.
In their latest outing, North Carolina put on an impressive display, routing the San Diego State Aztecs 95-68 in the First Four game on March 18, 2025. RJ Davis led the charge with a standout performance, scoring 26 points on a perfect 6-of-6 shooting from three-point range. Other notable contributions came from Jae'Lyn Withers, who recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, and Elliot Cadeau, who registered 9 points alongside 12 assists. The Tar Heels built a commanding lead, leading 47-23 by halftime, effectively sealing the game before it truly began.
Despite their convincing victory, North Carolina's season has been marred by struggles against Quad 1 opponents, finishing with a dismal 1-12 record. This tough stretch raised alarms among analysts and fans alike, casting doubt on their chances during March Madness. However, their recent performance against San Diego State may have shifted that narrative, as noted by those watching closely: “North Carolina's season-long results left a lot to be desired heading into Selection Sunday,” reported VSiN. The dominant win possibly alleviates some of the tensions surrounding the team’s postseason legitimacy.
Meanwhile, Ole Miss enters the tournament with its own set of strengths, notably on the defensive end. Currently ranked 26th in KenPom's efficiency rankings, Ole Miss boasts one of the best turnover rates in college basketball at just 12.8%. Their head coach Chris Beard has emphasized defensive pressure, aiming to exploit North Carolina’s vulnerabilities. “If the Rebels can effectively do that, they’ll force the Heels into some bad shots later in the clock,” stated a college basketball analysis from VSiN, underlining the tactical battle expected in this matchup.
The odds are currently in favor of North Carolina, who opened as 1.5-point favorites against Ole Miss for this first-round contest. The total points have been set at 154.5, indicating expectations of a competitive, high-scoring affair. This perhaps speaks to the confidence placed in North Carolina following their recent performance, along with the brand recognition that often influences betting trends during March Madness.
Despite the evident advantages presented by North Carolina’s roster, the matchup with Ole Miss promises to challenge their offensive capabilities. Ole Miss had an impressive early season, boasting a 15-2 record but stumbled down the stretch, culminating in a recent loss to Auburn in the SEC tournament. That inconsistency makes their current form difficult to gauge leading into this crucial game.
Interestingly, the two teams have not faced each other in nearly a century, with their last meeting dating back to the 1920s. The historical context adds another layer of intrigue to this encounter. The last documented games saw a win for Ole Miss in 1923 followed by a victory for North Carolina in 1926. Now, both teams meet on the national stage once again, presenting an opportunity for both programs to etch their mark in March Madness history.
As the Tar Heels and Rebels prepare to clash, fans and pundits alike are keenly interested in how the game will unfold given the stakes. The winner will face the victor of the No. 3 Iowa State versus No. 14 Lipscomb matchup in the next round, adding additional motivation for both teams. With everything on the line, Friday’s game promises to be a thrilling battle of wills and tactics, showcasing the resilience and heart of March Madness.
