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Joe Lunardi reveals North Carolina cannot move into NCAA Tournament field with win vs. Florida State

IMG_0985by:Griffin McVeigh•02/27/23•

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Every game for North Carolina is a must-win at this point of the season. Head coach Hubert Davis is in danger of missing the NCAA Tournament after being the preseason No. 1 ranked team and making the national championship a season ago. Monday night is the next test, traveling on the road to face Florida State.

However, the Tar Heels are not in a situation where they can help themselves on Monday. ESPN’s Joe Lunardi says getting a win over Florida State does not help the resume. However, a loss could be “very damaging” and potentially put a final nail in the coffin.

“A classic ‘can only hurt’ game for the Tar Heels (FIRST FOUR OUT), who can’t play their way into the field at FSU but could suffer a very damaging loss,” Lunardi said.

North Carolina is currently the second team out, falling behind Arizona State. Eyes should be elsewhere across the country as well, with Oklahoma State being ruled the final team in by Lunardi. The Cowboys will follow UNC on ESPN, playing at home against Baylor.

A loss would slide Arizona State up into the tournament and Oklahoma State out. While this does not directly benefit North Carolina, seeing other bubble teams lose does nothing but help their chances come Selection Sunday.

North Carolina to finish season with FSU, Duke

Following the Florida State game, Duke is next up on the schedule for North Carolina. ESPN’s College GameDay will be at the Dean Dome as well, hyping up the sport’s greatest rivalry game. While the stakes are high, there is a different vibe to the occasion with the Blue Devils currently a seven-seed and the Tar Heels on the wrong side of the bubble.

The ACC Tournament will provide an avenue for UNC as well. Of course, winning the whole event based in Greensboro would automatically send Davis’ team to the dance. Nonetheless, a deep run of some sort will be needed out of North Carolina. Anything else and they will miss the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2010.

Florida State does come first, however. While their last road game against Notre Dame was a win, three consecutive losses were suffered before then. A huge 40 minutes of basketball is ahead for a true blue-blood program in danger of not playing on the biggest stage.