Following a controversial loss to the Duke Blue Devils in the ACC Tournament, the North Carolina Tar Heels found themselves under pressure as Selection Sunday approached. Many questioned whether they had done enough to earn a spot in the NCAA Tournament,

North Carolina was the last team to make the field as a surprise to many who projected the Tar Heels would miss the cut.

One of the biggest storylines about the Tar Heels making the tournament is that their athletic director, Bubba Cunningham, is the chairperson on the NCAA tournament selection committee. He explained after the bracket was released that he wasn't in the room when the decision was being made and that "all the polices and procedures were followed."