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UNC is set to miss March Madness 2023 despite being ranked No. 1 in the preseason by the Associated Press. They are the first preseason AP No. 1 team to not make it to the NCAA Tournament.
The last time the Tar Heels missed March Madness was in 2010. Last year's natioal runner-up was considered one of the best teams in the nation, but star players such as Armando Bacot and Caleb Love failed to take the leap this season.
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It was a disappointing season for North Carolina (20-13), and it ended at the hands of Virginia in the second round of the ACC Tournament. Fans online were quick to take shots at Michael Jordan's alma mater on Twitter.
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UNC players comment on not making March Madness
After UNC's loss to Virginia on Thursday, several players commented on the inevitability of missing the NCAA Tournament. It was a historically disappointing season for the Tar Heels, from being last year's national runner-up to not even making March Madness.
Armando Bacot said that pressure was a big factor for North Carolina:
"The pressure, I think, can get to everybody. I mean, we're human. I'd definitely say it somewhat got into our locker room."
Meanwhile, R.J. Davis remembered their run last year to the NCAA final, but it has been a hard season.
"It’s a lot of emotions just to see from last year, the type of run we made," Davis said. "Like you said, looking from the outside in this year, it's tough. It's a tough position to be in."
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UNC's Armanda Bacot named finalist for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award
The season didn't pan out for UNC, but star big man Armando Bacot's play has been recognized. Bacot was named a finalist for the 2023 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award after averaging 15.9 points and 10.4 rebounds.
Bacot was the Tar Heel's most consistent player even though he missed several games due to an ankle injury. The award is given to the best center in Division I of college basketball.
Other finalists include Zach Edey of Purdue, Ryan Kalkbrenner of Creighton, Adama Sanogo of UConn and Oscar Tshiebwe of Kentucky. The winner will be announced during the NCAA Tournament along with the other winners of each positional award.
