As the NCAA Tournament kicks off, North Carolina and San Diego State are gearing up for an electrifying matchup in the First Four on Tuesday night. This marks North Carolina's second consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament under the leadership of Coach Hubert Davis, while San Diego State has consistently made its mark by participating in the Big Dance for the past five seasons.
The Tar Heels narrowly secured their spot in the tournament after a heartbreaking loss to their in-state rivals, Duke, in the ACC Tournament championship. Despite finishing the season with a less-than-stellar record of 22 wins and 13 losses, North Carolina benefited from favorable metrics, a weak bubble, and the absence of bid stealers from conference tournaments. This situation mirrors the previous year when their 20-13 record kept them out of the 2022 NCAA Tournament, but this time, they have a second chance to make a statement.
San Diego State faced an early exit in the Mountain West Conference (MWC) Tournament, losing to Boise State in the quarterfinals. However, the Aztecs have a history of performing well in March, having reached the national title game in 2023 and making a Sweet 16 appearance in 2024. This experience gives them an edge as they prepare to face North Carolina, which is a traditional powerhouse in college basketball.
Fans eager to catch the action can tune in as follows:
Date: Tuesday, March 18 Time: 9:10 p.m. ET Location: UD Arena, Dayton, Ohio TV: truTV channel locator Live Stream: March Madness LiveThis year, North Carolina's inclusion in the NCAA Tournament has been met with controversy. The Tar Heels’ record of 1-12 in Quad 1 games raised eyebrows and ignited discussions about the selection process, particularly regarding Bubba Cunningham, the athletic director at North Carolina and chair of the NCAA Tournament selection committee. Junior guard Seth Trimble acknowledged the criticism, stating, “We definitely feel like we’ve got something to prove.” This sentiment could serve as extra motivation for the team to showcase their talent on a national stage.
All eyes will be on Magoon Gwath, the 7-foot redshirt freshman for San Diego State. Coach Brian Dutcher confirmed that Gwath is expected to participate in the NCAA Tournament after recovering from a knee injury that sidelined him for the last six games. As the Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year, Gwath’s presence is crucial for the Aztecs. He led the conference in total blocks and blocks per game, while also averaging 8.5 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. His ability to shoot threes at a 37.2% rate adds another dimension to his game, making him a potential game-changer against North Carolina.
The matchup between North Carolina and San Diego State is set to be a thrilling battle as both teams aim to advance in the NCAA Tournament. With North Carolina looking to silence critics and San Diego State hoping to prove their mettle, fans can expect an intense game filled with high stakes and emotional play. Tune in to witness this exciting clash in the First Four!
