NCAA tournament 2025: Selection committee chaired by North Carolina AD Bubba Cunningham explains how UNC made the field - Yahoo Sports

Underdog Uprising? Bubba Cunningham's Selection Committee Defends UNC's NCAA Tournament Berth

The NCAA tournament bracket is set, and already controversy is brewing. Many are questioning the inclusion of the North Carolina Tar Heels, a team that many experts predicted would be on the outside looking in. Now, Bubba Cunningham, North Carolina's Athletic Director and chaired leader of the Selection Committee, faces intense scrutiny as he explains how UNC made the field in the 2025: NCAA tournament.

The NCAA tournament selection process is notoriously complex. The Selection Committee, comprised of athletic directors and conference commissioners from across the nation, weighs factors like win-loss record, strength of schedule, quality wins, and overall performance throughout the season. This process, designed to create the most competitive and compelling tournament field, often results in debated "bubble teams" and perceived snubs.

This year, the Tar Heels are undoubtedly the center of that debate. The Selection Committee, led by AD Cunningham, seeded UNC in a highly contested region, sparking outrage among fans and analysts. According to Yahoo Sports, North Carolina was the last team to make the field, a surprise to many who projected the Tar Heels would miss the cut. The team's inconsistent regular season record and lack of marquee victories raised serious doubts about their NCAA tournament viability.

"We understood the questions surrounding North Carolina's resume," Cunningham stated in a press conference following the bracket release. "However, the committee felt strongly that their late-season surge, combined with a challenging conference schedule and some impressive wins against top-25 opponents, warranted their inclusion. We believe they deserve a spot in the tournament." He further emphasized that the committee considers a holistic view of a team's performance, not just their raw win-loss numbers.

The ramifications of this decision are far-reaching. Other teams on the bubble, now excluded, will likely question the fairness of the selection process. Furthermore, the pressure is now squarely on UNC to justify their inclusion. A quick exit from the tournament could further fuel the criticism directed at Cunningham and the Selection Committee. According to industry experts, the fallout from this decision could lead to reforms in the selection criteria and greater transparency in the decision-making process.

Looking ahead, the Tar Heels will need to silence their doubters on the court. The outcome of their first-round matchup, broadcast nationwide, will be closely watched. This situation underlines the complexities inherent in selecting the NCAA tournament field, even when chaired by respected figures like Bubba Cunningham. Only time will tell if the Selection Committee's gamble on UNC pays off or adds more fuel to the fire of controversy surrounding the 2025 NCAA tournament.