2025 NCAA Tournament bubble watch: Joe Lunardi updates UNC's path following blowout of Notre Dame

The North Carolina Tar Heels are anxiously awaiting their fate in the upcoming 2025 NCAA Tournament. After the ‘Heels have won plenty of games down the stretch, including blowing out the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in their second-round matchup in the ACC Tournament. And while Lunardi said they certainly helped their chances with their win on Wednesday, they’ve still got plenty of anxious days ahead.

Lunardi updated the ‘Heels status on the bubble as of Wednesday evening.

“They certainly didn’t hurt themselves, of course. This was a keep alive game, if you will. Coach Boeheim will remember one of my favorites, John Chaney, for years and years. In situations like this he would say, ‘Win one, buy one.’ And that’s what the Tar Heels did. They lived to fight another day. Tomorrow puts them that much closer. I would have them right now as the very last team to miss the field. First team out, if you will. Number 69. Just in is Ohio State. The Buckeyes play at 6:00 PM EST. If they lose, Carolina might wake up in the morning just in the field. Which will last until their tip-time against Wake Forest,” Lunardi explained.

“So, Carolina’s rooting for themselves of course. They’re rooting against other bubble teams. And mainly, they’re trying to avoid anything close to the five bid thieves we saw a year ago,” Lunardi continued.

Lunardi on bubble teams for North Carolina to monitor

Who else was playing on Wednesday night that the nation needs to keep an eye on?

“On the inside, meaning those that are on the good side of the cut line right now. The list is led by Ohio State, Oklahoma is in that group of the last four in. They’re playing Georgia but not until 9:30 PM EST. Arkansas was on the bubble as well. They escaped South Carolina today. And chasing the Tar Heels from behind. Texas, a dangerous team with some nice wins. And they are beating Vanderbilt at this point in their SEC Quarterfinal. We’ve got a long way to go. If this were election night, only about 20 percent of the precincts reporting” Lunardi explained.

Ohio State lost to Iowa in their first-round matchup in the Big Ten Tournament, falling 77-70. So, that’s potentially one less team the Tar Heels will have to worry about. Of course, we won’t know for certain until selection Sunday. Texas defeated Vanderbilt 79-72. Arkansas defeated South Carolina 72-68.

UNC will face No. 4 seed Wake Forest in the 2025 ACC Tournament Quarterfinals. That one will be played on Thursday and tip-off is set for 2:30 PM EST.