Hubert Davis responds to critics of North Carolina making NCAA Tournament: 'I didn't listen to Bracketology'

North Carolina was awarded a spot in the NCAA Tournament’s First Four as a No. 11 seed after compiling a 22-13 record, having won eight of its last 10 games coming into March Madness. However, the Tar Heels’ entry in the tournament wasn’t without controversey.

Many on social media pointed toward UNC’s 1-12 record against Quad 1 opponents this season as an arguement against the Tar Heels. Despite the pushback, North Carolina head coach Hubert Davis responded to the Carolina naysayers ahead of Tuesday night’s matchup against San Diego State.

“I don’t have any thoughts, and I’m not on social media. In regards to those comments, that would be negligent on my part to comment on something I’ve never read or never hear,” Davis said. “I’m not on — I didn’t listen to Bracketology. I didn’t listen after our name was selected on CBS. I didn’t listen to the telecasts. I haven’t listened to anybody’s comments in regards to selections, seedings.

“I know that we’re really excited to be a part of this. We’re looking forward to tomorrow night.”

Davis has encouraged his players all year long to “turn down the noise” from their phones. Davis defined noise as anything that doesn’t help you become a better person, a better player, and a better teammate. Anything that doesn’t involve those three things, needs to be turned down.

He also wants his team to focus on “what is real,” which he uses an example from his faith to tell his team to keep their eyes straight ahead and to ignore all distractions. To Davis, anything that interferes with the Tar Heels’ preparation against San Diego State is irrelevant. Still, the Tar Heels are looking forward to seeing their fans travel to Dayton to watch their team fight for their spot in the next round.

“I think it’s going to be a packed house, and there’s going to be a lot of energy in the building. And rightfully so,” Davis said. “That’s something that our players and our coaching staff, myself personally always feed off of and are really looking forward to it.”

Tip-off between the Tar Heels and Aztecs is set for 9:10 p.m. ET and will air live on truTV. North Carolina is a 5.5-point betting favorite heading into Tuesday’s matchup, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. The winner between UNC and SDSU take on No. 6 seed Ole Miss in the next round of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday.