The North Carolina Tar Heels impressed everyone last season by making it to the National Championship Game against Kansas as an eight seed. They did not follow that up at all this season, missing out on the NCAA Tournament altogether with a disappointing 20-13 season.
While they didn’t make the field of 68 on Sunday’s NCAA Tournament selection show, they did receive an invite to the NIT Tournament.
UNC head coach Hubert Davis issued a statement on their decision on the NIT Tournament, politely declining this invitation and ultimately putting an end to an extremely disappointing season.
“All season our focus and goal has been on being the best team we can possibly become and reach our full potential to give us another opportunity to compete, play for and win an NCAA Championship. Although we no longer have that opportunity and this season wasn’t what we had hoped for, I want to thank our players and staff for their hard work and love for Carolina Basketball.”
“Many factors go into postseason play and we believe now if the time to focus on moving ahead, preparing for next season and the opportunity to again compete for ACC and NCAA championships.”
Tar Heels choose not to participate in 2023 NIT.
🔗: https://t.co/o6wWdno4uo pic.twitter.com/fIu4NVgX6k
— Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) March 12, 2023
Many took to social media to blast both Davis and North Carolina for feeling like they are above competing in the NIT Tournament.
Carolina not good enough for NCAA but too uppity to play in NIT.
Tone deaf https://t.co/aLfKpebOBU— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) March 13, 2023
I will never understand not wanting to get better by playing more games. The younger players returning next season could certainly benefit from playing more games. Adult egos cost them. https://t.co/kVMV3qnw3W
— Steve Fifer (@SparkyRadio) March 13, 2023
Weak. https://t.co/qTPLplC4VL
— Mark Woodley (@MarkWoodleyTV) March 12, 2023
not a good look. https://t.co/P1ZM9XOh0b
— drew olanoff (@yoda) March 12, 2023
— Evan Flood (@Evan_Flood) March 12, 2023
To be fair to North Carolina, we have seen blueblood programs play in the NIT Tournament get embarrassed in the past which is obviously would not a good look for them. Kentucky accepted an invite to the NIT back in 2013, losing in shocking fashion to Robert Morris.
It would definitely be strange to see a powerhouse basketball school like North Carolina play in the NIT. UNC has only missed the NCAA Tournament four times in the last 20 years.
They will look to get back to the drawing board and put this horrible season behind them after being ranked the preseason No. 1 ranked team.
[North Carolina Basketball on Twitter]
