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Why Hubert Davis said UNC basketball will not play in NIT after missing NCAA Tournament

Rodd Baxley, The Fayetteville Observer
·2 min read
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The season is over for North Carolina basketball, which missed the NCAA Tournament and will not participate in the NIT.

UNC announced the decision Sunday evening and released a statement from second-year head coach Hubert Davis.

"All season, our focus and goal have been on being the best team we can possibly become and reaching 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," Davis said.

"Many factors go into postseason play, and we believe now is the time to focus on moving ahead, preparing for next season and the opportunity to again compete for ACC and NCAA championships. I also want to thank our great fans for their incredible support. Our commitment to you is what drives us to improve our program in every way."

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The Tar Heels (20-13) are the first preseason No. 1 team to miss the NCAA Tournament since the field expanded in 1985. After UNC’s 68-59 loss to Virginia, several players seemed disinterested in participating in the NIT.

When Carolina missed the NCAA Tournament in 2010, the Tar Heels advanced to the championship game of the NIT. They also accepted a bid in 2003. Overall, UNC has six NIT appearances, winning it all in 1971.

But this team, which returned four starters from a squad that had a 15-point halftime lead in the national championship before watching Kansas snatch away the title, had bigger aspirations. The Tar Heels finish the 2022-23 season with a 20-13 record.

Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com or @RoddBaxley on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: UNC basketball misses March Madness, declines NIT invitation