UNC Edges Up in NET Rankings, Earns Double-Bye in ACC Tournament

Tar Heels still projected as No. 5 seed in NCAA Tournament despite win over Clemson

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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No. 17 North Carolina inched up one spot to 24th in the NET rankings after its 67-63 victory over Clemson on Tuesday. The Tar Heels earned their fourth Quad 2 win, but all six of their losses have come against Quad 1 opponents. UNC can earn a double-bye in the ACC Tournament if Miami wins its remaining games, securing the No. 4 seed.

Why it matters

The NET rankings and wins above bubble (WAB) metric are two key factors the NCAA Tournament selection committee uses to determine seeding. UNC's continued rise in the NET rankings and strong WAB ranking suggest they are trending towards a No. 5 seed, though they still have work to do to improve their NCAA Tournament positioning.

The details

North Carolina's victory over Clemson gave them their fourth Quad 2 win of the season, but all six of their losses have come against Quad 1 opponents. The Tar Heels have six Quad 1 wins and are 24-6 overall, 12-5 in ACC play. They have one more regular season game against No. 1 Duke, which could provide another Quad 1 win opportunity.

  • UNC defeated Clemson 67-63 on Tuesday, March 4, 2026.
  • UNC plays at No. 1 Duke on Saturday, March 8, 2026 at 6:30 PM.

The players

North Carolina Tar Heels

The men's basketball team at the University of North Carolina, a Division I program that competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).

Duke Blue Devils

The men's basketball team at Duke University, a Division I program that also competes in the ACC and is currently ranked No. 1 in the country.

Miami Hurricanes

The men's basketball team at the University of Miami, a Division I program that competes in the ACC.

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What’s next

If No. 22 Miami (23-6, 12-4 ACC) wins its remaining games against SMU and Louisville, UNC will earn a double-bye in the ACC Tournament and the No. 4 seed.

The takeaway

Despite the win over Clemson, UNC is still projected as a No. 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament, highlighting the importance of their final regular season game against No. 1 Duke. The Tar Heels' NET ranking and wins above bubble metric suggest they are trending in the right direction, but they will need to continue to pick up quality wins to solidify their NCAA Tournament positioning.