Bracketology predictions: How UNC’s loss to Duke will impact the NCAA Tournament field

UNC has to get things in order quickly after losing to Duke because their bracketology is pointing to being on the bubble of the NCAA Tournament.

North Carolina opened the season as the runaway No. 1 team in college basketball.

With February upon us, the Tar Heels could end up on the wrong side of the NCAA Tournament bubble if they’re not careful. (Much like the Cameron Crazies were on the wrong side of classless behavior with their pregame cheer sheet.)

On Saturday, UNC went to Cameron Indoor Stadium and fell to rival Duke, 57-63, dropping them to 15-8 on the season. It was their seventh Q1 loss in eight tries.

UNC Bubble Watch: Tar Heels have a Q1 wins problem

The Tar Heels have just one Q1 win, and that was a neutral site victory over Ohio State. Simply put, that record won’t be good enough to win them any favors when the selection committee gets together.

Last year, Wake Forest got left out with a 23-9 record. Their greatest flaw was a lack of Q1 wins. They had just one.

So the loss to Duke, which came by six points and was close into the final minute, was a missed opportunity for UNC to add to their resumé.

However, it doesn’t mean the end for North Carlina. They are a respectable 5-1 in Q2 and a perfect 9-0 in Q3 and Q4 games. They will have plenty of opportunities to add to their quality wins tally.

The trip to Wake Forest on Tuesday is a Q1 opportunity. So are upcoming games at NC State and at home against Virginia and Duke to finish out the regular season.

Critically, the Tar Heels need to avoid tripping up against Q3 teams like Notre Dame and Florida State. They also have some Q2 matchups against Clemson and Miami that could play a role in their bracketology.

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