For the first time in program history, the North Carolina Tar Heels will begin their March Madness run in the First Four.
After sneaking into the field as an at-large bubble team, No. 11 seed North Carolina is scheduled to tip off Tuesday at 9:10 p.m. ET in the First Four against No. 11 seed San Diego State at UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio.
The Tar Heels are making their 54th overall appearance in the NCAA Tournament, and third under Hubert Davis.
RJ Davis has once again been the cornerstone of the Tar Heels roster this season. The 6-foot guard leads UNC in scoring at 17 points and 3.7 assists per game. Eliot Cadeau ranks second in the ACC with 6 assists per game.
San Diego State appeared to be well-positioned to make the NCAA Tournament going into the Mountain West tournament, but an early-round loss to Boise State dropped the Aztecs onto the bubble and eventually placed them in the First Four.
The winner of Tuesday’s First Four game will travel to Milwaukee to take on No. 6 seed Ole Miss on Friday, March 21 at 4:05 p.m. ET at Fiserv Forum.
Here’s what you need to know to watch North Carolina vs. San Diego State, including start time, TV channel, streaming information and more:
TruTV will televise Tuesday’s First Four game between North Carolina and San Diego State. Streaming options include the March Madness Live app (with a TV login) and Sling TV, which carries truTV and the Warner Bros. Discovery networks.
Spero Dedes (play-by-play), Jim Spanarkel (analyst) and Jon Rothstein (sideline reporter) will have the call of Tuesday’s First Four game at UD Arena on truTV.
North Carolina and San Diego State will tip off at approximately 9:10 p.m. ET on Tuesday from UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio. The Tar Heels and Aztecs will take the floor following the conclusion of the First Four game between No. 16 seeds Alabama State and Saint Francis (Pa.).
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Tuesday afternoon
Rodd Baxley, The Fayetteville Observer: North Carolina 75, San Diego State 69
The Tar Heels almost missed out on a chance to be a part of March Madness. Following their late-game struggles in a loss to Duke, UNC will grow from that experience to start the Big Dance with a big win. The Aztecs are elite defensively, but they won’t quite score enough to keep up with UNC.
Below are the five most recent results from North Carolina’s 2024-25 schedule. For full schedule, click here.
Below are the five most recent results from San Diego State’s 2024-25 schedule. For full schedule, click here.
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.
Our team of savvy editors independently handpicks all recommendations. If you purchase through our links, the USA Today Network may earn a commission. Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.
Gambling involves risk. Please only gamble with funds that you can comfortably afford to lose.  While we do our utmost to offer good advice and information we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of gambling.  We do our best to make sure all the information that we provide on this site is correct. However, from time to time mistakes will be made and we will not be held liable. Please check any stats or information if you are unsure how accurate they are. No guarantees are made with regards to results or financial gain. All forms of betting carry financial risk and it is up to the individual to make bets with or without the assistance of information provided on this site and we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of following the betting tips provided on this site.  Past performances do not guarantee success in the future and betting odds fluctuate from one minute to the next. The material contained on this site is intended to inform, entertain and educate the reader and in no way represents an inducement to gamble legally or illegally or any sort of professional advice.
Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside. It is your sole responsibility to act in accordance with your local laws.

source