Keatts coached the Wolfpack to three NCAA tournament bids during his six seasons in Raleigh and advanced to the Final Four in 2024.

The Tar Heels likely need to win the ACC tournament to earn a bid into the NCAA tournament after middling in a historically weak league with no signature wins.

Barring a perfect run through the ACC tournament, it will be two missed NCAA Tournaments in three seasons for North Carolina, far from the standard expectations in Chapel Hill. The Tar Heels fell short when they couldn't afford it. They lead the bubble winners and losers on the final weekend of the regular season.

Cole Cloer, a lifelong Tar Heel enthusiast, became the first UNC basketball offer recipient on the 2026 recruiting trail last May. And in early January, the Caldwell Academy (N.C.) forward listed Hubert Davis and his staff among his most active suitors.

Cooper Flagg had to navigate some adversity on Saturday before helping Duke to a critical 82-69 win over rival North Carolina. The win earned the Blue Devils the outright ACC title and No. 1 seed in next week's ACC Tournament.

Who are the 10 best North Carolina basketball players of all time? FOX Sports Research compiled the list of the top Tar Heels.

Division I women's college basketball tournament title games in major conferences crown winners today and have major influence on NCAA tournament seeding and host sites.