Tar Heels going West as the NCAA’s fourth No. 1 seed

The path to North Carolina’s seventh NCAA men’s basketball title would take the Tar Heels from the Queen City to the City of Angels and, they hope, culminate in the Valley of the Sun. The No. 4-ranked Tar Heels (27–7) are the No. 1 seed in the West Regional, to be played at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles (home of the NBA’s Lakers and Clippers and the NHL’s Kings). It’s the NCAA-high 18th time that UNC has been a No. 1 seed since seeding began in 1979, one season after missing the tournament.

Heels’ 9th Quad 1 win, help from Vols, Arizona makes No. 1 seed likely

WASHINGTON — No. 4 North Carolina’s eighth consecutive win and ninth Quad 1 victory Friday night all but assured that the Tar Heels will be a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. Losses by No. 5 Tennessee (73–56 to Mississippi State in the SEC tournament) and No. 6 Arizona (67–59 to Oregon in the Pac-12 tournament), UNC’s competition for the fourth No. 1 seed, pretty much cemented that outcome.

No. 4 Heels dominate FSU, roll into ACC semifinals with defense, rebounding

WASHINGTON — There were no struggles against Florida State the third time around. Only dominance. After rallying in Chapel Hill and battling in a close game in Tallahassee, No. 4-ranked UNC delivered the knockout punch in the first half. The No. 1-seed Heels took control with a 22–8 first-half run and coasted to a 92–67 victory Thursday in the ACC tournament quarterfinals.