North Carolina Tar Heels vs Ole Miss Rebels – NCAA Tournament Preview – March 21, 2025
North Carolina faces Ole Miss in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on March 21 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. The Tar Heels enter the game as the No. 11 seed after defeating San Diego State 95-68 in the First Four round. Ole Miss, the No. 6 seed, earned their spot after a solid regular season and SEC tournament appearance.
North Carolina enters with a 23-13 record, winning nine of their last 11 games. Ole Miss holds a 22-11 record, coming off a 62-57 loss to Auburn in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals. This is the Rebels’ first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2019. Both teams look to extend their postseason run in a key opening-round matchup.
North Carolina Preview – Can the Tar Heels Stay Hot?
North Carolina has been strong offensively, averaging 81.2 points per game this season. RJ Davis leads the team with 17.3 points per game and hit six three-pointers in their recent win over San Diego State. Ian Jackson and Seth Trimble also provide scoring depth with averages of 12.3 and 11.7 points per game.
Defensively, North Carolina allows 74.8 points per game. The Tar Heels excel when they score 80 points or more, posting a 15-3 record in those contests. They hit 14 three-pointers in their last game, showing they can be dangerous from long range when shots are falling.
Coach Hubert Davis emphasized defense, rebounding, and ball control as keys to success. The Tar Heels’ ability to limit mistakes and win the rebounding battle will be critical against a balanced Ole Miss squad. North Carolina has struggled in tight games this season, with several of their losses coming in close contests. Finding consistency late in games will be key to their chances.
Ole Miss Preview – Can the Rebels Find Their Form?
Ole Miss comes in averaging 77.2 points per game while giving up 71.7 on defense. Sean Pedulla leads the Rebels with 14.9 points per game and has made 78 three-pointers this season. Five Ole Miss players average double figures, giving them strong scoring depth.
The Rebels have struggled on the boards, being outrebounded by an average of 4.7 per game. Malik Dia leads the team with 5.7 rebounds per contest but will need help inside to control North Carolina’s frontcourt. The Rebels are 10-2 when scoring 80 points or more this season, showing they thrive in higher-scoring games.
Coach Chris Beard has a strong track record in the NCAA Tournament. He has never lost a first-round game and has guided four different programs to the tournament, giving Ole Miss a coaching advantage in this matchup. Beard’s teams are known for their preparation, and the Rebels will likely have a defensive plan designed to slow down Davis and limit North Carolina’s perimeter shooting.
Betting Prediction
North Carolina’s recent offensive surge makes them a dangerous opponent for Ole Miss. The Tar Heels’ strong three-point shooting gives them an edge if they can maintain their hot streak. Ole Miss has been inconsistent but has proven they can win when they hit 80 points.
The spread is close, but North Carolina’s recent form gives them the edge. Expect a tight game, but the Tar Heels should come out on top in a contest that could push past the total points line.
Pick: North Carolina +3
