UNC's First Four win draws record TV ratings

Field Level Media|published: 03/20/2025, 3:02pm EDT

Mar 18, 2025; Dayton, OH, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard RJ Davis (4) reacts in the first half against the San Diego State Aztecs at UD Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

While North Carolina's addition to the NCAA Tournament was deemed controversial, there is no denying the program's March pedigree and it was evident in record First Four television ratings on Tuesday.

According to Front Office Sports, North Carolina's 95-68 victory over San Diego State in an NCAA Tournament play-in game earned 2.2 million viewers on TruTV for a First Four single-game record.

Adding in the 1.4 million that watched an earlier play-in game between Alabama State and Saint Francis (PA), the evening earned a First Four record of 3.6 million combined viewers.

The Tar Heels earned a tournament bid with a 22-13 record but were just 1-12 in Quad 1 games. West Virginia was left out with a 19-13 record but a 6-10 mark in Quad 1 games. West Virgina governor Patrick Morrisey went as far as to announce an investigation into the NCAA and the tournament selection committee.

Adding to the controversy is that North Carolina athletic director Bubba Cunningham is the chair on the NCAA Tournament selection committee and earned a bonus when the Tar Heels defeated San Diego State to officially grab a tourney spot.

North Carolina now is set to face Ole Miss in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday in a game that will be televised on TNT.

--Field Level Media