For a few minutes, it looked like the Tar Heels were going to validate their critics. They committed turnovers on four of their first six possessions against a San Diego State defense ranked 13th in the country on KenPom. UNC's offense should have been good enough to hang with that unit, but it was a bad beginning.

The first full day of the men's NCAA Tournament is Thursday, while the women begin play Friday. Here's which local standouts are on the rosters.

Michigan was given a No. 5 seed, mainly because of a NET ranking of No. 23. The Wolverines had an eye-popping 12 Q1 victories this season, including 2 victories over No. 3 seed Wisconsin and wins over NCAA Tournament teams Maryland, Oregon, Purdue, UCLA and Xavier among others.

RJ Davis scores 26 points and shoots 6 for 6 from 3-point range as the Tar Heels dominate, 95-68, in a matchup of No. 11 seeds. UNC advances to face No. 6 seed Mississippi on Friday in Milwaukee.

The San Diego State University Aztecs men's basketball team couldn't keep up with the University of North Carolina Tuesday in the NCAA Tournament's First Four round, losing to the Tar Heels 95-68.

Michigan guard Rubin Jones (15) reacts with the bench to a three-point basket against Wisconsin during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) AP

Micah Simpson’s nearly full court pass gets tipped and ends up in the hands of Amarr Knox who lays the ball in with one second remaining to give Alabama State a 70-68 victory over Saint Francis (PA) in the First Four of the NCAA Tournament. This is the first-ever win for Alabama State in the NCAA Tournament.

The UConn men’s basketball team has dealt with similar struggles at the defensive end all season, but the NCAA Tournament presents an opportunity to start fresh.