Jalen Rose Reacts to UNC's Controversial Tournament Bid: 'San Diego State Are Going to Knock Them Out Anyway'

Every year, Selection Sunday for the NCAA Tournament comes with its share of drama, and 2025 is no exception. This year, the spotlight is firmly on the North Carolina Tar Heels, whose inclusion in the tournament has stirred up quite the debate among fans and analysts alike.

UNC managed to snag a spot as one of the "First Four" teams, facing San Diego State for the No. 11 seed in the South Region. While some fans were unhappy with the decision, others—like college basketball legend Jalen Rose—weren't exactly shocked.

Rose, who gained fame as part of Michigan's iconic "Fab Five," shared his unfiltered take on why UNC made the cut: "They deserve to get in off money and nostalgia," he told Fox News Digital. Rose pointed out the longstanding advantage powerhouse teams like Duke and Carolina enjoy when it comes to bracket placements. He explained, "It’s not just about home-court advantage; it’s also about ticket sales and revenue. The NCAA knows how to work the system."

Adding fuel to the fire is the fact that Bubba Cunningham, UNC's athletic director, happens to be the chair of the selection committee. While Cunningham publicly stated he recused himself from discussions about UNC's inclusion, skepticism remains high. Vice chair Keith Gill clarified the situation, noting that UNC's spot was determined by contingency votes tied to other game outcomes.

Rose remains critical of how committee decisions are made, calling the process "contradictory" and admitting his skepticism goes way back: "Since the beginning of time, I've questioned how this system operates." Still, he's not overly concerned about UNC's inclusion, predicting their tournament run will be short-lived. "Brian Dutcher and San Diego State are going to knock them out anyway," he said, confidently backing the Aztecs' defensive prowess.

San Diego State has been a force in recent years, reaching the Sweet 16 last season and the national championship game the year before. While UNC edges out SDSU in metrics like NET and KenPom ratings, Rose is placing his faith in Dutcher's coaching and the Aztecs' gritty defense.

Beyond the basketball drama, Rose is busy with his partnership with Fanatics Sportsbook, encouraging fans to "embrace the chaos" of March Madness. The sportsbook is offering a $5 million FanCash Drop for bettors who place $20 parlays, along with opportunities to join Rose at the national title game in San Antonio. "It’s been a lot of fun for me," Rose said, adding that he's just as involved as the fans: "Don’t get it twisted—I’m betting, too!"

As the games kick off, all eyes will be on UNC and San Diego State. If Rose's prediction holds true, the Tar Heels may not be making headlines for long.