CBS Analyst Kenny Smith Leaves Broadcast After UNC's Upset Loss to VCU The NCAA Tournament’s opening round delivered a dramatic twist as North Carolina’s historic upset loss to VCU left CBS analyst Kenny Smith abruptly exiting the broadcast. The defeat, which ended the Tar Heels’ season in the round of 64, prompted Smith to leave the studio shortly after the game, drawing immediate attention from viewers. The incident underscored the volatile nature of March Madness, where a single game can shift fortunes and spotlight the personal ties of analysts to their alma maters. Smith, a former UNC standout and longtime CBS/TNT commentator, had been part of the studio team alongside Charles Barkley and Clark Kellogg. The Tar Heels entered the game with a 39-28 halftime lead and a 18-point advantage in the second half, but the momentum shifted dramatically. VCU, led by Terrence Hill Jr.’s 34 points and a clutch stepback three-pointer in overtime, overcame a 19-point deficit to secure an 82-78 victory. UNC’s Henri Veesaar contributed 26 points and 10 rebounds, but his efforts proved insufficient as the Rams’ resilience proved decisive. Smith’s departure from the broadcast booth sparked widespread speculation. Some viewers questioned whether he had left due to illness, while others interpreted it as a reaction to the loss. Social media reactions ranged from amusement to accusations of “typical coward behavior,” with many fixating on the vacant seat. However, Smith’s exit carried added weight given his pre-tournament confidence in UNC’s prospects. He had predicted the Tar Heels would face Illinois before a potential Elite Eight clash with Houston, envisioning a national championship showdown between Michigan and Michigan State, with the Spartans emerging victorious.#kenny_smith #vcu #unc #terrence_hill_jr #henri_veesaar
North Carolina vs. VCU NCAA Tournament Matchup: Odds, Predictions, and Key Details The 11th-seeded VCU Rams will face the sixth-seeded UNC Tar Heels in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament South Region on March 19. The game, set for 6:50 p.m. ET at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C., marks the first-ever matchup between the two programs. VCU, led by first-year coach Phil Martelli Jr., enters the tournament with a 27-7 record after a 72-60 victory over Dayton in the A-10 tournament championship. UNC, meanwhile, lost its last two games, including an 80-79 defeat to Clemson in the ACC Tournament, and finished fourth in the league with an 12-6 record. UNC will be without star freshman forward Caleb Wilson, who is sidelined for the season following surgery for a broken thumb. The Tar Heels have turned to Henri Veesaar, averaging 16.7 points and 8.7 rebounds per game in Wilson’s absence. VCU, which has won 16 of its last 17 games, will rely on its balanced scoring attack, with Terrence Hill Jr. projected to contribute 13.3 points in the matchup. The game’s odds show UNC as a 2.5-point favorite, with the over/under total set at 150.5 points. The total has dropped 5 points since opening at 155.5, reflecting cautious expectations for a low-scoring contest. SportsLine’s Projection Model, which has a strong track record in NCAA Tournament predictions, simulated the game 10,000 times and leaned toward the under, projecting the total to fall in 52.4% of simulations. The model also highlighted key player contributions, with VCU expected to have two players scoring 12.6 points or more and UNC’s Veesaar projected to lead the Tar Heels with 16.4 points. The model’s analysis suggests the under total is a strong bet, aligning with recent trends in both teams’ games.#north_carolina #phil_martelli_jr #vcu #henri_veesarar #terrence_hill_jr
