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Typically, a college basketball team declining an invitation to the NIT or football team saying “no” to a low-level bowl game is a bad look. And for North Carolina, it’s getting plenty of pushback for its decision to conclude its basketball season effective immediately.

The Tar Heels missed out on the NCAA Tournament, as they were the third team out behind Oklahoma State and Rutgers. The first preseason No. 1 team to not make the NCAAs since the field expanded to 64 teams in 1985, it strikes as sour grapes by an elitist program.

Maybe so, and I won’t even argue against that. There isn’t any way of proving it wrong, and probably more to prove it somewhat correct.

But whatever the narrative is around the nation, what really only matters is why UNC made the decision and how it can benefit. But that is also why we agree with the decision.

First of all, it’s called the “National Invitation Tournament.” It’s not part of the schedule and there is nothing mandatory about it. We’ve all turned down invitations to things, so all the Tar Heels did was RSVP, “We’re sorry, but we’re unable to make it.”

So, the quitting stuff should be put to rest.

Also, this stuff about getting the reserves more minutes would make sense if there was a guarantee they’d get quality needed playing time. But Hubert Davis has given zero indication he would dip deep into his bench for an extended period of time thus far, so why do it now, especially in a one-and-done tournament?

What really matters for UNC basketball isn’t avoiding the scorn and ridicule of rival fan bases and the nation, it’s what is best for the program moving forward. The kids didn’t really want to play, and that’s fine. It gives Davis time to have meetings with the players now so everyone can get moving toward making personal decisions that are coming from nearly everyone on the roster.

Some will leave, so getting into the transfer portal now will enhance their chances at finding quality landing spots. Some, or one, may go pro figuring his best move is to see how his game fits in the G-League and that a new start will help immensely.

Might players with Covid years to use – Justin McKoy and Armando Bacot – return for another season?

All of this applies to roster management, and how Davis gets to roll up his sleeves and do three things: Communicate a message to his returning players that will actually stick; know how many spots must be filled from the transfer portal and what his literal needs are; he can watch the NCAA Tournament and maybe get a few ideas on things, but also keep an eye out for potential portal kids, many of the names likely will have been floated by Davis by the time the games are in full swing Thursday; plus he can visit and host players on teams not in the NCAA Tournament.

Lastly, this gives Davis more time for a thorough self-evaluation, which is needed. He doesn’t have all the answers, as this season showed, so he would be wise to consult with people who can help him see areas he can improve. This doesn’t mean to have a heartfelt conversation with just Roy Williams, Davis had contacts throughout the sport on all levels, so he should use this additional time wisely and make use of those associations.

All of the above adds up to the UNC basketball program, and the 2023-24 Tar Heels, getting a head start on next season.

One or five games in the NIT wasn’t going to help them in that respect. It might actually add more salt into the wound as long as the Heels were still alive in the tournament.

Now, they will be an afterthought by Tuesday, and have plenty of time to fix so much of what needs fixing.