March Meh-ness? Poll Finds Folks In NC Not Too Interested In NCAAs

The Final Four of the NCAA men's basketball tournament begins this weekend just as a new poll is released by High Point University finding that this year North Carolinians just aren't feeling the March Madness.

Only 12 percent of more than 400 people surveyed said they planned to watch the tournament closely. And more than a third said the media pays too much attention to it.

This year marks the first time since 2014 that no North Carolina team has reached the Final Four. Either Duke or UNC had been in the final game for each of the last three years, with both having teams that eventually went on to win it all.

State residents also remain opposed to compensating players.

The poll asked respondents if student-athletes should get paid for their hours of practice and play, given that their schools make money on TV, merchandising and endorsements.

Almost six in 10 respondents said they should not be paid.