Keeping It Heel
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UNC Women’s Basketball looks to upset No. 4 Notre Dame

By Drew Garrett

BLACKSBURG, VA - JANUARY 01: Guard Deja Kelly #25 of the North Carolina Tar Heels dribbles down court in the first half during a game against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Cassell Coliseum on January 1, 2023 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan Hunt/Getty Images)
BLACKSBURG, VA - JANUARY 01: Guard Deja Kelly #25 of the North Carolina Tar Heels dribbles down court in the first half during a game against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Cassell Coliseum on January 1, 2023 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan Hunt/Getty Images) /
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The UNC women’s basketball program will need to bring their A-game, as the No. 4- ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish travel to Chapel Hill for a big-time ACC matchup.

It has been a rough 2023 for the UNC women’s basketball team.

The Tar Heels have had four straight heartbreaking losses and are still searching for their first win in the new year.

Things will also not get any easier, as No. 4-ranked Notre Dame travels to Chapel Hill for a big ACC matchup.

Notre Dame is off to yet another fantastic start. At 12-1, the Irish are looking to increase their six-game win streak to seven.

Sunday will be an opportunity for North Carolina to get back on track. A win against a powerhouse like Notre Dame would be huge, and it could change the season.

If the Tar Heels want to knock off the No. 4 Irish, here is what they will need to do.

Key to Victory

To beat Notre Dame, North Carolina needs to play their best basketball.

The Tar Heels are talented enough to pick up a win Sunday, but they have not been playing like it recently.

Offensively, they need to clean up their shot selection and convert on more of their attempts.

Defensively, they need to cause chaos.

Notre Dame is too good of a team to play straight up. The Tar Heels need to play physically, force turnovers, and win the rebound battle.

It won’t be easy, but if North Carolina can cause problems for Notre Dame, they have a chance to pull off an upset.

Something to Watch

Bench play for UNC has been a problem in recent games.

Against Miami, the starting five accounted for 52 of the team’s 58 points. Paulina Paris was the only player to score off the bench for the Tar Heels.

Someone needs to step up if they want to get a win against Notre Dame.

Keep an eye on Paris, Key, and Adams during Sunday’s game. Their impact may be very valuable for North Carolina and could be the difference between a win and a loss.

Last Meeting

These programs last met on January 16, 2022, in South Bend, Indiana. The Irish defeated the Tar Heels 70-65.

Deja Kelly led North Carolina in scoring with 22, while Alyssa Ustby and Kennedy Todd-Williams were not far behind with 15 and 13.

All time, Notre Dame leads the series 10-3.

Projected Starting Lineup

F-Anya Poole

G-Kennedy Todd- Williams

F-Alyssa Ustby

G-Deja Kelly

G-Eva Hodgson

UNC Basketball Random Observations: Notre Dame Win. dark. Next

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