Keeping It Heel
Fansided

UNC Women’s Basketball looks to bounce-back vs. Syracuse

By Drew Garrett

PORTLAND, OR - NOVEMBER 27: Head coach Courtney Banghart of the North Carolina Tar Heels holds the Phil Knight Invitational trophy following the game against the Iowa State Cyclones in the Phil Knight Invitational Tournament Womens Championship at Moda Center on November 27, 2022 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - NOVEMBER 27: Head coach Courtney Banghart of the North Carolina Tar Heels holds the Phil Knight Invitational trophy following the game against the Iowa State Cyclones in the Phil Knight Invitational Tournament Womens Championship at Moda Center on November 27, 2022 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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Following the end of their impressive eight-game win streak, No. 14 UNC Women’s basketball is set to take on the Syracuse Orange.

After an impressive 4-week stretch, North Carolina’s eight-game win streak finally came to an end. Louisville proved to be a strong test, as they defended their home court and beat UNC, 62-55.

The Tar Heels will have another test this week when they play the Syracuse Orange.

While the Orange have struggled, 15-9 on the year, it is never easy to win on the road. Especially in the JMA Wireless Dome.

UNC should be favored in this one, but this is a game that should not be overlooked. If the Tar Heels want to pick up a bounce-back win Thursday night, here is what they will need to do.

Key to Victory

The key to winning Thursday night will be simple. Rebound the basketball.

Rebounding is a big part of Syracuse’s game. They dominate the battle in their wins and lose the battle in losses.

On the season, Syracuse as a team is averaging 41.3 points per game. If the Tar Heels can reach beyond that number, they will put themselves in a position to win.

However, it won’t be easy.

North Carolina only averages 39.5 rebounds per game, and will likely be without their top rebounder, Alyssa Ustby. This will force the rest of the rotation to step up and contribute a strong effort on the glass.

Something to Watch

Injuries are starting to become a pain for UNC.

Two of the top players for North Carolina have been sidelined for some time now. Eva Hodgson and Alyssa Ustby have both missed consecutive games for the Tar Heels and don’t seem to be coming back in the near future.

Missing both players will certainly shake things up for North Carolina. In tomorrow’s game, it is worth keeping an eye on what the rotation will look like.

Against Louisville, Courtney Banghart only played seven players in her rotation. It will be interesting to see whether she continues this game plan against Syracuse, or if she decides to switch things up.

Last Meeting

It was a Carolina blowout victory when these two programs last met. North Carolina beat Syracuse, 79-43.

Four Tar Heels finished this game with double-digit scoring. Deja Kelly and Alyssa Ustby led the team with 12, while Anya Poole and Kennedy Todd-Williams scored 11 and 10.

Despite this, Syracuse leads the all-time series record, 8-5.

Projected Starting Lineup

F-Anya Poole

G-Kennedy Todd- Williams

F-Destiny Adams

G-Deja Kelly

G-Paulina Paris

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