Keeping It Heel
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UNC Women’s Basketball to face St. Johns in NCAA tournament

By Drew Garrett

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA - JANUARY 12: Head coach Courtney Banghart of the North Carolina Tar Heels talks to Kennedy Todd-Williams #3 during the game against the Virginia Cavaliers at John Paul Jones Arena on January 12, 2023 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA - JANUARY 12: Head coach Courtney Banghart of the North Carolina Tar Heels talks to Kennedy Todd-Williams #3 during the game against the Virginia Cavaliers at John Paul Jones Arena on January 12, 2023 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /
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The UNC Women’s basketball team has its eyes set on a national championship, as they kick off their tournament play against St. Johns

March is finally here.

After a long 2022-23 season, the UNC Women’s basketball team is now six wins away from a potential national championship. However, St. Johns will look to knock off the Tar Heels.

St. Johns enters this game after an impressive 2022-23 season. The Red Storm finished 23-8 and fourth in the Big East conference, earning an at-large bid.

The Red Storm defeated Purdue in the first four matchups Thursday night, off a game-winning shot from star Jayla Everett.

While the Tar Heels are the higher seed, this will not be easy. To survive and advance to the next round of the NCAA tournament, here is what North Carolina will need to do.

Key to Victory

To advance to the next round, the Tar Heels need to come out aggressive against the Red Storm.

St. Johns has one of the most efficient offenses in the country and does not turn the ball over often. If North Carolina can force turnovers in this contest, it will help them succeed in other areas of their game.

Turnovers could potentially lead to easy and better shots. Scoring tomorrow night will not be easy, as the Red Storm is strong defensively. UNC can counter this by taking full advantage of turnovers and scoring on fast break opportunities.

Next, North Carolina needs to come out and play at their own pace. The pressure will be on them tomorrow night, and it is essential they stay calm and collected throughout all stages of the game. If the pressure gets to them, they may be on upset alert.

If North Carolina can take care of these areas of their game, they will be in a great position to come away with a victory Saturday night.

Something to Watch

Compared to UNC, St. Johns has a clear height advantage.

The Red Storm have four players in their rotation over six-foot and love to score inside. This can cause problems for the Tar Heels, as it does not match up well with their personality.

It will be worth watching how North Carolina’s frontcourt performs Saturday night against this St. Johns team. All eyes will be on Alyssa Ustby, Anya Poole, and Destiny Adams as they will be asked to do a lot in this contest.

Last Meeting

In their few meetings, UNC has historically dominated St. Johns.

The Tar Heels are a perfect 4-0 in their meetings against the Red Storm. Their last win came in 2009, in a regular season game in Chapel Hill. North Carolina took care of business winning 83-73.

Saturday night, North Carolina looks to continue their perfection against St. Johns, and advance to the next round of the NCAA tournament.

Projected Starting Lineup

F-Anya Poole

G-Kennedy Todd- Williams

F-Alyssa Ustby

G-Deja Kelly

G-Eva Hodgson

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