Keeping It Heel
Fansided

UNC Women’s Basketball hosts Elon to close four-game home stand

By Nick Delahanty

GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 02: Head coach Courtney Banghart talks with Deja Kelly #25 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during the second half of their game against the Clemson Tigers in the second round of the ACC Women's Basketball Tournament at Greensboro Coliseum on March 02, 2023 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 02: Head coach Courtney Banghart talks with Deja Kelly #25 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during the second half of their game against the Clemson Tigers in the second round of the ACC Women's Basketball Tournament at Greensboro Coliseum on March 02, 2023 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Before hitting the road for the upcoming Gulf Coast Showcase, Courtney Banghart and the UNC women’s basketball program have one more tune-up game vs. Elon.

Courtney Banghart and the UNC women’s basketball program have started the season with a 3-0 record and hope to make it 4-0 before they head to Florida for the Gulf Coast Showcase during Thanksgiving weekend.

Before that trip, the Tar Heels have one more game on the schedule, as they’ll host Elon at Carmichael Arena for a Saturday afternoon battle.

North Carolina’s most recent game was on Wednesday morning, as the Tar Heels beat Hampton by 30 points on Field Trip Day in Chapel Hill. Elon has lost two of its three contests thus far, as they are coming off a brutal 55-point loss to NC State.

For the first time this season, the UNC women’s basketball program has a common opponent with the team they are about to face, as Elon defeated Gardner-Webb by a score of 90-69 on November 11. Three days prior, Banghart’s team put together a decisive victory over the Runnin’ Bulldogs to kick off the 2023-2024 season.

Given their most recent loss, some might overlook this Elon team. However, it’s not smart to overlook anyone, especially this season, as no top teams are ever safe!

Game Information

UNC Women’s Basketball (3-0) vs. Elon Phoenix (1-2)
Saturday, November 18, 2023
Carmichael Arena, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Tip-off: 3:00 PM EST
TV: ACCNX

Key to Victory for North Carolina

After shooting close to 50 percent from the floor against Davidson (which was much-needed, given that the Wildcats are no pushover!), the Tar Heels struggled shooting the basketball in the victory over Hampton.

Yes, they won by 30, I get that. However, the Tar Heels aren’t going to win many games if they shoot just 32 percent from the floor.

In this game, the key is to get the offense flowing. Good ball movement will help with this, as the goal should be to find the open shooter regardless of which lineup is on the floor.

Should we be concerned by the poor shooting performance from an 11 am game on a Wednesday morning?

No.

Is this a great opportunity for the UNC women’s basketball program to get back on track offensively, similar to what we saw in the first two games of the regular season?

Absolutely.

Something to Watch For

Paulina Paris has been outstanding to start the 2023-2024 season, as the sophomore guard has been playing significant minutes as the first player off the bench for Banghart’s team.

This seems to be a role that fits Paris well, but if she continues to produce at this level, will she force Banghart’s hand to insert her into the starting lineup?

True freshman Reniya Kelly has struggled offensively to start her Tar Heels career, as the fifth spot in the starting lineup may be up for grabs. As Banghart wants an experienced guard coming off the bench first, could Paris transition to the starting lineup when Kayla McPherson gets closer to full health and isn’t on a minutes restriction?

The way Paris is playing, a potential lineup switch is something the UNC women’s basketball program will at least have to seriously consider.

Projected Starters

No. 1 Alyssa Ustby (Sr. 6-1)
No. 5 Maria Gakdeng (Jr. 6-3)
No. 10 Reniya Kelly (Fr. 5-7)
No. 20 Lexi Donarski (Gr. 6-0)
No. 25 Deja Kelly (Sr. 5-8)

Home/UNC Womens Basketball