Keeping It Heel
Fansided

UNC Women’s Basketball to face Kansas State in top-25 showdown

By Nick Delahanty

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 15: Fans cheer during the game between the Wofford Terriers and the North Carolina Tar Heels at Carmichael Arena on December 15, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 15: Fans cheer during the game between the Wofford Terriers and the North Carolina Tar Heels at Carmichael Arena on December 15, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
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Courtney Banghart and the UNC women’s basketball program prepare for its biggest test thus far as they take on No. 16-ranked Kansas State.

. 5 PM EST. 5-0. FloHoops. 5-0. 441. 463. Saturday, November 25

Let the games begin!

After barely surviving against Vermont on Friday afternoon, the UNC women’s basketball program is back at it on Saturday as they take on No. 16-ranked Kansas State in the semi-finals of the Gulf Coast Showcase in Estero, Florida.

Both teams are ranked in the top 25 polls and come in with 5-0 records. One of them will be added to the loss column after Saturday’s battle, one that should draw plenty of attention around the college basketball world.

This will be a battle for Courtney Banghart’s team, as they can’t perform as they did in the first half against Vermont if they want any chance to win this game. The Tar Heels will need to put together a solid four-quarter effort to take home a win that could really help them come tournament seeding time.

Key to Victory for North Carolina

North Carolina will have to slow down 6-6 senior forward Ayoka Lee, a player who has been a matchup nightmare for opposing teams.

Lee comes into this game averaging 20.8 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, as she has been an absolute force in the post over her collegiate career. She has two double-doubles on the season, one of which propelled Kansas State to an upset victory over Iowa last week.

The Tar Heels will have to make life difficult for Lee while attempting to stay out of foul trouble. Maria Gakdeng will play a significant role in trying to defend Lee, while Anya Poole and Alyssa Ustby will probably draw the assignment throughout the game.

Something to Watch For

Lexi Donarski did not play in the first half of the victory over Vermont, as Banghart told the media that the grad transfer suffered an ankle injury this week in practice. Although she was unavailable for the first half, Donarski battled through, playing in the second half while providing a huge spark in the Tar Heels’ comeback effort.

Now, playing on back-to-back days, how much can Donarski give the Tar Heels? We saw North Carolina start freshman Reniya Kelly and transfer Indya Nivar (in place of Donarski and Paulina Paris), as it should be expected that another starting lineup change could be in the works for this contest.

The good thing is that this Tar Heels team has a lot of depth. The bad thing is that they can’t seem to get healthy all together at once.

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) (If Donarski once again doesn’t start, Nivar likely fills her spot)
No. 25 Deja Kelly (Sr. 5-8)

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