UNC Women’s Basketball ready for clash with No. 1 South Carolina
Courtney Banghart and the UNC women’s basketball program are ready for a big-time test as they host No. 1-ranked South Carolina on Thursday night.
It’s safe to say that Carmichael Arena will be rocking on Thursday night.
ESPN. Thursday, November 30. 5-2. 441. . 5-0. 533. 7:00 PM EST
The UNC women’s basketball program, ranked No. 24 in the latest AP Top 25 poll, is set to host South Carolina, the No. 1 ranked team in the country, in a big-time early season clash.
Thanksgiving weekend didn’t go as planned for the Tar Heels, as they are coming off two straight losses. Unfortunately, the schedule doesn’t get easier any time soon, as North Carolina will have to look to get back on track quickly.
For the Gamecocks, it just seems like Dawn Staley’s squads just keep getting better. Even when you think they may be ready to take a step back, they find a way to stay at that elite level, as evident by their rise to No. 1 in the early season rankings.
As part of the ACC/SEC Challenge, these are the types of games that Courtney Banghart wants her team to experience. With a crowd of blue filling up the arena, the atmosphere should be electric, which should ultimately favor the home team.
Key to Victory for North Carolina
As former UNC Basketball coach Roy Williams always said, “Everything looks better when the ball goes in the basket.”
Getting the ball in the basket was an issue for North Carolina in the Gulf Coast Showcase, as the Tar Heels struggled mightily from three-point range. To add to that, they also struggled at the free throw line, as some of the team’s most reliable shooters failed to capitalize on their opportunities at the line.
If the Tar Heels want to pull off this upset, they HAVE to be effective on the offensive side of the ball.
Hopefully, the return home will help them get back on track offensively, as this team has the talent to not make the three-day tournament struggles a season-long type of issue.
Something to Watch For
Maria Gakdeng was absolutely dominant against Florida Gulf Coast, putting together the best performance of her early Tar Heel career.
Thursday night will be a challenge, as she’ll likely be matched up with Kamilla Cardoso, South Carolina’s leading scorer and rebounder.
The Tar Heels need Gakdeng to be effective (and out of foul trouble); if she can get the better of Cardoso, it could go a very long way in helping North Carolina knock off the No. 1 team in the land.
In addition to the importance of Gakdeng, Deja Kelly continues to play at a high level. The two combined for the majority of the Tar Heels points in the third-place game of the Gulf Coast Showcase a few days ago, as North Carolina struggled to get offensive production from anyone else.
Against a team like South Carolina, it can’t be a two-player show, as the Tar Heels will need an all-hands-on-deck type of effort on both sides of the floor.
Projected Starters
No. 1 Alyssa Ustby (Sr. 6-1)
No. 5 Maria Gakdeng (Jr. 6-3)
No. 11 Kayla McPherson (R-So. 5-7)
No. 20 Lexi Donarski (Gr. 6-0)
No. 25 Deja Kelly (Sr. 5-8)