Before you settle in to watch the Super Bowl on Sunday night, make sure you don't miss the UNC women's basketball program in action just a few hours prior!
After a week off, the Tar Heels will return to action to complete a three-game road trip. Their final opponent of the stretch is the Clemson Tigers, a team that has not played great basketball as of late.
In fact, the Tigers have lost seven of their last eight games, with each of the previous five losses being by 12 points or more.
The Tar Heels hope to secure a double-digit victory of their own before they return to Carmichael Arena to play in front of the home crowd later on this week.
2024-2025 Season
North Carolina Tar Heels
Overall record: 20-4
Conference Record: 8-3
Home Record: 10-3
Away Record: 6-0
Neutral Site Record: 4-1
Clemson Tigers
Overall record: 11-12
Conference Record: 4-8
Home Record: 8-5
Away Record: 1-5
Neutral Site Record: 1-2
Key Players
North Carolina
Alyssa Ustby (Gr. Guard/Forward) – 11.6 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists
Maria Gakdeng (Sr. Forward/Center) – 11.0 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.3 blocks
Lexi Donarski (Gr. Guard) – 10.0 points, 1.9 rebounds, 1.6 assists
Clemson
Loyal McQueen (Sr. Guard) – 13.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, 5.0 assists
Mia Moore (Jr. Guard) – 10.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists
Hannah Kohn (So. Guard – 9.5 points, 2.0 rebounds, 0.8 assists
Keys to Victory for North Carolina
Shake off the rust (if there's any!)
A week off, especially following a West Coast trip, can be good for a team, but it could also lead to some rust. Athletes are so used to their typical schedules that when it's altered, it could impact production a bit.
For North Carolina, the goal in this one is to get out to a hot start and essentially pick up where they left off a week ago.
We know the recipe for this team to win games: elite defense, good ball movement (especially getting the ball into the post) along with strong ball protection. When the Tar Heels do those things, good things tend to happen, as the recipe for success shouldn't change one bit.
Something to Watch for
Another familiar face will be on the opposing sidelines for this one, as former Tar Heel Anya Poole is playing out her final collegiate season as a member of the Clemson Tigers.
Mostly in a reserve role, Poole has appeared in 22 games, averaging 5.9 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. She'll have some battles in the post with some former teammates, including fellow classmate Alyssa Ustby, as Poole will be the third former Tar Heel that squares off against the UNC women's basketball program this season (Alexandra Zelaya and Teonni Key were the others).
Projected Starters
No. 1 Alyssa Ustby (Gr. 6'1)
No. 5 Maria Gakdeng (Sr. 6'3)
No. 10 Reniya Kelly (So. 5'7)
No. 20 Lexi Donarski (Gr. 6'0)
No. 24 Indya Nivar (Jr. 5'10)