UNC Women's Basketball faces tough task in ACC/SEC Challenge against Kentucky

The annual ACC/SEC Challenge is somewhat a reunion for the UNC women's basketball program.

While it's been a while since the Tar Heels and Kentucky have squared off against each other, but there are quite a few familiar faces on the other side. Teonni Key, who spent three seasons with the UNC women's basketball program, makes her return to Chapel Hill while the rest of the roster (and coaching staff) have sprinkles of Virginia Tech all around.

Tar Heel fans don't need to be reminded about who Kenny Brooks and Georgia Amoore are.

2024-2025 Season

North Carolina Tar Heels

Overall Record: 7-1
Conference Record: 0-0
Home Record: 3-0
Away Record: 1-0
Neutral Site Record: 3-1

Kentucky Wildcats

Overall Record: 7-0
Conference Record: 0-0
Home Record: 5-0
Away Record: 0-0
Neutral Site Record: 2-0

Key Players (with 2024-2025 stats)

North Carolina

Alyssa Ustby (Gr. Forward)- 11.8 points, 10.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists
Lexi Donarski (Gr. Guard)- 10.5 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists
Indya Nivar (Jr. Guard)- 10.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists

Kentucky

Clara Strack (So. Center) 18.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists
Georgia Amoore (Sr. Guard)- 15.0 points, 2.9 rebounds, 8.3 assists
Dazia Lawrence (Sr. Guard)- 13.3 points, 1.3 rebounds, 1.1 assists
Teonni Key (R-Jr. Forward)- 12.3 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists

History

The UNC women's basketball program has competed against Kentucky four times, winning three of those matchups.

In the latest matchup, which occurred on November 24, 2018, the Wildcats got the better of the Tar Heels, securing a 85-75 victory in the Virgin Islands as part of the Paradise Jam event. Stephanie Watts led all scorers with 27 points, connecting on seven three-pointers in 39 minutes of action.

Keys to Victory for North Carolina

This game is going to be a battle in the trenches.

Kentucky is one of the best rebounding teams in the country, as they currently have two players averaging double-digit rebounds, while one is not far behind that mark. Coming into this game, the Wildcats average ten more rebounds per game than their opponents, which is a rather significant advantage.

Fortunately, the UNC women's basketball program has size and rebounding ability to match up with Kentucky. This game is going to be decided by which team can clean up the board better, as the Tar Heels must make it a focal point to haul in rebounds on both ends of the court.

Something to Watch For

Teonni Key returns to Chapel Hill as a member of the Kentucky Wildcats.

Key spent three years at North Carolina before she decided to transfer this past offseason. She found a new home in Lexington, and she is THRIVING on the court!

The former Tar Heel comes in averaging close to a double-double: 12.3 points and 9.6 rebounds per-contest. While there was never a doubt that Key could develop into a star, she has proven that she can with the extended amount of playing time she's earned at Kentucky.

Key is the perfect example of how the transfer portal can benefit a student-athlete. While Tar Heel nation would've loved to have seen her stay, Key found a better opportunity elsewhere, and it's great to see her doing her thing on the court.

It's okay to secretly root for Key on Thursday night. We just hope she plays well and the Tar Heels still find a way to win.

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)