The UNC women's basketball is playing elite basketball.
Ranked No. 9 in the latest AP Top 25 poll, the Tar Heels are coming off a huge victory over previously-ranked NC State. Looking to build on their five-game winning streak, Courtney Banghart's team is set to hit the road to take on Syracuse, where the weather is extremely cold.
Some would say the weather correlates to what a struggle it's been for the Orange throughout the 2024-2025 season.
Nonetheless, this is a game the UNC women's basketball program wants to win as they look to continue moving up the conference standings.
2024-2025 Season
North Carolina Tar Heels
Overall record: 23-4
Conference Record: 11-3
Home Record: 12-3
Away Record: 7-0
Neutral Site Record: 4-1
Syracuse Orange
Overall record: 10-15
Conference Record: 4-10
Home Record: 6-7
Away Record: 3-7
Neutral Site Record: 1-1
Key Players
North Carolina
Maria Gakdeng (Sr. Forward/Center) – 10.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.2 blocks
Alyssa Ustby (Gr. Guard/Forward) – 10.7 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists
Reniya Kelly (So. Guard) – 10.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists
Syracuse
Georgia Woolley (Sr. Guard) – 15.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists
Kyra Wood (Sr. Forward) – 11.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, 0.7 assists
Sophie Burrows (So. Guard) – 11.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists
Keys to Victory for North Carolina
Feed the Beast
Maria Gakdeng is a force to be reckowned with in the post, as North Carolina must make it a consertive effort to get her involved early and often.
When Gakdeng is making her presence felt, the UNC women's basketball program is a much better squad. Getting her involved early, especially if it results in foul trouble for the Orange, would go a long way in securing a victory.
Team effort on the glass
The Tar Heels got out-rebounded by a large margin against NC State, as Alyssa Ustby (who we'll talk about more in a minute) was sidelined due to injury.
Whether or not Ustby can play, the Tar Heels need to do a better job of making it a collective effort on the glass.
Something to Watch for
Speaking of Ustby: we haven't heard much about the star forward's injury.
Her status for this game (along with her long-term status) is something Tar Heel fans are keeping a close eye on. If she's unable to play, how will Banghart elect to fill her spot in the starting lineup?
Fortunately, there are options.
The Tar Heels could go with a smaller look, starting Grace Townsend or Lanie Grant, or can elect to use Ciera Toomey or Blanca Thomas in place of Ustby.
While the hope is that Ustby is good to go, we'll have to wait and see what her status is.
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)