UNC Women's Basketball opens up 2024-2025 season against Charleston Southern

College basketball is BACK!

Courtney Banghart and the UNC women's basketball program open up the 2024-2025 season with a non-conference clash with the Charleston Southern Buccaneers.

The Tar Heels have a bit of a different look this season, but don't let that fool you: this is a team that is ready to compete. After a season that was derailed by numerous injuries, the hope is that this year's group can stay healthy, as there's plenty of talent throughout the entire roster.

Charleston Southern is coming off a disappointing 11-19 season, but the Buccaneers still played .500 basketball within their conference. Although the final record isn't ideal, it was a season of improvement for the Buccaneers, as they finished with a .500 record within the conference for the first time since the 2018-2019 season.

Heading into year four of the Clarisse White era, Charleston Southern aims to be even better this season.

Last Season In Review

North Carolina Tar Heels

Overall Record: 20-13
Conference Record: 11-7 (Tied for seventh place)
Home Record: 14-2
Away Record: 3-7
Neutral Site Record: 3-4

Charleston Southern Buccaneers

Overall Record: 11-19
Conference Record: 8-8 (Tied for fourth place)
Home Record: 8-6
Away Record: 3-12
Neutral Site Record: 0-1

Key Players (with 2023-2024 stats)

North Carolina

Alyssa Ustby (Gr. Forward)- 12.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists
Lexi Donarski (Gr. Guard)- 10.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists
Maria Gakdeng (Sr. Center)- 9.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.5 blocks

Charleston Southern

Catherine Alben (Jr. Guard)- 13.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.7 steals
Keshunti Nichols (Sr. Forward)- 7.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.1 steals
Madison Adamson (Sr. Guard/Forward)- 7.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.1 steals

Keys to Victory for North Carolina

While it would be extremely nice if the UNC women's basketball program comes out in rare form, we know that it takes time for teams to gel. That's why early non-conference games are great, as they allow teams the opportunity to play meaningful games against opponents that they won't see come conference play.

The Tar Heels have quite a few new faces, but the key in this game is to rely on the top returners to lead the way.

It's going to be important for both Maria Gakdeng and Alyssa Ustby to get going early. If the Tar Heels can establish a presence in the post from the jump, it will open up ample opportunities for the guards to work in space.

While there's plenty of talent to take some of the burden off the likes of Gakdeng, Ustby, and Lexi Donarski, the veteran returners need to pave the way to get the season started on a good note.

Something to Watch For

Unlike the men's team, we didn't get a chance to see the women's squad in action during the preseason.

The good news is: we don't have to wait much longer to see this year's team!

While the transfer additions of Trayanna Crisp and Grace Townsend should make immediate impacts, Tar Heels fans should be excited to see some of the new (and redshirt) freshmen.

Ciera Toomey and Laila Hull return after redshirt seasons while Blanca Thomas, Jordan Zubich and Lanie Grant (a reclassified freshman) all aim to make their UNC women's basketball debuts.

Fans should be very excited to see the newcomers play as the 2024-2025 season gets underway.

Projected Starters

No. 1 Alyssa Ustby (Gr. 6'1)
No. 2 Grace Townsend (Gr. 5'5)
No. 5 Maria Gakdeng (Sr. 6'3)
No. 11 Kayla McPherson (R-Jr. 5'8)
No. 20 Lexi Donarski (Gr. 6'0)