The greatest rivalry in college basketball returns to Chapel Hill for the first time in 2025.
The No. 19-ranked UNC women's basketball team is set for a highly-anticipated confrontation against No. 14-ranked Duke on Thursday in Carmichael Arena. Coming off the heels of a hard-fought loss to No. 3-ranked Notre Dame, the Tar Heels will look to earn another marquee win this season.
2024-2025 Season
No. 19 North Carolina Tar Heels
Overall Record: 13-3
Conference Record: 1-2
Home Record: 7-2
Away Record: 2-0
Neutral Site Record: 4-1
No. 14 Duke Blue Devils
Overall Record: 12-3
Conference Record: 3-0
Home Record: 7-0
Away Record: 3-3
Neutral Site Record: 2-0
Key Players (with 2024-2025 stats)
North Carolina
Maria Gakdeng (Sr. Forward) - 11.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.1 blocks
Alyssa Ustby (Gr. Forward) - 11.4 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists
Lexi Donarski (Gr. Guard) - 9.5 points, 1.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists
Duke
Toby Fournier (Fr. Forward) - 12.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.3 blocks (Questionable for Thursday's game)
Reigan Richardson (Sr. Guard) - 12.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists
Ashlon Jackson (Jr. Guard) - 11.9 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists
Keys to Victory for North Carolina
Attack the glass.
UNC ranks 13th in the ACC in rebounding margin. In North Carolina's three losses this season, the Tar Heels have been outrebounded by an average of 11 boards per game.
Against a Duke team that allows the fewest opponent rebounds per game in the conference, grabbing boards will be all the more imperative for UNC on Thursday.
Something to Watch For
How will Alyssa Ustby rise to the occasion in her final home contest against the Blue Devils?
Ustby has had some of the best games of her career when facing Duke, averaging 13 points in her seven rivalry games. This will be her final opportunity in front of the home fans to cement herself in UNC-Duke lore forever.
A 15-point double-double for Ustby would go a long way in securing a victory for North Carolina on Thursday.
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)