UNC Women's Basketball set to host UNC Greensboro in mid-week in-state contest

One of the hottest teams in the country through the first stretch of the 2024-2025 season, the UNC women's basketball program looks to continue its success as they host UNC Greensboro on Wednesday night in Chapel Hill.

Currently ranked No. 14 in the AP Top 25 poll, the Tar Heels will take on the Spartans before getting a small taste of ACC play on Sunday afternoon against Georgia Tech. Before the Tar Heels get to that point, they must take care of business against UNC Greensboro, another team who is off to a strong start this season.

2024-2025 Season

North Carolina Tar Heels

Overall Record: 9-1
Conference Record: 0-0
Home Record: 5-0
Away Record: 1-0
Neutral Site Record: 3-1

UNC Greensboro Spartans

Overall Record: 7-2
Conference Record: 0-0
Home Record: 5-0
Away Record: 1-1
Neutral Site Record: 1-1

Key Players (with 2024-2025 stats)

North Carolina

Alyssa Ustby (Gr. Forward)- 11.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists
Lexi Donarski (Gr. Guard)- 9.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists
Indya Nivar (Jr. Guard)- 8.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists

UNC Greensboro

Jayde Gamble (Sr. Guard) 14.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists
Jaila Lee (Jr. Guard)- 11.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists
Nya Smith (Fr. Guard)- 8.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, 0.4 assists

History

The UNC women's basketball program has won all five meetings between the two teams, the latest being an 81-66 victory in Chapel Hill on December 6, 2023.

Lexi Donarski led all scorers with 22 points, connecting on seven of her nine shots from the floor (including six of her eight three-point field goal attempts). Alyssa Ustby was also very efficient, finishing the game with 13 points to go along with six assists, five rebounds and two steals. In total, North Carolina had six players score in double-figures in the victory.

It's important to note that each of the five victories in this series have been by 15 points or more.

Keys to Victory for North Carolina

The UNC women's basketball program has a very strong front court, as the Tar Heels have benefitted from being able to capitalize in the post.

UNC Greensboro, on the other hand, is a smaller group that essentially rebounds by committee.

For North Carolina, it's key to assert yourself on the glass early and often.

The Tar Heels need to make it difficult for the Spartans to get any second-chance opportunities, as more chances for North Carolina typically lead to good things. Look for Maria Gakeng and Alyssa Ustby to get touches early on in this game, as it's very likely that North Carolina will work it's way inside in order to open up opportunities along the perimeter.

Something to Watch For

It was raining threes in Carmichael Arena on Sunday, as the UNC women's basketball program knocked down 12 three-pointers.

Now having connected on 19 triples through their previous two games, can the Tar Heels continue their success from beyond-the-arc, especially given that the success has come via contributions from multiple players?

If they can continue to shoot the ball well from deep, the sky is the limit for this team as the season rolls along.

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)