How have we already reached the end of the 2024-2025 college basketball regular season?!
The UNC women's basketball program has one more regular-season contest on the schedule: a matchup with the Virginia Cavaliers. North Carolina will celebrate its annual 'Senior Day,' honoring the five players who are true seniors or fifth-year student-athletes.
North Carolina is coming off a loss to Duke just a few days ago, a game in which both Reniya Kelly and Alyssa Ustby were sidelined due to injury. The status of both players for Sunday is to be determined, as the Tar Heels hope they are both healthy enough to return for their upcoming postseason action.
Speaking of the postseason, the UNC women's basketball program has a lot to play for on Sunday. Of course, the overall NCAA Tournament resume is still being written, but with a win, the Tar Heels can't be seeded lower than No. 4 in this week's ACC Tournament.
A top four seed means a double-bye, which would be huge for this team (given the recent injury struggles).
While this will be the final regular season game at Carmichael Arena, the hope is that there are still games to be played at the home of the Tar Heels come NCAA Tournament time.
2024-2025 Season
North Carolina Tar Heels
Overall record: 25-5
Conference Record: 13-4
Home Record: 12-3
Away Record: 9-1
Neutral Site Record: 4-1
Virginia Cavaliers
Overall record: 15-14
Conference Record: 7-10
Home Record: 9-8
Away Record: 5-4
Neutral Site Record: 1-2
Key Players
North Carolina
Maria Gakdeng (Sr. Forward/Center) – 11.1 points, 7.2 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, 2.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists
Virginia
Kymora Johnson (So. Guard) - 18.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 5.7 assists
Latasha Lattimore (Sr. Forward) - 14.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.0 assists
Paris Clark (Jr. Guard) - 9.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists
Keys to Victory for North Carolina
Limit the turnovers.
Turning over the basketball came back to haunt them in the loss to Duke, as North Carolina was forced to have various different ball handlers due to the absence of Kelly.
While her status is still very much a question mark, the Tar Heels must do a better job of protecting the ball.
If the Tar Heels can limit the turnovers, they are very much capable of winning this game. Of course, making sure Kymora Johnson, the Cavaliers' leading scorer, doesn't get going will also be a huge factor in this game.
Something to Watch for
Who will be available to play in this one?
It's 'Senior Day,' but we still might not see all the seniors in action. Ustby's still considered "week-to-week," while Kayla McPherson hasn't played all season.
While this game is important for them in terms of taking the court in front of the home crowd for what could be the final time, North Carolina likely won't rush back anyone with postseason play kicking off this week.
We'll have to wait and see how it shapes up, but it will certainly be an interesting development to follow as game time approaches.
Thank You Seniors!
Lexi Donarski
Maria Gakdeng
Kayla McPherson
Grace Townsend
Alyssa Ustby