UNC Women's Basketball to host in-state clash with UNC Wilmington
An in-state clash will occur on Thursday night in Chapel Hill as the UNC women's basketball program will host UNC Wilmington at Carmichael Arena.
Approximately 185 miles separate these two schools who will link up for some non-conference action. The Tar Heels will look to improve to 2-0 on the early season while the Seahawks will look to get in the win column following a loss to Virginia Tech on November 4.
ACCX. November 7, 2024. UNCW. 1-0. 7:00 PM EST. 0-1. 441. . 2362
2024-2025 Season
North Carolina Tar Heels
Overall Record: 1-0
Conference Record: 1-0
Home Record: 1-0
Away Record: 0-0
Neutral Site Record: 0-0
UNC Wilmington Seahawks
Overall Record: 0-1
Conference Record: 0-0
Home Record: 0-0
Away Record: 0-1
Neutral Site Record: 0-0
Key Players (with 2024-2025 stats)
North Carolina
Alyssa Ustby (Gr. Forward)- 18.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists
Lexi Donarski (Gr. Guard)- 14.0 points, 1.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists
Maria Gakdeng (Sr. Center)- 4.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists
UNC Wilmington
Taylor Henderson (Redshirt So. Guard)- 13.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.0 steals
Jania Hall (Gr. Guard)- 11.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists
Alexandra Zelaya (Gr. Forward)- 9.0 points, 1.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists
Keys to Victory for North Carolina
The Tar Heels should win this game, and it should be by a lot (similar to the season opener against Charleston Southern).
HOWEVER, you can't take anyone lightly. Here's the area that I want to see the UNC women's basketball program improve upon in game No. 2.
Three-Point Shooting: The Tar Heels struggled mightily from deep in the season opener, connecting on just six of their 28 three-point field goal attempts.
The looks are there, the Tar Heels just need to connect.
As the spacing seems to be a lot better for this year's squad, I'm interested to see how they shoot the basketball from deep in their second game. I don't expect the likes of Jordan Zubich, Lanie Grant, and Grace Townsend to miss all their attempts from deep often, as the ball will eventually start to find the net (it's just a matter of when).
Something to Watch For
A very familiar face returns to Chapel Hill for this game!
Alexandra Zelaya, who spent her first four seasons at North Carolina, is now playing her graduate season at UNC Wilmington.
It will be nice to see Zelaya, who should get a very warm reception from the Tar Heel faithful.
Projected Starters
No. 1 Alyssa Ustby (Gr. 6'1)
No. 2 Grace Townsend (Gr. 5'5)
No. 5 Maria Gakdeng (Sr. 6'3)
No. 10 Reniya Kelly (So. 5'7)
No. 20 Lexi Donarski (Gr. 6'0)