With just three games remaining in the regular season, the UNC women's basketball program is looking to secure a good seed for the upcoming ACC Tournament.
Their opponent on Sunday afternoon is in the same boat, as the two teams are currently tied in the ACC standings.
North Carolina travels to Louisville for what feels like a very important ACC clash. The winner of this game could greatly benefit, considering that the top four seeds receive not one, but two automatic "byes" in the ACC Tournament.
In this type of tournament setting, the less games you have to play consecutively, the better.
While the Tar Heels have won six straight, the Cardinals just may be the hottest team in the conference. Winners of four straight, Louisville is coming off back-to-back wins over Florida State and Duke.
If the Tar Heels can find a way to win this game, it would be a major boost for their ACC Tournament seeding, as they would hold the tiebreaker over Louisville and can clinch one against Duke with a win later on in the week.
For now, let's worry about the Cardinals.
2024-2025 Season
North Carolina Tar Heels
Overall record: 24-4
Conference Record: 12-3
Home Record: 12-3
Away Record: 8-0
Neutral Site Record: 4-1
Louisville Cardinals
Overall record: 19-7
Conference Record: 12-3
Home Record: 8-3
Away Record: 10-2
Neutral Site Record: 1-2
Key Players
North Carolina
Maria Gakdeng (Sr. Forward/Center) – 11.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.3 blocks
Alyssa Ustby (Gr. Guard/Forward) – 10.7 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists
Reniya Kelly (So. Guard) – 9.9 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists
Louisville
Tajianna Roberts (Fr. Guard) – 13.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists
Jayda Curry (Sr. Guard) – 12.8 points, 2.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists
Olivia Cochran (So. Forward) – 10.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists
Keys to Victory for North Carolina
Slow down Louisville's Dynamic Duo
A freshman and a senior have patrolled the backcourt for the Louisville Cardinals this season.
The duo of Tajianna Roberts and Jayda Curry have been a handful for opponents to handle. North Carolina's defensive effort must focus on not letting these two get hot, as they have had some big-time performances over the Cardinals' current four-game winning streak.
The likes of Lexi Donarski, Reniya Kelly and Indya Nivar (among others) will have their hands full, but if this group has taught us anything this season: they are more than capable of locking in defensively at an elite level.
Something to Watch for
Courtney Banghart provided a good injury update on Alyssa Ustby, who is expected to return this season.
However, Sunday might not be that day.
If Ustby is once again sidelined, will we see a change in Banghart's starting unit? Ciera Toomey drew the assignment in the win over Syracuse, but Banghart certainly has options to work with depending on matchups.
Projected Starters
No. 5 Maria Gakdeng (Sr. 6'3)
No. 10 Reniya Kelly (So. 5'7)
No. 20 Lexi Donarski (Gr. 6'0)
No. 21 Ciera Toomey (R-Fr. 6'4)
No. 24 Indya Nivar (Jr. 5'10)