For those who have not watched, we have a really good 17 year old guard--Lanie Grant. This team may be stacking stars for something really great down the road. And they aren't too bad this year!
Women's Basketball
- Thread starter Jarrod Hardy
- Start date
The future is bright for the women's program. Banghart is doing a great job molding this team into a consistent winner. The things which stands out the most is this team's on defense they are holding their opposition to around 50 points a game. Each game they have someone who steps up and lead the team, when the star players are not playing well. Toomey and Thomas are only going to get better as they both are freshman centers, and with the class that coming in next year they will be challenging ND for conference supremacy.
For those who get disenchanted with the men's basketball team, I suggest that you watch at least one game. It may change your perspective of women's basketball.
For those who get disenchanted with the men's basketball team, I suggest that you watch at least one game. It may change your perspective of women's basketball.
UNC played Wake Forest at home 1/23/2025 won 76 to 51. UNC was some lackadaisical in the first half, it appears Banghart put them on the right path the second half and the game was a blowout.
Stats - FG% UNC at 57 and WF at 48%.
3 Point FG% - UNC at 44 and WF at 36%
FT% - UNC at 53 and WF at 67% - Note this has been an achilleas heel for the women's team, even though Ustby is a great player, she went 1 for 4 from the FT line. It's amazing she has never been much above a 60% FT shooter.
TO's - UNC had 18 and WF had 24
Rebounds UNC - 28 and WF had 20, of these 8 were offensive rebounds for UNC
Bench points - UNC 32 and WF had 11
Leader score Donarski with 17 points, L. Grant the freshman phenom had 10 points, and Townsend had 13 points, but had trouble with TO's committing 4.
Rebound lead - Ustby with 9
Assist - R. Kelly with 4
Steals - UNC had 13 and WF had 9, with Nivar accounting for 5 of these, she reminds me of films which I have seen of Dudley Bradley for the men's team.
Record - UNC 18-3 overall, and 6-2 in conference play.
Next game is at home against Florida State who comes in with a 15-4 record on 1/26/2025
Stats - FG% UNC at 57 and WF at 48%.
3 Point FG% - UNC at 44 and WF at 36%
FT% - UNC at 53 and WF at 67% - Note this has been an achilleas heel for the women's team, even though Ustby is a great player, she went 1 for 4 from the FT line. It's amazing she has never been much above a 60% FT shooter.
TO's - UNC had 18 and WF had 24
Rebounds UNC - 28 and WF had 20, of these 8 were offensive rebounds for UNC
Bench points - UNC 32 and WF had 11
Leader score Donarski with 17 points, L. Grant the freshman phenom had 10 points, and Townsend had 13 points, but had trouble with TO's committing 4.
Rebound lead - Ustby with 9
Assist - R. Kelly with 4
Steals - UNC had 13 and WF had 9, with Nivar accounting for 5 of these, she reminds me of films which I have seen of Dudley Bradley for the men's team.
Record - UNC 18-3 overall, and 6-2 in conference play.
Next game is at home against Florida State who comes in with a 15-4 record on 1/26/2025
UNC women hosted Florida State today, but unfortunately they ending up on the losing end 86 -84. This was a game which UNC did not shot the ball extremely well. Ustby, Gakdeng and R. Kelly played exceptionally well, but the rest of the team only made 13 of 44 shots from the field for a mere 29%. Do not expect this to be a norm going forward, it was just one of those games. Credit to Florida State they played exceptionally well today, probably their best game of the season thus far. With the game tied at 84, Latson of Florida State made a layup with 00.03 second left in the game. Thought it was going to overtime.
Stats below:
FG% - UNC at 46% and Florida State at 40%
3P-FG% - UNC at 33% and Florida State at 45%
FT% - UNC at 82% and Florida State at 94%
T/O's - UNC had 11 and Florida State had 7. Strange that Florida State had that low number of T'O's which was a season low for them. Considering that UNC defense normally causes teams to turn the ball over 20 or more times a game.
Rebounds - Each team had 39.
Steals - UNC 2 and Florida State 4
UNC leaders
Scoring - Maria Gakdeng had 21 points
Rebounding - A. Ustby had 10
Assist G. Townsend had 6
Current record for the women: 18-4 Overall, and 6-3 in conference play
Next games are on the West Coast - At California on 1/30 and at Stanford on 2/2/2025.
Stats below:
FG% - UNC at 46% and Florida State at 40%
3P-FG% - UNC at 33% and Florida State at 45%
FT% - UNC at 82% and Florida State at 94%
T/O's - UNC had 11 and Florida State had 7. Strange that Florida State had that low number of T'O's which was a season low for them. Considering that UNC defense normally causes teams to turn the ball over 20 or more times a game.
Rebounds - Each team had 39.
Steals - UNC 2 and Florida State 4
UNC leaders
Scoring - Maria Gakdeng had 21 points
Rebounding - A. Ustby had 10
Assist G. Townsend had 6
Current record for the women: 18-4 Overall, and 6-3 in conference play
Next games are on the West Coast - At California on 1/30 and at Stanford on 2/2/2025.
Carolina missed several wide open layups. I mean wide the fug open layups. Defense on the last play was awful, absolutely awful.
Have to agree with your assessments, they did not play to their potentials today ( offensively or defensively). You can bet that Banghart has let them know that, and the west coast trip will be a lot different.
Last edited:
Courtesy of ESPN. Member of the 2025 McDonald's All American game to be played on 4/1/2025. Congrats to Nyla on making the team.
W Nyla Brooks
6-1 | Bishop Ireton (Virginia) | Boo Williams | North Carolina
ESPNW ranking: 20
Brooks is a slashing wing with a knack for a pull-up jumper. Over her high school career, she became more of a consistent 3-point threat, rising among the class. Brooks uses her length on the glass and on defense very well. Her ability to create space for the pull-up jumper separates her.
Brooks will bring a scoring punch to the perimeter for Courtney Banghart and the Tar Heels. This will provide some balance as they have been strong inside and can utilize Brooks' ability to score off the bounce to their advantage.
W Nyla Brooks
6-1 | Bishop Ireton (Virginia) | Boo Williams | North Carolina
ESPNW ranking: 20
Brooks is a slashing wing with a knack for a pull-up jumper. Over her high school career, she became more of a consistent 3-point threat, rising among the class. Brooks uses her length on the glass and on defense very well. Her ability to create space for the pull-up jumper separates her.
Brooks will bring a scoring punch to the perimeter for Courtney Banghart and the Tar Heels. This will provide some balance as they have been strong inside and can utilize Brooks' ability to score off the bounce to their advantage.
UNC women were able to bounce back after losing by two points to Florida State on Sunday. They visited California last night and came away with a win 65 to 52. They returned to their lock down defense which they have played most of the year. Going into the game UNC was ranked #15 and California was ranked #19.
Stats for the game.
FG% - UNC at 47.4 and California at 37.3
3 Pt. FG% - UNC at 37.5 and California at 29.4
FT% - UNC at 61.5 and California at 81.8 ( This has been a weakness of this team in certain games, depends on who's shooting them)
Rebounds - UNC had 38 and California 28
TO'S - UNC had 14 and California had 16
Steals - UNC had 6 and California had 3
Scoring Leader - Regina Kelly - 16 points
Rebounding Leader - Maria Gakdeng - 13
Assist - Lanie Grant - 3
Summary:
Records - UNC overall at 19-4 ( Conference 7-3), California overall at 18-4 ( Conference 6-3)
Next game at Stanford on 2/2/2025
Stats for the game.
FG% - UNC at 47.4 and California at 37.3
3 Pt. FG% - UNC at 37.5 and California at 29.4
FT% - UNC at 61.5 and California at 81.8 ( This has been a weakness of this team in certain games, depends on who's shooting them)
Rebounds - UNC had 38 and California 28
TO'S - UNC had 14 and California had 16
Steals - UNC had 6 and California had 3
Scoring Leader - Regina Kelly - 16 points
Rebounding Leader - Maria Gakdeng - 13
Assist - Lanie Grant - 3
Summary:
Records - UNC overall at 19-4 ( Conference 7-3), California overall at 18-4 ( Conference 6-3)
Next game at Stanford on 2/2/2025
Good win on the road vs ranked Cal team
Now hope can go for Golden State sweep today at Stanford
Now hope can go for Golden State sweep today at Stanford
For those who were unaware the game today was on CW where UNC women continued their West Coast trip with their final game against Stanford. The UNC women were able to secure a 69 to 67 win over the Stanford women, the only team this season that went 2-0 on their road trip to California and Stanford. One other note which I observed today is that UNC and Notre Dame women are the only undefeated teams on the road this season in the ACC. UNC women are currently 20-4 overall and 8-3 in conference play. Their goal is to finish in the top four and receive a double bye into the quarter-finals of the ACCT. Stats from the game are below:
FG% UNC - 40.3% and Stanford 41.4% - The team did not shoot exceptional well today, probably due to the time change adjustments.
3PT% - UNC made 9 of 17 shots for 52.9% - Stanford only made 3 of 14 for 21.4% - Note Ustby made 4 of 5 three pointers attempted which is a career high for her.
FT% - UNC only attempted 4 FT's the entire game and made 2 of them. Stanford shot 19 and made 18 of them for 94.7%. Not to seem bias but the fouls called in this game were in favor of Stanford as the stats show.
Rebounds - UNC with 37 and Stanford with 36.
Turnovers - UNC with 11 and Stanford with 15.
UNC scoring leader Ustby with 16, Rebound leader Blanc Thomas with 9, and assist Townsend with 4.
UNC had five players in double digits scoring, and Stanford only had 2 players.
UNC played 9 players with 8 of them in the scoring category.
Next game is at Clemson on 2/9/2025.
FG% UNC - 40.3% and Stanford 41.4% - The team did not shoot exceptional well today, probably due to the time change adjustments.
3PT% - UNC made 9 of 17 shots for 52.9% - Stanford only made 3 of 14 for 21.4% - Note Ustby made 4 of 5 three pointers attempted which is a career high for her.
FT% - UNC only attempted 4 FT's the entire game and made 2 of them. Stanford shot 19 and made 18 of them for 94.7%. Not to seem bias but the fouls called in this game were in favor of Stanford as the stats show.
Rebounds - UNC with 37 and Stanford with 36.
Turnovers - UNC with 11 and Stanford with 15.
UNC scoring leader Ustby with 16, Rebound leader Blanc Thomas with 9, and assist Townsend with 4.
UNC had five players in double digits scoring, and Stanford only had 2 players.
UNC played 9 players with 8 of them in the scoring category.
Next game is at Clemson on 2/9/2025.
UNC women visit Clemson this afternoon, and were able to secure a hard fought 53 to 51 win. This concludes an extended trip of road games after playing at Stanford and California. The women did not shoot the ball exceptionally well today, but as has been the case most of the season, they excels on defense. Stats below:
FG% - UNC at 36% and Clemson at 37%
3PT FG% - UNC at 17% and Clemson at 33%
FT% - UNC at 71% and Clemson at 79%
Turnovers - UNC had 14 and Clemson with 12
Rebounds - UNC had 42 and Clemson had 25
UNC Team Highs
Reniya Kelly - 17 points
Ustby - 13 rebounds
Reniya Kelly - 4 assist
UNC current record is 21-4 overall and 9-3 in Conference play
Next game at home against Virginia Tech on 2/13
FG% - UNC at 36% and Clemson at 37%
3PT FG% - UNC at 17% and Clemson at 33%
FT% - UNC at 71% and Clemson at 79%
Turnovers - UNC had 14 and Clemson with 12
Rebounds - UNC had 42 and Clemson had 25
UNC Team Highs
Reniya Kelly - 17 points
Ustby - 13 rebounds
Reniya Kelly - 4 assist
UNC current record is 21-4 overall and 9-3 in Conference play
Next game at home against Virginia Tech on 2/13
Last edited:
UNC women welcome a very good VT team to Chapel Hill last night, and was able to prevail 67 to 62. Once again their defense was the catalysis which lead them to a win. VT was at their best shooting the 3 pointer last night to offset the UNC women's inside game. Stats are below:
FG% - UNC at 43% and VT at 43%
3Pt % - UNC at 35% and VT at 62%
FT% - UNC at 69% and VT at 89%
TO's - UNC had 14 and VT had 16
Steals - UNC with 9 and VT with 2
Rebounds - UNC 34 and VT 28
Team Leader
Scoring - Reniya Kelly 20 points
Rebounding - Alyssa Ustby with 16
Assist - Alyssa Ustby with 3
Current record UNC 22-4 and 10-3 in Conference play
Next game is against NC State in Chapel Hill on 2/16/2025. State has a record of 20-4 and 12-1 in Conference play
Should be an exciting game, if you have the opportunity to watch this please accommodate.
FG% - UNC at 43% and VT at 43%
3Pt % - UNC at 35% and VT at 62%
FT% - UNC at 69% and VT at 89%
TO's - UNC had 14 and VT had 16
Steals - UNC with 9 and VT with 2
Rebounds - UNC 34 and VT 28
Team Leader
Scoring - Reniya Kelly 20 points
Rebounding - Alyssa Ustby with 16
Assist - Alyssa Ustby with 3
Current record UNC 22-4 and 10-3 in Conference play
Next game is against NC State in Chapel Hill on 2/16/2025. State has a record of 20-4 and 12-1 in Conference play
Should be an exciting game, if you have the opportunity to watch this please accommodate.
Women knock off NC $tate at Carmichael this afternoon, 66-65. Good game with a great defensive play at end of game to secure the win.
Has anyone heard what happened to Ustby.i sure hope it's nothing serious because they really need her.
The refs game state several continuation calls that were ridiculous. I hope the ACC repamands them for the bull crap calls. Even the announcers made .ention they were wrong in there calls.
I was there and it was a great game! The refs missed some but I thought they called a fair game. They called several "continuation" baskets for each team. They were not by the rules although I wish the rules did allow them. I am also wondering about Utsby. She subbed out shortly after the game had started. I don't think she was even on the bench for most of the game.
Oh no--possible knee injury for Utsby: https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/ot...-s-what-we-know/ar-AA1zapip?ocid=BingNewsSerp
Watched the game, it was a major blow for the UNC women's team with Ustby only playing 2.5 to 3.0 minutes. Hopefully the MRI will only show something minor. This team has been playing well lately, their defense has been enormous, but this team can not afford to have Ustby out for an extended period of time. That contributed to State outrebounding UNC by 20 today, her present was missed. Reniya Kelly has become a player at the point guard position, once the freshman's Toomey, Thomas and Grant gain more experience along with the incoming class they will be a force to reckon with.
Next game is at Syracuse on 2/20/2025. Glad the women's team is beginning to receive some of the recognition they deserve.
Current record is 23-4 and 11-3 in conference play.
Leaders for UNC today:
Pointes - Reniya Kelly - 23
Rebounds - Maria Gakdeng - 8
Assist - Grace Townsend -2
Next game is at Syracuse on 2/20/2025. Glad the women's team is beginning to receive some of the recognition they deserve.
Current record is 23-4 and 11-3 in conference play.
Leaders for UNC today:
Pointes - Reniya Kelly - 23
Rebounds - Maria Gakdeng - 8
Assist - Grace Townsend -2
Caught last two or so mins wasn’t aware that ustby was hurt hope nothing serious
Way to go ladies
Way to go ladies
Can’t afford to lose Utsby for long. She’s the heart of this team.
Has anyone heard an update on Utsby's injury? I have looked but can't find anything.
Have been unable to find out any information so far, there will probably be an update on Thursday before they play at Syracuse.
Decided to add something which was interesting about the players who left the program and how they are performing at their new schools.
1. Paulina Paris - Arizona
Pts per game - 8.0, Rebounds -2.0, Assist - 2.0, FG% - 41.3, 3Pt FG% - 32.2, FT% - 64.7
2. Rylee Grays - Virginia
Pts per game - 2.0, Rebounds - 2.7, Assist - 0.1, FG% - 31.8, FT% - 64.3
3. Deja Kelly - Oregon
Pts per game - 10.7, Rebounds - 4.4, Assist - 3.3, FG% - 37.8, 3Pt FG% - 29.7, FT% - 67.2
4. Anya Poole - Clemson
Pts per game - 5.4, Rebounds -3.6, Assist - 1.1, FG% - 57.8, , FT% - 70.8
5. Teonni Key - Kentucky
Pts per game - 11.8, Rebounds -8.7, Assist - 1.8, FG% - 53.6, 3Pt FG% - 25.0, FT% - 71.4
6. Alexandra Zelaya - UNC Wilmington
Pts per game - 12.0, Rebounds -9.2, Assist - 2.1, FG% - 39.2, 3Pt FG% - 25.8, FT% - 82.4
Not sure how any of the players who departed would have fit in with the group which is currently on the roster. The one player which I had mix emotions about departing was Teonni Key, thought she had some potentials. Despite having an injury prong career at UNC, and her basketball "IQ" suffered. Her on court decision making and defense probably lead to her to transfer, and being promised more playing time.
Wish all the ladies who chose another school success in their endeavor, and prosperity. They will always be a part of UNC's success.
1. Paulina Paris - Arizona
Pts per game - 8.0, Rebounds -2.0, Assist - 2.0, FG% - 41.3, 3Pt FG% - 32.2, FT% - 64.7
2. Rylee Grays - Virginia
Pts per game - 2.0, Rebounds - 2.7, Assist - 0.1, FG% - 31.8, FT% - 64.3
3. Deja Kelly - Oregon
Pts per game - 10.7, Rebounds - 4.4, Assist - 3.3, FG% - 37.8, 3Pt FG% - 29.7, FT% - 67.2
4. Anya Poole - Clemson
Pts per game - 5.4, Rebounds -3.6, Assist - 1.1, FG% - 57.8, , FT% - 70.8
5. Teonni Key - Kentucky
Pts per game - 11.8, Rebounds -8.7, Assist - 1.8, FG% - 53.6, 3Pt FG% - 25.0, FT% - 71.4
6. Alexandra Zelaya - UNC Wilmington
Pts per game - 12.0, Rebounds -9.2, Assist - 2.1, FG% - 39.2, 3Pt FG% - 25.8, FT% - 82.4
Not sure how any of the players who departed would have fit in with the group which is currently on the roster. The one player which I had mix emotions about departing was Teonni Key, thought she had some potentials. Despite having an injury prong career at UNC, and her basketball "IQ" suffered. Her on court decision making and defense probably lead to her to transfer, and being promised more playing time.
Wish all the ladies who chose another school success in their endeavor, and prosperity. They will always be a part of UNC's success.
Last edited:
Would love to see a matchup with Oregon in the tournament!!!
Also just to add that Kennedy Todd-Williams is still at Ole Miss though she transferred a couple years back
Also just to add that Kennedy Todd-Williams is still at Ole Miss though she transferred a couple years back
Did not include her since the focus was on the players who move last season to a new team. BTW observed her playing a game not too long ago, she is a decent player but still have issues with TO's. Not being critical but factual, but she will always be a Tar Heel.
Was able to secure some information regarding the status of Ustby. Per: Banghart suggested that it isn't an ACL injury, and that Ustby will miss a few games. She did not travel to Syracuse for their game tonight, it seems to be a precautionary measure. Even though she wanted to, since her goal is the Carolina rebounding record, which Banghart hopes she secures it.
UNC women were able to secure a win at Syracuse tonight, final score of 68 to 58. This was another game which Carolina did not shot the ball extremely well, and had a lot of unforced TO's, but they relied on their defense which has been their mainstay this season. Even though they they miss Ustby who did not make the trip to Syracuse, Toomey started in place.
Stats are below:
FG% UNC - 45.9% and Syracuse 38.9%
3Pt FG% - UNC 36.8% and Syracuse at 56.3% - The Orange were able to make 9 of 16 shorts from the 3 point line
FT% - UNC 100% and Syracuse 87.5%
Rebounds UNC - 40 and Syracuse 26
Turnovers UNC 20 and Syracuse 17 - Lot of UNC TO's were unforced
Leaders - Points Maria Gakdeng - 21
Rebounds - Maria Gakdeng - 14
Assist - Reniya Kelly - 6
Summary: Maria Gakdeng had a monster game which was needed since Ustby did not play. The women's team is ranked number 9 in the Polls, their highest ranking in the last 3 years. Current Record is 24-4 and 12-3 in Conference play.
Next game is at Louisville on Sunday 2/23/2025, going to be a stern test since Louisville just defeated Duke women in Durham tonight. That the first lost at home this year for Duke. Unclear whether Banghart will clear Ustby to play or not this Sunday. Currently they are on course to secure a double bye in the ACCT.
Stats are below:
FG% UNC - 45.9% and Syracuse 38.9%
3Pt FG% - UNC 36.8% and Syracuse at 56.3% - The Orange were able to make 9 of 16 shorts from the 3 point line
FT% - UNC 100% and Syracuse 87.5%
Rebounds UNC - 40 and Syracuse 26
Turnovers UNC 20 and Syracuse 17 - Lot of UNC TO's were unforced
Leaders - Points Maria Gakdeng - 21
Rebounds - Maria Gakdeng - 14
Assist - Reniya Kelly - 6
Summary: Maria Gakdeng had a monster game which was needed since Ustby did not play. The women's team is ranked number 9 in the Polls, their highest ranking in the last 3 years. Current Record is 24-4 and 12-3 in Conference play.
Next game is at Louisville on Sunday 2/23/2025, going to be a stern test since Louisville just defeated Duke women in Durham tonight. That the first lost at home this year for Duke. Unclear whether Banghart will clear Ustby to play or not this Sunday. Currently they are on course to secure a double bye in the ACCT.
Indeed it was, when normally they average around 11 to 12 turnovers per game. There have been games which they were in the singe digits with TO's.
