By R.L. Bynum
The aftermath of North Carolina’s loss to Miami in the ACC tournament led to plenty of reflection for the Tar Heels as they refocused for the two-week break before the start of the NCAA tournament.
That long down period finally ends at 11:30 a.m. Friday in Columbia, S.C., when the No. 8-seed Tar Heels (19–12) face No. 9-seed Michigan State (22–8) in a first-round game at the Colonial Life Arena.
Senior guard Deja Kelly said that, for a few days, the team had some days off and had to spend some time away from each other.
“It stuck with us for a little minute,” Kelly said of the 60–59 loss to the Hurricanes on March 8. “I think us older ones, especially, us vets. That one stings. We knew we had to put one foot forward and worry about someone else next and put that behind us and focus on getting better within that kind of last week and a half-ish.”
To rebound from that frustration, Kelly said it was up to her and fellow senior co-captain to be leaders to make sure that the Tar Heels had the right attitude coming into the Michigan State game.
“But just knowing that we have to be able to lead our team through tough games like that,” Kelly said. “Even if we’re not playing well we have to find ways to win. I think that’s where we had a drop-off throughout the game.”
Ustby said two important goals offensively will be for the Tar Heels to execute their offensive actions and get the right players good shots.
“I think those two things would be really helpful for us to pull out some of these closer games, and understanding that these games come down to those details, especially in March,” Ustby said. “The little details are big moments and big things that matter.”
Redshirt sophomore Paulina Paris and freshman Reniya Kelly, both guards, aren’t expected to play this weekend. UNC officially lists both as “day to day” and hasn’t given any more details because of HIPAA laws. But sources say Paris hasn’t been practicing even though she’s been medically cleared, although she warmed up and ran the bleacher steps on Thursday. Kelly again used crutches on Thursday.
Michigan State finished fourth in the Big Ten at 12–6, losing to Nebraska 73–61 in the league tournament’s first round. This is the Spartans’ first NCAA berth since 2021, and they got it under first-year head coach Robyn Fralick, who Banghart says is one of her closest friends in the business.
“They have dangerous threats all over the floor and also come from a tough conference, so this is a really tough first-round matchup that should be fun for both sides,” Banghart said. “They connect well. I’m not sure that all of them would be as great on other teams, but together they play really well. It’s a team that can put up a lot of points. They use pressure to try to get some in transition.”
Michigan State averages 83.7 points per game, which is No. 6 in the country, and gives up only 67.3 points per game. The Spartans’ average scoring margin of +16.4 was second only in the Big Ten to No. 2-ranked Iowa.
Banghart said that the Spartans remind her of the up-tempo defensive play of N.C. State and Florida State.
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“They try to disrupt you,” Banghart said. “I think their offense is so good — you give a lot of credit to their offense. It’s a two-way team.”
Four Spartans average double-figure points: 6–2 graduate guard Julia Ayrault (15.4), 5–10 graduate guard Moira Joiner (14.7), 5–7 junior guard DeeDee Hagemann (12.4) and 5–10 sophomore guard Theryn Hallock (11.1). Ayrault leads the team with 7.2 rebounds per game.
If the Tar Heels get past the No. 9-seed Spartans (22–8), they would likely play No. 1 ranked and No. 1 overall seed South Carolina (32–0) in the second round Sunday. The Gamecocks face Presbyterian (21–14) at 2 p.m. Friday.
UNC played well against the Gamecocks in Chapel Hill on Nov. 30 before losing 65–58. The Tar Heels lost to South Carolina in Sweet 16 games in Greensboro in 2022 (69–61) and 2015 (67–65).
“We’ve really been battle-tested,” Banghart said. “As much as these guys are saying you have to redefine, you have to also lean on your experiences. That’s what life is about. Your experiences are meant to be lived in the moment, and then they connect and collect to become who you are.”
Just like much of UNC’s regular season, it will be a challenging first weekend in the NCAA tournament for the Tar Heels.
UNC schedule
| Date | Day/ month | Time | Opponent/event (rank in final poll) |
|---|---|---|---|
| October | |||
| 18 | Sunday | 1 p.m. | vs. Davidson (exhibition) |
| November | |||
| 2 | Monday | TBA | Oui-Play in Paris vs. No 12 Oklahoma |
| 8 | Sunday | 5:30 | Ally Tipoff in Charlotte vs. No. 2 South Carolina |
| 11 | Wednesday | TBA | vs. N.C. Central |
| 14 | Saturday | TBA | at Penn in Palestra |
| WBCA Showcase | Orlando | ||
| 19 | Thursday | 6 p.m. | vs. Texas Tech |
| 21 | Saturday | 5 p.m. | vs. No. 24 Alabama |
| ——— | |||
| 24 | Tuesday | TBA | vs. Gardner-Webb |
| 27 | Friday | TBA | vs. Army |
| 29 | Sunday | TBA | vs. Brown |
| December | |||
| 2 | Wednesday | 7:15, ESPN2 | ACC/SEC Women’s Challenge vs. No. 8 LSU |
| 6 | Sunday | TBA | vs. Elon |
| 9 | Wednesday | 11 a.m. | vs. Winthrop |
| 13 | Sunday | TBA | vs. N.C. State |
| 17 | Thursday | TBA | vs. Georgia Tech |
| 21 | Monday | TBA | vs. Norfolk State |
| 28 | Monday | TBA | vs. UNCW |
| 31 | Thursday | TBA | at Syracuse |
| January | |||
| 3 | Sunday | TBA | at Clemson |
| 7 | Thursday | TBA | vs. Wake Forest |
| 10 | Sunday | TBA | at No. 11 Louisville |
| 17 | Sunday | TBA | vs. Boston College |
| 21 | Thursday | TBA | at California |
| 24 | Sunday | TBA | at Stanford |
| 28 | Thursday | TBA | vs. No. 9 Notre Dame |
| 31 | Sunday | TBA | vs. No. 5 Duke |
| February | |||
| 4 | Thursday | TBA | at Miami |
| 7 | Sunday | TBA | vs. Virginia Tech |
| 14 | Sunday | TBA | at SMU |
| 18 | Thursday | TBA | at Pittsburgh |
| 21 | Sunday | TBA | vs. Florida State |
| 25 | Thursday | TBA | vs. No. 19 Virginia |
| 28 | Sunday | TBA | at No. 5 Duke |
| March | |||
| 3–7 | Wed.-Sun. | ACC tournament | Spectrum Center, Charlotte |
Photo courtesy of UNC Athletics
