By R.L. Bynum
A game in Greensboro against UConn, a home game against Kentucky and the program’s first appearance in the Battle 4 Atlantis highlight a challenging UNC nonconference women’s basketball schedule released Tuesday.
Coach Courtney Banghart’s program is coming off a 20–13 season that included making the second round of the NCAA tournament. After six players transferred, she welcomes five newcomers, including two transfers.
The season starts with two home games — 11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 4, against Charleston Southern (11–19 last season) and Thursday, Nov. 7, against UNCW (5–25) in a homecoming for former Tar Heels center Ally Zelaya. UNC then plays two games in Greensboro — at North Carolina A&T (22–12) on Tuesday, Nov. 12 and against UConn (33–6) in the Greensboro Coliseum on Friday, Nov. 15.
N.C. A&T is one of four HBCU schools UNC will face, including three MEAC schools.
In an unfortunate scheduling conflict, the UNC men’s team has a home game against American on Nov. 15, the same day as the UConn game. The times of the two games haven’t been set. The Greensboro Coliseum has shows scheduled for Nov. 16 (R&B Forever Tour) and Nov. 17 (Ana Gabriel).
The Tar Heels trail the series with UConn 8–4. This is the second part of a two-game contract for neutral-site games. Last season, UNC and UConn played in Uncasville, Conn.
On Dec. 5, UNC welcomes former Carolina forward Teonni Key and Kentucky to Carmichael Arena in the ACC/SEC Challenge. The Wildcats will be in their first season under former Virginia Tech coach Kenny Brooks, who has retooled their roster after a 12–20 season. Carolina leads the all-time series 5–1, including 2–0 in Chapel Hill.
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At the Battle 4 Atlantis, set for Nov. 23 through 25 at Paradise Island in the Bahamas, UNC will be part of an eight-team field that includes five teams that made the NCAA tournament last season — Baylor (26–8 last season), Columbia (23–7), Indiana (26–6) and Texas A&M (19–13). Rounding out the field are Ball State (28–6), Southern Mississippi (20–14) and Villanova (22–13).
UNC hosts N.C. Central (16–15) on Nov. 29 between that tournament and the Kentucky matchup.
Carolina faces Coppin State (12–18) on Sunday, Dec. 8 and UNCG (21–11) in Chapel Hill on Wednesday, Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. The Spartans have lost all five meetings with Carolina, which all have been played in Chapel Hill.
On Dec. 18, Carolina will face Florida (16–16) in the Jumpman Invitational at Charlotte’s Spectrum Center. UNC leads the all-time series 3–1.
The Tar Heels’ final non-conference game is Dec. 21 against Norfolk State (27–6), which won the MEAC regular-season and tournament titles title last season. The Spartans lost 79–50 at Stanford in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
Duke is the only ACC team that UNC will play home and away. League teams that the Tar Heels will only face at home are Florida State, Georgia Tech, N.C. State, Wake Forest, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Notre Dame and Boston College. ACC teams UNC will only meet on the road are Cal, Stanford, SMU, Pitt, Miami, Clemson, Louisville and Syracuse.
Projected roster if all players with eligibility other than Elina Aarnisalo, Lanie Grant,, Taliyah Henderson and Liza Ashtakhova and Liza Ashtakhova return, with years listed for next season (UNC is one below the 15-player limit)
| Year | No./ Stars | Players | Pos. | Height | |
| Freshman | 5 star | Kate Harpring | PG | 5–10 | |
| Freshman | 4 star | Noelle Bofia | F | 6–4 | |
| Sophomore | 3 | Gabby White — W | G | 5–10 | |
| Sophomore | 7 | Nyla Brooks | W | 6–1 | |
| Sophomore | 26 | Taissa Queiroz | G | 6–1 | |
| Junior | 34 | Blanca Thomas | C | 6–5 | |
| Junior | 1 | Jordan Zubich | G | 5–11 | |
| RS junior | 21 | Ciera Toomey | F | 6–4 | |
| RS junior | 4 | Laila Hull | W | 6–1 | |
| Senior | Sophie Burrows — X | G | 6–2 | ||
| Senior | 11 | Achol Akot — Y | F | 6–1 | |
| Senior | 10 | Reniya Kelly | G | 5–7 | |
| Senior | 15 | Sydney Barker | G | 5–6 | |
| Graduate | 13 | Chloe Clardy — Z | G | 5–9 |
WW — Virginia transfer; — Virginia transfer; X — Syracuse transfer; Y — Oklahoma State transfer; X — Stanford transfer
Entered transfer portal
| Player | Class next season | Pos. | Hgt | Next school |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elina Aarnisalo | Junior | G | 5–10 | UCLA |
| Lanie Grant | Junior | G | 5–9 | TCU |
| Taliyah Henderson | Sophomore | W | 6–1 | |
| Liza Astakhova | Sophomore | G | 6–2 |
Photo courtesy of the ACC
