By R.L. Bynum
After many elements of North Carolina’s women’s basketball nonconference schedule trickled out in the last few weeks, it all became official on Tuesday, and it includes matchups against a Tar Heel legend, two Las Vegas games and a chance for another title in a tropical venue.
It’s a tough schedule that includes games against two Final Four teams that finished high in the final AP 2025 Top 25 poll last season: No. 3 UCLA and No. 4 Texas. Both lost in the national semifinals — the Bruins (who finished 34–3) to eventual national champion UConn 85–51 and the Longhorns (35–4) to South Carolina 74–57.
After UNC’s exhibition game in Atlanta’s State Farm Arena at 6 p.m. on Oct. 30 against another Final Four team in South Carolina, the Tar Heels open the season at home against N.C. Central on Monday, Nov. 3, in their annual Field Trip Game, likely to start at 11 a.m. The men’s team opens the season that night against Central Arkansas.
Three days later, Carolina legend Charlotte Smith will bring her Elon team to Carmichael Arena for a game on Thursday, Nov. 6.
Coach Courtney Banghart’s team heads west the next week for the inaugural WBCA Challenge at the Michelob ULTRA Arena (the home of the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces), meeting UCLA on Nov. 13 and Fairfield on Nov. 15.
Back in the Tar Heel state, UNC makes a quick stop in Greensboro on Nov. 20 to play at N.C. A&T for the second consecutive season before returning to Carmichael to face UNC Greensboro on Nov. 23.
Next, it will be Thanksgiving week in paradise as the Tar Heels play in the Cancun Challenge at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya. UNC will play three games in three days, Nov. 27–29, meeting Columbia, Kansas State and South Dakota State.
The Tar Heels will seek their second consecutive title on Thanksgiving week after winning the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas last season.
Carolina heads to Texas for the first time in program history, part of the ACC/SEC Challenge, facing the Longhorns on Dec. 4 before finishing nonconference play with three consecutive home games: Dec. 7 against Boston University, Dec. 17 against UNCW and Dec. 21 against Charleston Southern.
Tipoff times and TV assignments are still to be released.
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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 | 52/4 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 |
W — Virginia transfer; X — Syracuse transfer; Y — Oklahoma State transfer; Z — Stanford transfer
Former players who 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 | Clemson |
| Liza Astakhova | Sophomore | G | 6–2 | BYU |
Photo courtesy of UNC Athletics Communications
