By R.L. Bynum
No. 11 North Carolina (8–1) at No. 2 Texas (8–0)
When: 7 p.m. ET Thursday
Where: Moody Center in Austin, Texas
What: ACC/SEC Women’s Challenge
TV: ESPN2
Radio: WCHL AM1360, FM 97.9 (Also streaming on the Varsity Network app); Matt Krause play-by-play
Line: Texas 16½
Over/under: 141½
Moneylines: UNC +1,000; Texas -2,100
UNC projected starters: Elina Aarnisalo, Reniya Kelly, Indya Nivar, Nyla Harris and Ciera Toomey
Series: UNC won the only meeting, 75–71 on Jan. 11, 1981
Texas results
Oct. 23: 102–44 exhibition win vs. Lubbock Christian
Oct. 27: 108–54 exhibition win vs. Texas Woman’s University
Nov. 3: 123–51 win vs. Incarnate Word
Nov. 7: 85–56 win vs. Richmond
Nov. 10: 100–38 win vs. Louisiana
Nov. 16: 111–45 win vs. Texas Southern
Nov. 19: 95–56 win vs. James Madison
Nov. 26: 76–65 win vs. No. 4 UCLA in Players Era Championship in Las Vegas
Nov. 27: 66–64 win vs. No. 3 South Carolina in Players Era Championship in Las Vegas
Sunday: 81–63 win vs. Penn
Banghart’s blueprint has UNC exceeding expectations ahead of big challenge at No. 2 Texas
Projected Texas starters
No. 35 | F | Madison Booker (top photo) | 6–1 | junior
— 16.8 points, 49.0 FG%, 30.8 3P%, 85.0 FT%, 7.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 3.6 steals, 0.5 of a block
— The Preseason SEC Player of the Year and an AP Preseason All-American, she earned a gold medal for the U.S. in the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup.
No. 7 | G | Lee Jordan | 6–0 | sophomore
— 14.6 points, 44.0 FG%, 35.0 3P%, 93.8 FT%, 2.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.1 blocks, 1.2 steals
— Earned a gold medal for U.S. in the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup.
No. 23 | G | Aaliyah Crump | 6–1 | freshman
— 13.2 points, 47.3 FG%, 30.0 3P%, 72.7 FT%, 2.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.6 steals
— Ranked fifth in the Class of 2025, she has scored in double figures in all four games
No. 3 | G | Rori Harmon | 5–6 | senior
— 9.9 points, 55.9 FG%, 75.0 3P%, 71.4 FT%, 3.0 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 2.8 steals
— In the South Carolina game, broke the 40-year old program assists record, now with 781.
— Only player in program history with at least 1,300 points and at least 700 assists
— Preseason All-SEC Second team
No. 25 | F | Breya Cunningham | 6–4 | junior | Arizona transfer
— 8.6 points, 68.9 FG%, 46.7 FT%, 4.1 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, 1.1 steals
Storylines
Texas riding high — can they stay perfect?
— Texas enters the game undefeated (8–0), carrying a ton of momentum after strong non-conference play.
— The Longhorns’ offense has been impressive, and last week’s wins over UCLA and South Carolina elevated them to No. 2 and a title contender.
UNC can prove it’s elite with a win or narrow loss
— UNC has shown balance on offense and defense.
— The Tar Heels’ scoring and tempo could match well against Texas — they average a high output per game and are aggressive offensively.
— A win on the road against the No. 2 team would be a major statement for their season trajectory.
Clash of high-powered offenses
— Texas often outscores opponents by a large margin, combining offense with efficient defense.
— UNC plays at a fast pace, with balanced scoring and the ability to push tempo.
—The matchup could come down to which team controls pace — Texas may want a half-court, structured game, while UNC might prefer an up-tempo style.
What to watch
— Texas’ offensive execution under pressure — Against one of the country’s best defensive teams, can Texas maintain their scoring efficiency?
— How UNC defends the perimeter and handles transition — If the Tar Heels can disrupt Texas’ rhythm and force turnovers, they could swing momentum.
— Rebounding and second-chance points — The winner will probably win the battle of the boards, and defensive rebounds for UNC could trigger transition chances.
— Tempo — Will it be fast and free as Carolina prefers? Or will it be measured and disciplined, which is more to the Longhorns’ liking?
— Free throw struggles — Both teams have struggled at the free throw line (UNC shooting 60.9% and Texas 70.1%). The team that breaks out of that will have a huge edge if it’s a close game.
Notes
— Texas expected to be without forward Aaliyah Moore and guard Laila Phelia for an extended period.
— The Longhorns, who made the Final Four last season, have five newcomers. Three are from the transfer portal: Ashton Judd (Missouri), Breya Cunningham (Arizona) and Teya Sidberry (Utah, Boston College). Their two freshmen are Aaliyah Crump and Grace Prenter.
— UNC is 22–30 against Top 25 teams under Banghart. The last win over a top-five team was over No. 4 Notre Dame 60–50 in Chapel Hill in 2023. The last road win in such matchups was over No. 3 Duke on Feb. 10, 2014.
— UNC has scored 82 3-pointers while Texas, usually more content with mid-range jumpers, has only 36.
— Texas is second in the country in two-point shooting percentage, fifth in overall field-goal percentage (53.2%), sixth in true shooting percentage, 11th in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.55), 21st in bench points (31.9 per game) and 17th in inside points.
— Carolina is 18th in bench points per game at 33.1.
UNC season statistics
Texas season statistics
Statistical comparison
| Statistic | UNC | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Points per Game | 81.1 | 92.1 |
| FG% | 48.3% | 53.2% |
| 3PT% | 36.1% | 39.1% |
| FT% | 60.9% | 70.1% |
| Rebounds/gam2 | 36.1 | 39.1 |
| Assists/game | 17.7 | 17.6 |
| Blocks/game | 3.3 | 5.1 |
| Steals/game | 12.1 | 13.4 |
| Scoring defense | 56.3 | 54.8 |
| Opponent FG% | 39.6% | 36.3% |
| Opponent 3PT% | 30.6% | 26.5% |
| Rebound Margin | +4.8 | +8.9 |
| Assist/TO ratio | 1.4 | 1.5 |
ACC standings
| Team | League | Overall | NET* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Syracuse | 1–0 | 9–1 | 40 |
| No. 22 Louisville | 1–0 | 9–3 | 15 |
| No. 19 Notre Dame | 1–0 | 7–2 | 18 |
| Virginia | 1–0 | 8–3 | 31 |
| Duke | 1–0 | 4–6 | 37 |
| No. 12 North Carolina | 0–0 | 9–2 | 14 |
| Wake Forest | 0–0 | 9–2 | 124 |
| Stanford | 0–0 | 8–2 | 33 |
| California | 0–0 | 8–3 | 62 |
| Miami | 0–0 | 6–3 | 38 |
| N.C. State | 0–0 | 6–4 | 39 |
| Pittsburgh | 0–0 | 6–5 | 243 |
| Georgia Tech | 0–0 | 4–7 | 116 |
| Virginia Tech | 0–1 | 8–3 | 57 |
| Clemson | 0–1 | 6–4 | 53 |
| SMU | 0–1 | 5–6 | 159 |
| Florida State | 0–1 | 4–7 | 106 |
| Boston College | 0–1 | 4–9 | 213 |
* — Through Thursday games
Thursday’s games
No. 19 Notre Dame 97, Morehead State 48
West Virginia 81, Georgia Tech 50
Sunday’s games
Charleston at Florida State, 2 p.m., ACCN Extra
Georgia Tech at Wake Forest, 2 p.m., ACCN Extra
Pittsburgh at Clemson, 2 p.m., ACCN Extra
N.C. State at Miami, 2 p.m., ACCN Extra
No. 22 Louisville at No. 12 North Carolina, 4 p.m., ACC Network
No. 19 Notre Dame at James Madison, 4 p.m., ESPN+
California at Stanford, 4 p.m., ACCN Extra
East Tennessee State at Virginia Tech, 4 p.m., ACCN Extra
Tuesday’s game
Binghamton at Syracuse, 7 p.m., ACCN Extra
Wednesday’s games
Clemson at Charleston Southern, 11 a.m., ESPN+
Eastern Kentucky at No. 22 Louisville, 6 p.m., ACC Network
UNCW at No. 12 North Carolina, 8 p.m., ACC Network
Thursday’s games
Virginia Tech at Florida State, 6 p.m., ACCN Extra
Miami at Wake Forest, 6 p.m., ACCN Extra
Saint Francis at Pittsburgh, 6 p.m., ACCN Extra
Georgia Tech at N.C. State, 7 p.m., ACCN Extra
South Dakota State at Duke, 7 p.m., ACC Network
| Date | Month/day | Time | Opponent/event (current ranks) | TV/ record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October | ||||
| 24 | Friday | L, 78–76 | vs. No. 10 BYU in SLC | Exhib. |
| 29 | Wednesday | W, 95–53 | vs. Winston-Salem St. | Exhib. |
| November | ||||
| 3 | Monday | W, 94–54 | vs. Central Arkansas | 1–0 |
| 7 | Friday | W, 87–74 | vs. No. 19 Kansas | 2–0 |
| 11 | Tuesday | W, 89–74 | vs. Radford | 3–0 |
| 14 | Friday | W, 97–53 | vs. N.C. Central | 4–0 |
| 18 | Tuesday | W, 73–61 | vs. Navy | 5–0 |
| Fort Myers Tip-Off | ||||
| 25 | Tuesday | W, 85–70 | vs. St. Bonaventure | 6–0 |
| 27 | Thursday | L, 74–58 | vs. No. 9 Michigan State | 6–1 |
| December | ACC/SEC Men’s Challenge | |||
| 2 | Tuesday | W, 67–64 | at Kentucky | 7–1 |
| ————————— | ||||
| 7 | Sunday | W, 81–61 | vs. Georgetown | 8–1 |
| 13 | Saturday | 2 p.m. | vs. USC Upstate | The CW |
| 16 | Tuesday | 8 p.m. | vs. East Tennessee State | ACCN |
| CBS Sports Classic in Atlanta | ||||
| 20 | Saturday | 3 p.m. | vs. Ohio State | CBS |
| ————————— | ||||
| 22 | Monday | 8 p.m. | vs. East Carolina | ACCN |
| 30 | Tuesday | 7 p.m. | vs. Florida State | ESPN2 |
| January | ||||
| 3 | Saturday | 2:15 | at SMU | The CW |
| 10 | Saturday | 6 p.m. | vs. Wake Forest | ACCN |
| 14 | Wednesday | 9 p.m. | at Stanford | ACCN |
| 17 | Saturday | 4 p.m. | at California | ACCN |
| 21 | Wednesday | 7 p.m. | vs. Notre Dame | ESPN2 |
| 24 | Saturday | 2 or 2:30 | at No. 24 Virginia | ESPN or ESPNU |
| 31 | Saturday | 2 p.m. | at Georgia Tech | ACCN |
| February | ||||
| 2 | Monday | 7 p.m. | vs. Syracuse | ESPN |
| 7 | Saturday | 6:30 | vs. No. 3 Duke | ESPN |
| 10 | Tuesday | 7 p.m. | at Miami | ESPN or ESPN2 |
| 14 | Saturday | 2 p.m. | vs. Pittsburgh | ESPN |
| 17 | Tuesday | 7 p.m. | at N.C. State | ESPN or ESPN2 |
| 21 | Saturday | 1 p.m. | at Syracuse | ABC |
| 23 | Monday | 7 p.m. | vs. No. 11 Louisville | ESPN |
| 28 | Saturday | 6:30 or 8:30 | vs. Virginia Tech | ESPN or ESPN2 |
| March | ||||
| 3 | Tuesday | 7 p.m. | vs. Clemson | ESPN or ESPN2 |
| 7 | Saturday | 6:30 | at No. 3 Duke | ESPN |
| 10–14 | Tues.-Sat. | ACC tournament | Spectrum Center, Charlotte |
Photos via gojacks.com
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