UNC women jump to highest AP ranking in 7 years

As North Carolina continues its breakthrough season in Coach Courtney Banghart’s third year, the comparisons to a Tar Heels team that made the Sweet 16 team seven years ago keep piling up. Another one got added Monday. The Tar Heels (21–5, 11–5 ACC) jumped six spots to No. 18 Monday in the AP Top 25 poll after winning at home against Louisville (23–3, 14–2) 66–65 (which fell one spot to No. 4) and at Florida State 64–49. It’s the highest UNC rank since that 2014–15 team finished the season 26–9 and ranked No. 15.

UNC follows up big upset with gritty win to end six-game skid vs. FSU

No matter how ugly it might have been, UNC’s women were happy to battle through it all to finally get a victory over Florida State. It helped that sophomore guard Deja Kelly was pouring in the points, distributing the ball and playing solid defense. The No. 24 Tar Heels didn’t play nearly as well as in their upset Thursday of No. 3 Louisville. But they pulled away with a 16–3 fourth-quarter run for a 64–49 win to snap a six-game losing streak against the Seminoles with their first win in Tallahassee, Fla., since 2014.

Future is bright for talented UNC women’s program

The ascent of Carolina’s women’s basketball program under Coach Courtney Banghart has been on a clear path to becoming a national-title contender next season. With their talent, poise and determined mindset, though, the Tar Heels showed Thursday night that they might just be ready to do some damage this season. No. 3 Louisville (22–3, 12–2 ACC) is no doubt convinced after losing 66–65 at Carmichael Arena to the No. 23 Tar Heels (20–5, 10–5).

UNC’s signature win over No. 3 Louisville first over Cards in nearly 14 years

CHAPEL HILL — Most Carolina players were in elementary school the last time the Tar Heels beat Louisville nearly 14 years ago. None of them remember that NCAA tournament victory, but they’ll never forget the No. 23 Tar Heels’ 66–65 upset of No. 3 Louisville at Carmichael Arena on Thursday night. It was a signature win and their biggest since knocking off No. 1 Notre Dame in 2019.

UNC falls in AP Top 25 women’s poll after loss to Hokies

North Carolina, one of 10 ranked teams to lose last week, fell one spot to No. 24 in the AP Top 25 women’s poll released Monday after beating Pittsburgh 64–54 and losing Sunday at Virginia Tech 66–61. The Hokies, who have played like a ranked team for a few weeks, finally debuted in the poll at No. 23 after also defeating Georgia Tech 73–63 to give the ACC six ranked teams.

Hot-shooting Hokies avenge blowout loss, hold off UNC in physical game

When North Carolina blew out Virginia Tech in Chapel Hill last month, the Tar Heels limited one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the ACC. On Sunday, whenever the No. 23 Tar Heels tried to make a run, big Virginia Tech 3-pointers kept them at arm’s length in a physical battle.

Hodgson’s energy off bench, big 3 help UNC hold off Pittsburgh

CHAPEL HILL — North Carolina guard Eva Hodgson is the perfect example of a player who brings energy and versatility off the bench, and she’s done it all season. When she entered the No. 23 Tar Heels’ 64–54 Thursday victory over Pittsburgh late in the first quarter, she scored a pair of 3-pointers in 64 seconds. By the time she returned to the bench 11 minutes later, she already had nine of her 14 points, three of her five rebounds and a steal. When a 10–0 Panthers run cut UNC’s lead to seven in the fourth quarter, she shot down their chances.

UNC moves up in AP Top 25 women’s poll

After two impressive blowout ACC victories last week, North Carolina moved up one spot to No. 23 in the latest AP Top 25 women’s basketball poll. The Tar Heels (18–4, 8–4 ACC), who won 78–59 at Wake Forest on Thursday and 85–38 Sunday at Carmichael Arena against Miami, more than doubled their poll points from 66 to 136.

No. 24 UNC thumps good Miami team by 47 behind Kelly, Todd-Williams

CHAPEL HILL — With an attention-getting blowout of a good Miami team, No. 24 North Carolina showed that it belongs in the upper-tier of the rugged ACC and that Deja Kelly is still one of the most dangerous scorers in the league. No. 4 Louisville and Miami are the only conference teams to defeat No. 12 Georgia Tech. But the Hurricanes never had a chance against a UNC team that played well in all phases of an 85–38 victory Sunday at Carmichael Arena.

UNC women get out on transition, roll by Deacs for Banghart’s 300th win

WINSTON-SALEM — After battling four talented ranked ACC teams in the last five games, No. 24 North Carolina took full advantage of a night against a struggling league team. The Tar Heels’ 78–59 win over Wake Forest looked and felt like many of their dominant games of their 13-game unbeaten streak, particularly in the first half, and they led by 29 midway through the final quarter.