GREENSBORO — A long field-goal drought. A blown lead. Poor late-game execution. Starters playing a lot of minutes because of a lack of depth. Head-scratching officiating. The common issues in many games this season made North Carolina’s stay in the ACC women’s basketball tournament a short one.

Under normal conditions, the challenge of winning four games in as many days to capture the ACC women’s title is daunting. The fact that UNC guards used as many crutches during North Carolina’s 63–59 senior day victory over Duke as there were healthy guards — four — illustrates the challenges that the Tar Heels face this week in Greensboro.

Carolina senior co-captains Deja Kelly and Alyssa Ustby have earned All-ACC honors that the league announced Tuesday. Kelly is on the 10-player first team for a third consecutive season, while Ustby is on the second team for the second time in three seasons after making the first team last season.

CHAPEL HILL — Senior days don’t always have the same finality in the post-COVID era, when seniors can return for a fifth season. On Sunday, North Carolina honored four members of a senior class that has been a big part of the resurgence of the women’s program — guard Deja Kelly, wing Alyssa Ustby, and post players Anya Poole and Ali Zelaya — after the Tar Heels’ 63–59 win over Duke.