What to know from ACC Women's Basketball Media Day

Reporters flocked to Greensboro for the annual ACC Women's Basketball Media Day on Wednesday to speak with players and coaches ahead of the 2015-16 season. 

Representing the North Carolina women's basketball team were Coach Sylvia Hatchell, sophomore guard Jamie Cherry and senior forward Xylina McDaniel. 

Here are some things to note from Wednesday's events.

1. Don't hit the panic button

After making it to the Sweet 16 in 2014-15, the Tar Heels experienced a summer filled with change and controversy. 

Three players — Allisha Gray, Stephanie Mavunga and Jessica Washington — transferred to South Carolina, Ohio State and Kansas, respectively. And with the losses of Brittany Rountree and Latifah Coleman to graduation, UNC has lost five of its top six scorers from a year ago and has only eight scholarship players remaining for the upcoming season — seven less than the NCAA scholarship limit. 

But to Hatchell, it's not time to give up hope quite yet.

"Of the three national championships I won, one of those I had eight scholarship players, so I've done this before," she said. "But it only takes five ... We can put five great players out there."

2. Cherry on top

Of North Carolina's returning players, Cherry will take on the brunt of the production in the UNC backcourt as the team's new starting point guard. And if her first season is any indication, she might be up the the task. 

While backing up Coleman as a first-year for the majority of 2014-15, Cherry averaged 6.4 points per game while tying for third on the team with 77 assists. 

During the postseason, the now sophomore hit a pair of buzzer-beaters — one against Louisville in the ACC Tournament and the other against Ohio State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The latter lifted the Tar Heels to a 86-84 win over the Buckeyes and into the Sweet 16. 

3. Welcome back

After missing the final 23 games of the 2014-15 season due to a leg injury, McDaniel is back and will be called upon as North Carolina's go-to scoring threat in the post. 

McDaniel is no stranger to success. During her first season with the Tar Heels, she was named the ACC Rookie of the Year while averaging 11.3 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. Before suffering her injury in December, the then-junior averaged 11.3 points and 6.6 rebounds per contest. 

But while McDaniel has proven she can perform at the collegiate level, she was left off of the Preseason All-ACC team. McDaniel said she intends to channel the omission into inspiration. 

"I do see it as a slap in the face, but at the same time I'm using that as motivation," she said. "(I'm going to) continue to work harder and show everyone that, you know, I'm back."

@jbo_vernon

sports@dailytarheel.com