Preview: No. 24 UNC women's basketball faces another in-state rival, Wake Forest

After outings against Duke University and No. 3 N.C. State University, the No. 24 North Carolina women’s basketball team is looking to build on its competitive showings as they face the Demon Deacons at Wake Forest on Thursday. 

The last time the two teams met, Wake Forest knocked the Tar Heels out of the ACC Tournament in 2021 with an 82-71 victory. Despite this outcome, last season’s UNC team looked very different than the current one, and on paper, North Carolina is poised for a better showing.

The Demon Deacons are 12-9 and 2-8 in ACC play compared to North Carolina’s 16-4 record and 6-4 record in conference play. While the Tar Heels are ranked higher in ACC standings, they could clean up in several areas that will not only propel their game but better position them as contenders for the ACC championship game later in the season. 

Learning from its performance against N.C. State

While a clash of the blues at Cameron Indoor Stadium resulted in the Tar Heels beating the Blue Devils in a relatively one-sided game, Sunday's game against No. 3 N.C. State told a different story. 

The team was handed its first home loss against the Wolfpack on Sunday, 66-58. While the Tar Heels led during the first half, the Wolfpack worked themselves up during the third quarter and outscored the team 23-11 to overcome the Tar Heels and eventually hang on for the victory. 

Carmichael Arena’s environment was loud, with a sea of red and blue watching their respective teams fight throughout all four quarters in what was UNC's most lively audience this season, with an attendance of 4,136.

Despite making 11 of their 14 free throw attempts, the Tar Heels shot 32.3 percent from the field and was 5-23 from 3-point range against the Wolfpack. The team’s shooting struggles during the third and fourth quarter allowed N.C. state more room to make up points. 

To secure a win against Wake Forest, the team must display a more consistent shooting effort throughout the entirety of the game.

Production of Kennedy Todd-Williams

Sophomore guard Kennedy Todd-Williams will be crucial in cleaning up the team’s shooting. Her versatility as a player has allowed her to be efficient on both sides of the ball whether that was through fast breaks or clean, focused ball-handling. 

She matched her career-high of 15 points for the second game in a row, a clear indication of the impact she has on the ball. Todd-Williams' ability to show up and produce each game will be needed when she comes face-to-face with Wake Forest guard Jewel Spear in Thursday’s game.

Spear is the team’s leading scorer with 19.3 points per game and serves as the only double-digit scorer on the Demon Deacons' roster. The sophomore's scoring abilities, however, are unlikely to be enough to topple North Carolina’s defense which has given opponents problems throughout the season. 

Todd-Williams will need help from her teammates in order to solidify a win against their in-state rival. This support includes guard Deja Kelly, who has struggled with her scoring in the last couple of games. She scored just seven points against Duke and zero during Sunday’s game. 

Sophomore guard Alyssa Ustby has also played well the last two games. She played 37 minutes of passionate ball against N.C. State and led the team in scoring against Duke, where she put up 20 points. Her 13.2 scoring average is telling of her potential, but she will need to put in a more consistent effort and help lead the team to future success in ACC play.

Graduate transfer guard Carlie Littlefield has also been an important contributor this season, scoring 12 points against the Wolfpack. 

The basketball team already has a fiery, competitive spirit, and with the addition of smooth shooting and assistance from each player, North Carolina will prove themselves deserving of being ranked well and best their state rival.

@NiaSattBrown

@dthsports | sports@dailytarheel.com