Coming off an 88-41 loss to South Carolina in the second round of the NCAA Tournament last season, the preseason No. 15 North Carolina women's basketball schedule is filled with ranked matchups and new pit stops that will help prepare the Tar Heels for postseason play.
The season tips off with a home game against Charleston Southern on Nov. 4. The Buccaneers haven't had a winning record since the 2016-17 season, but despite their struggles, the opener is essential for getting off on the right foot.
UNC's first major test comes against preseason No. 2 UConn on Nov. 15 in Greensboro, N.C. Coming off an Elite Eight tournament run, the Huskies are looking to build on an impressive season with guard Paige Bueckers returning to lead the pack. Bueckers — who averaged just under 22 points per game last season — is one of the nation's premier guards that is able to score from all three levels and pass around the nation's best defenders with her height.
This becomes especially dangerous when Bueckers is working out of the pick and roll. Thus, North Carolina will have to utilize graduate forward Alyssa Ustby, combined with sound guard play in order to stop Bueckers and earn a resume building win.
The next key matchup is against No. 22 Kentucky on Dec. 5. After hiring former Virginia Tech head coach Kenny Brooks, the Wildcats are looking to revitalize the program after two back-to-back losing seasons. Brooks brings point guard Georgia Amoore with him, who the Tar Heels are familiar with.
In bouts against Brooks' Virginia Tech teams over the past three seasons, North Carolina has just one win. In order to earn a second ranked win (should UNC beat UConn), the Tar Heels will have to limit Amoore's offensive production.
North Carolina starts its ACC campaign at Carmichael Arena against Georgia Tech on Dec. 15. Despite being unranked, the Yellow Jackets had a scoring margin of just under one point last season. With Georgia Tech able to keep games close, the ACC season opener will serve as an early conference test for head coach Courtney Banghart's squad.
January will be the most challenging part of the season for UNC. The Tar Heels play No. 6 Notre Dame and No. 11 Duke in consecutive games, both at home.
Notre Dame is led by guard Hannah Hidalgo, the reigning ACC Rookie of the Year and ACC Defensive Player of the Year, who is coming off a very impressive first season, averaging 22.6 points, 6.2 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game. In combination with forward Maddy Westbeld and guard Sonia Citron, the Fighting Irish are set to have a high-scoring season. With North Carolina's new look offense that emphasizes a fast pace and high scoring, Notre Dame will serve as a litmus test of its effectiveness.
