UNC women's basketball looks to increase offensive production

During the 47-point loss in the second round of the NCAA Tournament to the eventual national champion South Carolina, UNC shot just over 16 percent from three.

North Carolina scored just 41 points. South Carolina? 88. 

Throughout last season, the Tar Heels averaged just 67.8 points per game.

And because of that, the preseason No. 15 UNC women's basketball team is looking to bounce back this season with increased offensive production. Offseason changes made by head coach Courtney Banghart include installing a faster paced offense focused on high scoring and increasing spacing to create better shot selection. The Tar Heels added key pieces in the portal while developing returning players to make this change possible.  

The first notable difference is the absence of guard Deja Kelly, who transferred to Oregon in May. Kelly averaged 16.3 points, 3.2 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game last season, starting every game. She led North Carolina in scoring. 

UNC's returning starters, including graduate forward Alyssa Ustby, graduate guard Lexi Donarski and senior center Maria Gakdeng, will have to fill the offensive void left in Kelly's absence.  

Ustby was a do-it-all forward for the Tar Heels last season, averaging the second most points and the most assists on the team. She will look to lead North Carolina's offense in an increased role this season. Ustby made her outside shot a point of emphasis during offseason training, working closely with Banghart to improve that aspect of her game.  

After averaging career lows in both 3-point attempts and percentage last season, Ustby’s efforts to improve in that area is a microcosm of the team’s offensive mentality heading into the season.

“We have a lot more 3-point threats this year, and that's something that's super exciting because that spaces out the floor,” Ustby said. “And our team, we like to play in space.” 

Last season the Tar Heels ranked 230th in the country in 3-point attempts per game, averaging 17.3. However, they did not shoot the ball efficiently on those attempts, converting on just 30.2 percent of them from beyond the arc, 205th in the country.  

This offseason has been tailored around improving spacing and ball movement while becoming a more perimeter-oriented team. 

“I know I can get certain people a shot in a certain spot now,” Banghart said. “Totally different freedom of play.” 

Redshirt first-year forward Ciera Toomey, who was the fourth overall recruit in the 2023 class, will make an immediate offensive impact, helping the Tar Heels improve floor spacing and outside shot making.  

“One thing that I think will definitely help is probably my ability to shoot the three,” Toomey said. 

North Carolina also adds junior transfer guard Trayanna Crisp, who shot 33.3 percent from 3-point range on just over four attempts per game last season with Arizona State. She will join sharpshooter Donarski as the top 3-point shooters for UNC this season and serve as catalysts for the team's improved shooting.  

The playmaking and ball handling void that Kelly's departure left was filled when the Tar Heels landed Richmond graduate transfer Grace Townsend. Townsend averaged 5.2 assists per game last season for the Spiders, which was second most in the Atlantic 10 conference.  

“I'm able to bring the same things I brought to Richmond, I'm able to play-make for others,” Townsend said. “I'm surrounded by a number of shooters. I trust they're able to make shots but also keep making that playmaking ability. I know they are going to hit their shots.” 

With spacing being the focal point of the offense this season, combined with the new additions, expect the Tar Heels to utilize the 3-ball more consistently and efficiently this year as players become increasingly comfortable with the new offense. 

“We have so many options in such a good way,” Banghart said. “We have a lot of guys that can shoot it. We have a lot of guys that can handle and facilitate.” 

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