Preview: Two keys for No. 14 UNC women's basketball to upset No. 2 UConn

The No. 14 UNC women’s basketball team will travel to Greensboro to face a perennial powerhouse in No. 2 UConn on Friday evening.

Following 12 years without meeting, the two programs broke the trend in 2023 with the Huskies beating the Tar Heels, 76-64, in Connecticut. North Carolina is looking to end its six-game losing streak against UConn and earn its first win over the Huskies since 2006. 

But it will be no easy feat for the Tar Heels as UConn will enter the matchup with one of the most star-studded rosters in the country. 

Here are two keys for UNC to pull off a possible upset:

Contain Bueckers and Strong

UConn redshirt senior guard Paige Bueckers is regarded as the consensus No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA draft. 

In the 2023 matchup between the two squads, the 2021 Naismith Women’s College Basketball Player of the Year led all scorers with 26 points and recorded a game-high four blocks. Last season, Bueckers averaged 21.9 points per game on 53 percent shooting from the field.

Graduate guard Lexi Donarski will likely take on the heaviest burden by defending Bueckers. In her fifth year of collegiate basketball, Donarski is well-accustomed to the quick pace at which players like Bueckers and programs like UConn play. 

UNC does not plan on leaving Donarski to face the two-time First Team All-American one-on-one for the entire game, though. North Carolina will spread the responsibility of defensive coverages. 

But with Bueckers play-making abilities, the Tar Heels cannot solely fixate on shutting down the UConn star's shooting abilities. 

“I think what makes [Bueckers] special is her ability to counter the reads that you give her,” head coach Courtney Banghart said. “She’s not really a kid you can scheme a ton against because if you do this, she’ll do that.”

North Carolina will also have to focus on first-year forward Sarah Strong, who narrowed her options down to UConn and UNC before ultimately choosing to go up north.

“It’s the only game on the schedule that I won’t be rooting really hard for her, to be honest,” Banghart said. “She’s a lovable kid who’s got a generational type-talent.”

The No. 1-ranked recruit coming out of high school is a prolific 3-point threat who has the ability to absorb contact in the post. Several Tar Heels will likely have the challenge of guarding Strong as she can bully smaller defenders in the paint and stretch bigs on the perimeter. During UConn's first two games, Strong averaged 15 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists. 

With these two threats leading the Huskies' offense, the Tar Heels will have a lot to handle.

Value every possession

North Carolina’s meeting against UConn was originally scheduled for December, but ACC expansion shifted the calendar. Banghart and UConn head coach Geno Auriemma agreed to move their meeting earlier, meaning that both teams are less experienced. 

With fewer games under its belt than initially planned, UNC must rely on its veteran core of Donarski and graduate forward Alyssa Ustby. With two redshirt first-years, three true first-years and two transfers, many players are still becoming familiar with wearing Carolina Blue.

Additionally, the Tar Heels could be without starting senior center Maria Gakdeng and junior guard Indya Nivar — both did not play in UNC's game against N.C. A&T. Nivar has yet to see action this season.

Still, the game plan remains the same: get quality offensive possessions.

Banghart emphasized finding uncontested shots from every location on the court. With the inside presence commanding attention, North Carolina must seek the kick-out option and try to get to the free-throw line.

“If it’s an open shot, make or miss, it’s considered a good shot,” Banghart said.

UNC is not looking to reinvent its strategy to match UConn. Instead, it’s more the opposite. Locate the open shot, and don’t become overwhelmed with an overabundant amount of plays. The Tar Heels want to keep it simple.

@meganosmithh

@dthsports | sports@dailytarheel.com