After nearly two weeks of waiting, the UNC women’s basketball team will finally take the court on Friday evening. In their NCAA Tournament opener, the 4-seed Tar Heels will host 13-seed Western Illinois at 5:30 p.m. – in Carmichael Arena.
North Carolina (26-7, 14-4 ACC) began its ACC Tournament run by beating Virginia Tech for a second time this season, but lost for a second time to Louisville, in the ACC Semis on March 7.
Western Illinois (26-5, 16-4 Ohio Valley Conference) won two close games to capture the OVC Tournament crown. The Leathernecks advanced to the Championship game with a 74-66 victory over Southeast Missouri State, then beat Lindenwood in a 71-65 rematch from one week earlier.
Despite losing program great Alyssa Ustby to graduation, UNC returned plenty of young talent capable of stepping into larger roles.
The Tar Heels have four players averaging double-figures: frontcourt star Nyla Harris (11.3 points per game), Lanie Grant (10.6), Indya Nivar (10.3) and UCLA transfer Elina Aarnisalo. Ciera Toomey is thriving in her full-time role as North Carolina’s center, averaging 9.2 points and 6.4 rebounds per game, while depth is emphasized by 10 players averaging double-digit minutes.
After Courtney Banghart’s squad reached the Sweet 16 a year ago, before losing to archrival Duke, there’s hope an Elite Eight appearance – and possibly more – are in store this March.
Make no mistake: WIU has a dangerous offense, capable of causing problems for any defense. Mia Nicastro averages 24.2 points per game, fourth amongst Division I scorers. Raegan McGowan follows close behind with 17 points per game, while Addi Brownfield (12.6) and Mallory Shetley also average double-figures in the scoring department.
UNC should win this one big, but it has to be careful, even playing in front of what you can expect to be a packed Carmichael. Keep reading below for our game preview, which includes UNC’s key to victory, their full schedule, something to watch, statistical leaders for each team and streaming information.
Key to Victory
Make 3-pointers at a high clip.
UNC leads the ACC with a 36.1 percent mark from 3-point range. Grant (43.1%) and Aarinsalo (41.9%) both average over 40% from deep, while six other Tar Heels shoot a minimum 30%.
North Carolina shot under 30% as a team in its ACC Tournament Semifinal loss to Louisville. That can’t happen if UNC wants to win its NCAA Tournament opener on Friday.
Something to Watch
Who can slow down Mia Nicastro?
One of the nation’s top scorers, Nicastro has double-doubles in each of her last three games, including a 21-point, 12-rebound performance in WIU’s OVC Championship Game win over Lindenwood.
Harris and Toomey will likely be tasked with guarding Nicastro, but it’ll take a team effort from the Tar Heels, who are a sound defensive squad.
Statistical leaders
Points
UNC: Nyla Harris (11.2)
Western Illinois: Mia Nicastro (24.2)
Rebounds
UNC: Nyla Harris (6.7)
Western Illinois: Mia Nicastro (9.9)
Assists
UNC: Indya Nivar (3.8)
Western Illinois: Kaylen Reed (3.4)
What you need to know
WHAT? North Carolina Tar Heels (26-7, 14-4 ACC) vs. Western Illinois Leathernecks (26-5, 16-4 OVC)
WHEN? Friday, March 20 at 5:30 p.m.
WHERE? Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C.
TV?ESPNNEWS
RADIO? SiriusXM (Channel 207)
LINE? UNC -25.5
LAST MEETING? First Meeting.
ALL-TIME SERIES: First Meeting.
PREDICTION? UNC 78, Western Illinois 59
Full UNC basketball schedule
November 3: vs. North Carolina Central (W, 90-42)
Nov. 6: vs. Elon (W, 71-37)
Nov. 13: vs. UCLA in Las Vegas, Nev. (L, 78-60)
Nov. 15: vs. Fairfield in Las Vegas, Nev. (W, 82-68)
Nov. 20: @ North Carolina A&T (W, 85-50)
Nov. 23: vs. UNC-Greensboro (W, 94-48)
Nov. 27: vs. South Dakota State in Cancun, Mexico (W, 83-48)
Nov. 28: vs. Kansas State in Cancun, Mexico (W, 85-73)
Nov. 29: vs. Columbia (N.Y.) University in Cancun, Mexico (W, 80-63)
December 4: @ Texas (L, 79-64)
Dec. 7: vs. Boston University (W, 82-40)
Dec. 14: vs. Louisville (L, 76-66)
Dec. 17: vs. UNC-Wilmington (W, 84-34)
Dec. 21: vs. Charleston Southern (W, 93-74)
Dec. 29: @ Boston College (W, 90-39)
January 1: vs. Cal (W, 71-55)
Jan. 4: vs. Stanford (L, 77-71)
Jan: 11: at Notre Dame (L, 73-50)
Jan. 15: vs. Miami (FL) (W, 73-62)
Jan. 18: @ Florida State (W, 82-55)
Jan. 22: @ Georgia Tech (W, 54-46)
Jan. 25: vs. Syracuse (W, 77-71)
February 2: @ NC State (W, 61-59)
Feb. 5: vs. Clemson (W, 53-44)
Feb. 8: @ Wake Forest (W, 84-56)
Feb. 12: vs. SMU (W, 94-42)
Feb. 15: at Duke (L, 72-68)
Feb. 19: @ Virginia Tech (W, 66-63)
Feb. 22: vs. Pitt (W, 78-50)
Feb. 26: @ Virginia (W, 82-70)
March 1: vs. Duke (W, 74-69)
March 6: vs. Virginia Tech in ACC Tournament Quarterfinals (W, 85-68)
March 7: vs. Louisville in ACC Tournament Semifinals (L, 65-57)
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC women’s basketball: Previewing NCAA opener vs. Western Illinois