Carmichael Comments: Grittiness

Carmichael Comments: Inside Carolina Women's Basketball

Vol. 2, Edition 4: Grittiness

By: Matt Krause

@MattKrausePxP

Ask Carolina women's basketball head coach Courtney Banghart the number one area of improvement required for her team in the first month of the season, and she'll likely point to defensive intensity and toughness — "grittiness," one could say.

Even with a 3-0 start to the season and a trio of wins by 31 points or more, Banghart and her staff wanted to see the Tar Heels pick up the energy when Carolina opponents had the ball. In an era where data and advanced metrics have become the norm across all sports, that energy and effort can be measured in ways not displayed on a common box score.

"We're charting everything from direct line attacks, deflections, things that dictate that they're controlling the possession, not us," Banghart explained. "And we're making progress for sure."

Perhaps the most tangible sign of that progress was a defensive masterpiece turned in Friday night at Carmichael Arena in a 76-46 win over Elon. Carolina held the visiting Phoenix to 25.5% shooting (13-for-51), and forced 18 turnovers en route to victory. For the Tar Heel leader, the defensive effort was especially appreciated because of the offensive opportunities it presented.

"I thought we really defended the ball well," Banghart reflected after the win. "We've been stressing defense and they're responding, which gives us the chance to settle in offensively."

And settle in Carolina did. The Tar Heels led 13-8 after a sluggish first quarter, but pushed the lead out to 59-35 after 30 minutes with a pair of 23-point stanzas in the second and third. Elon did not hit more than four field goals in any individual quarter, and may have only hit the 40-point threshold thanks to 15 made free throws.

You may wonder — 15 free throws (on 22 attempts) seems like an awful lot in a 30-point loss, doesn't it?

You're right. But then consider that the Tar Heels were 22-for-31 at the charity stripe themselves, and you'll understand the adversity both teams were facing with foul difficulties. Despite the troubles caused by whistles galore, there was a silver lining, as Coach Banghart gave her team the opportunity to play zone defense for an extended period.

"I thought they played with activity and our wings are playing well," she said. "It's good to play alternate defense as we got in foul trouble and I'm proud of our guys for settling into the game."

Replicating a defensive effort like that is easier said than done, especially with the tougher competition to come, but it's a good jumping off point for a team still trying to come together.

Here's what else caught my eye this week:

Staying Balanced

In the Elon win, four more Tar Heels scored in double figures, paced by ACC Freshman of the Week Malu Tshitenge's 18 points. Guards Madinah Muhammad and Taylor Koenen had 14 each, while Janelle Bailey chipped in 12. Banghart believes that a balanced attack like what Carolina has utilized throughout the early season is a reflection of the mentality of her players.

"What you want to have is balance," Banghart said. "A sign of really good team is they're not worried about their own, they're worried about the win, and we're 4-0."

Smith Returns

The Elon game provided an opportunity for ninth-year Phoenix head coach Charlotte Smith to coach in the building in which she played and then worked as an assistant coach for the Tar Heels. Smith, whose No. 23 is one of two numbers permanently retired by the program, had previously visited Carmichael in 2016, a 78-73 win for Carolina. The significance of a legend returning to Chapel Hill was not lost on Banghart.

"It was really great to have Charlotte back in the gym," Banghart said. "Every day we come out here and see number 23. She's done so much for this program, so really cool to have her back."

Up Next

Carolina will venture away from Carmichael Arena for the first time on the season. Very far away, in fact. The Tar Heels will head to Cancun, Mexico to take part in the Cancun Challenge at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya, an event Carolina last played in during the 2013-14 season. It's a two-game journey for the Tar Heels, who will take on the Temple Owls and Missouri Tigers in Mexico. The Temple game tips at 9:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving night, November 28, meaning that our Tar Heel Sports Network broadcast coverage begins at 8:30 p.m. with the Reeds Jewelers Pregame Show. It's less than a 24-hour turnaround before Carolina takes on Mizzou on Friday at 6:30 p.m. in the second game of the trip. Broadcast coverage rolls at 6:00 p.m. with the Reeds Jewelers Pregame Show. As always, catch our THSN call on the TuneIn app and website (search "North Carolina Tar Heels" or use this link). You can also find the broadcast on GoHeels.com or the GoHeels app.

When Carolina returns from Mexico, we'll recap the trip on the Monday, Dec. 2 edition of Courtney Banghart Live! Join us for lunch at noon at the Carolina Club on campus. If you can't make it to the show, you can listen on demand on the Tar Heel Voices Podcast channel.

That's all for now! Happy Thanksgiving and Go Heels!

-Matt