Carmichael Comments: Finally Almost Go Time

Carmichael Comments: Inside Carolina Women's Basketball
Vol. 2, Edition 1: Go Time

By Matt Krause (@MattKrausePxP)

It's been just over six months since Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham announced that Courtney Banghart would become just the fourth woman to lead the women's basketball program at the University of North Carolina.

Six months to hire a staff.

Six months to foster relationships with a roster that contains a mix of veterans and fresh faces.

Six months to acclimate to Chapel Hill and the UNC community.

Six months to talk and anticipate.

Now, it's game week.

"This is what I was hired to do," Banghart said Monday. "And it's finally almost go time."

She's right. The Banghart era gets underway on Thursday night with a visit from Western Carolina to Carmichael Arena for a 6 p.m. tipoff (5:30 p.m., Tar Heel Sports Network from Learfield IMG College).

It's been a productive six months for Banghart, who hired a staff of three experienced assistants — Carrie Moore, Tim Taylor, and Joanne Aluka-White — and four hard-working support staff members — Meghin Williams, Jessica Imhof, Daniel Metzelfeld, and Tori Niemann. Strength and conditioning coach Jason Beaulieu and staff athletic trainer Nicole Alexander return to their existing roles with the program for 2019-20.

"They've got to have your back and they've got to guard your front," Banghart said. "I told Bubba Cunningham on my interview, you're not just hiring me; you're hiring me and a staff. I promised him I'd get a good one, and I've got the best in the country."

Banghart and her staff have been entrenched since the summer with the process of building the current Tar Heel roster into a cohesive unit with an eye on another winning season and potential NCAA tournament return.

The 15-player roster the Tar Heels will open the season with boasts seven seniors in their final season in Carolina Blue. Banghart and the senior class understand the implications of one last ride — a concept the head coach refers to as "athletic mortality."

"This is their last run," Banghart said. "There's been lots of change, on the court in how we want to play and off the court in how we respond and engage. I appreciate that they've looked us in the eye and tried to meet our needs, and as a result, they to continue to get our best."

Three of those seniors — Shayla Bennett, Taylor Koenen, and Madinah Muhammad — earned starting roles in an 82-37 exhibition win over Division II Wingate on Saturday afternoon in Carmichael. But that was just an exhibition and doesn't count for the final standings or NCAA Tournament resume. Thursday, it's the real thing.

It's go time.

Here's some storylines to watch as we head into the season-opening stretch of four consecutive home games:

TAKING CARE OF THE BASKETBALL

The Tar Heels committed the second-fewest turnovers per game in the ACC last season, at 13.3. The trend of valuing the basketball while forcing the opposition into mistakes continued in a big way in Saturday's exhibition, as Carolina committed just 10 turnovers to Wingate's 31. The Tar Heels held a 35-2 edge in points off turnovers against the Bulldogs.

Banghart pointed to keys on both ends of the floor that led to the disparity in turnovers. "Defensively playing with our hands better and clogging up lanes," she said. "And playing with more freedom offensively. Those are good stats, we'll hope those continue."

BENNETT'S ROLE

Shayla Bennett spent a majority of last season, her first in a Carolina uniform, bouncing between the point guard spot and an off-ball role, often alternating with the now-graduated Paris Kea. Though the Tar Heels will enjoy the eligibility of the aforementioned Muhammad, an Ole Miss transfer and experienced point guard, Bennett projects to be Carolina's primary ball-handler in 2019-20.

"She's comfortable handling it," Banghart said. "She has to be on this team with what we have at other spots. She's going to have to make good decisions with the ball and get other people involved and play fast."

CAPTAIN KOENEN

Taylor Koenen, who Banghart refers to as the "most versatile player on the team," is also holding an important role in 2019-20: captain. The senior from Savage, Minn. enters her final season in Chapel Hill as Carolina's only current projected starter that is in their fourth year in the program.

"Leadership is about consistency," Banghart said. "And she's been consistent throughout. She comes to practice with purpose, she leads by action, and she cares about the team. She was everybody's choice."

Now, Koenen will lead the Tar Heels for her final season opener.

Coverage of Thursday's game with Western Carolina begins at 5:30 p.m. with the Reeds Jewelers pregame show on the Tar Heel Sports Network. You can catch our coverage on our flagship station, WCHL 97.9 FM/1360 AM in Chapel Hill, or worldwide through the TuneIn app (Search "North Carolina Tar Heels"), GoHeels.com, or the GoHeels app. Can't wait to have you tuned in all season long!

In the meantime, get ready for the game with our first edition of Courtney Banghart Live. Subscribe to the new Tar Heel Voices podcast from Learfield IMG College wherever you get your podcasts to automatically receive the show, or listen here!