Carmichael Comments: Holiday Break

Carmichael Comments: Inside Carolina Women's Basketball
Vol. 2, Edition 8: Christmas Time
By: Matt Krause
@MattKrausePxP

At the end of the day, Friday's win for the Tar Heels counts just as much as any other during the course of the season. In an 85-45 triumph, the outcome was hardly in doubt, but had the game gone the other way, it would have counted just as much as any other loss. But with the holiday break looming, a bounce-back victory tastes a bit sweeter. You know, like a candy cane.

Friday's game, which improved Carolina to 9-1 on the season, was the Tar Heels' first following a loss under Courtney Banghart. Just five days after the 83-77 setback to the Alabama Crimson Tide, the Tar Heels came out strong against UNCW, building a 42-20 halftime lead and blowing the game wide open with a 20-0 run to start the third quarter. The performance provided another valuable piece of information for Banghart and her staff: the Tar Heels' resilience.

"I learned a lot about that team," Banghart said. "How they don't like to lose based on their performance today."

The idea of "bouncing back" is not just limited to losing one game and winning the next — it's about correcting specific mistakes. Alabama was able to beat the Tar Heels by shooting 50% from the floor and 59% on two-point field goals, a majority of which came as a result of transition opportunities. Against UNCW, though, the Carolina defense limited the Seahawks to 30% from the floor. That drastic improvement brought a smile to the face of the first-year leader.

"We really wanted to build on our performance against Alabama, and we thought transition defense and 1-v-1 attack were our areas of focus," Banghart said. "Clearly we were really solid in those areas. I'm really proud of their bounce-back."

The credit for the improvement doesn't just lie within the 40 minutes of gameplay at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center. It's a testament to the work the Tar Heels put in during practice and film study — "the film doesn't lie," as Banghart points out often.

"In transition, we slowed the ball, we gapped properly, we fanned out and we were accountable to our spots in a quick pace," Banghart said. "In the quarter-court, we understood the scout. We were over ball screens when we needed to be, we were under when we needed to be."

Holding the 22-point edge at halftime, Carolina knew that UNCW's best push would come on the heels of the Seahawks' halftime adjustments. Rather than allow a comeback, the Tar Heels turned a handful of UNCW misses into an offensive barrage that reached 20-0. The strong defense leading to offense is far from a coincidence.

"When we play over 94 feet, when we push off a stop, we're hard to guard because we've got five weapons," Banghart said. "Defense can lead to offense in that way."

Another huge bright spot on Friday was a 47-29 rebound margin in favor of Carolina, a number that includes 16 offensive boards. Plus, the Tar Heels assisted on 15 of their 32 field goals. Numbers like those fit the objectives of the coaching staff.

"We ask them to defend with toughness, we ask them to rebound like warriors, and share the ball," Banghart said. "The stats don't lie in that area."

So rather than a second straight game of coal in the stocking, Carolina is back on Santa's nice list. A great start to the break, indeed.

Up Next

The Tar Heels will now disperse for the holiday to rest, recharge, and spend time with family. That rest will be much-needed, because the busiest stretch of the schedule begins just after reindeers' flight. The Tar Heels will practice on Dec. 26 and 27 to prepare for a Saturday, Dec. 28 showdown with Yale to close out non-conference play. The Tar Heels are 1-0 all-time against the Bulldogs with a win in 2015 at Carmichael Arena, 70-63. Despite the limited history for Carolina with Yale, Courtney Banghart is plenty familiar with the New Haven, Conn., Ivy League residents. In her tenure as Princeton's leader, Banghart went 22-4 against Yale. Tip is set for 1:00 p.m., so our Tar Heel Sports Network radio coverage rolls at 12:30 p.m. with the Reeds Jewelers Pregame Show.

Just two days later, on Monday, Dec. 30, ACC play begins for Carolina with a visit from the Pitt Panthers. Pitt is led by second-year head coach Lance White, who earned his first career ACC win over Carolina, 91-78, on Feb. 14 in Pittsburgh. That game tips at 2:00 p.m. (note the afternoon start even on a Monday), so our Tar Heel Sports Network radio coverage commences at 1:30 p.m. with the Reeds Jewelers Pregame Show.

We'll worry about Yale and Pitt after Christmas, though. For now, all the best of holiday wishes to you and your family. Here's hoping Santa treats you well! Merry Christmas and Go Heels!

-Matt