GoHeels Exclusive: NCAA Women's Basketball Notebook

By Pat James, GoHeels.com

WACO, Texas — The North Carolina women's basketball team might not feature a single player on its roster who has previously participated in the NCAA Tournament.

But that's not a concern for Sylvia Hatchell and the ninth-seeded Tar Heels entering Saturday's first-round game against eighth-seeded California, largely because they feel as if the ACC has prepared them for what they'll encounter.

"Our conference is really, really tough," Hatchell told reporters on Friday during her press conference at Baylor's Ferrell Center. "But just anyone can win in the NCAA. It's been proven time and time again.

"These kids, they haven't been to an NCAA, but yet they are excited to be here. And like I told them, 'Your competition in the NCAA will be like it has been in the conference.'"

That message has resonated with Hatchell's players.

Because of the teams that UNC faced during conference play – including No. 1 seeds Louisville and Notre Dame – Paris Kea said her squad is "not afraid of anyone." Janelle Bailey echoed that sentiment. But she also said Carolina can't focus too much on what it's done to reach this point.

"It's kind of like a new beginning and it's anybody's game …" Bailey said. "We do realize this is a new season. And we're thankful that we're here but we just kind of leave the past in the past and play one game and get this W now."

Here are three more notes from Friday's press conferences:

Containing Anigwe

The Golden Bears are led by All-American center Kristine Anigwe, who paces Division I with 16.3 rebounds per game and is seventh in scoring (22.9). She's the only player in the nation – male or female – with a double-double in every game this season.

When asked Friday how one might approach defending a player of Anigwe's caliber, Hatchell said "you pray a lot."

"She's really tough," Hatchell said. "But she's one player. The game is played by five. But she's very, very good. Around the basket, you've got to try to box her out and keep her from getting all the rebounds she's used to getting. She's so good when she gets the ball down low.

"You're not going to stop a player like that. But you just try to control them a little bit and outscore them."

Similarly, Bailey, who will be tasked with defending Anigwe, said she doesn't need to concentrate on getting several rebounds. She just needs to limit Anigwe's total.

"It's not about stopping her; it's about containing her, making it difficult for her to score the ball and get rebounds, because her team relies on her a lot," Bailey said. "I realize she's a great player. She's an All-American. So it's going to be about containing her more than trying to stop her play because with somebody great like that, you can't really stop them."

Evolving leadership

As the Tar Heels' only senior, Kea might hold the largest leadership role. But that hasn't prevented other players from speaking up throughout the season, especially down the stretch.

Hatchell said that leadership was evident during the team's film session Friday morning.

"Different ones are stepping up and speaking out …" Hatchell said. "It's not necessarily the ones that play that much, but other kids, more than anything else, just trying to be a great teammate and to motivate their teammates. I've been really pleased with that."

A familiar face

Between her press conference and when UNC took the floor for practice, Hatchell stopped and spoke with Baylor coach Kim Mulkey. Hatchell was a court coach at the U.S. Olympic basketball tryouts and a member of the Olympic Games basketball events staff in Los Angeles in 1984, when Mulkey played for the national team.

"She coaches like she played – relentless, fearless," Hatchell said. "I mean, that's the way she was as a player. And she just carried her playing personality and tenacity and all that into her coaching. … She's done some great things for our game, no doubt about that."

With a win over California, Carolina would likely face Mulkey and No. 1 overall seed Baylor – which plays No. 16 seed Abilene Christian on Saturday – in Monday's second round.

Scoreboard Slider

University of North Carolina Athletics

Players Mentioned

Janelle Bailey

Paris Kea

Related Videos