University of North Carolina Athletics
Freshman Nia Daniel (right) defends senior Taylor Koenen at Thursday's practice.
Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati
GoHeels Exclusive: First Practice Notebook
September 26, 2019 | Women's Basketball, Featured Writers
By Pat James, GoHeels.com
Just over a month ahead of Courtney Banghart's first game as North Carolina's head women's basketball coach, the Tar Heels held their first official practice of the 2019-20 season on Thursday afternoon.
Before they did, Banghart encouraged her team not to approach it any differently than the many practices that will follow.
"I told them, for some, we can think about the circumstance of it being the first day," Banghart told reporters afterward. "But it's really our 15th if you look at the fall preseason. It's not about one day on this journey; it's about kind of the process. And today was just another day of what we're building, on both ends of the ball."
When building a program, Banghart said she's always examining how the players handle things they haven't previously been exposed to. Thursday, the staff put them in a variety of new situations to see how they'd respond, and it will continue to do so.
"They were challenged today," Banghart said. "They're physically exhausted. We've done a lot of conditioning this week – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday – and there's the energy of we're starting and there are some nerves for that. We just kind of blew through it and tried to play through it. I hate to sound so cliche, but it's just another day in this process that we're working hard to build."
Here are five more notes from Banghart's post-practice media availability:
Captain Koenen
Upon arriving in Chapel Hill, Banghart met with each player so she could get to know them and learn what their goals are for themselves and the team. She also asked each of them if they'd be ready to name their leaders. Every player, she said, told her that Taylor Koenen would be one.
Ultimately, all that culminated in Koenen, one of three returning starters, being named team captain for the 2019-20 season. The honor was announced in a team meeting before Thursday's practice.
"It was fun for me to be able to honor her with a very deserving title," Banghart said. "We always say that leaders are consistent, and she is incredibly consistent with her purpose and in terms of her commitment, in terms of her drive. You never have any questions with her. You don't have to meet Taylor at her emotion.
"She's incredibly consistent and she has been for this program for a long time. So, it's always a good day when you can do something like that."
Muhammad's return
After transferring from Ole Miss, Madinah Muhammad sat out the entire 2018-19 season due to NCAA transfer regulations. But now that that's behind her, the redshirt senior – a 1,000-point scorer in three seasons with the Rebels – seems poised for a significant role.
"Dino has athletic mortality, as they all do – that's the best thing about a senior," Banghart said. "This is all she's got, one more year. So, the athletic mortality that she's playing with is palpable. She knows that, 'OK, this is all I've got. This is the last first day. Tomorrow is the last second day.' So, I love that part of her.
"She wants to be a pro, so she's still sticking around shooting because she's trying to work on different things that we're asking her to do. She gives us another dimension because she can go get one – we talk about going to get a bucket and she can go get one. So, if possessions break down, she can handle that. And then she gives you another steady ball-handler, so she's sort of a combo guard. She's key to what we're doing, for sure."
Points of emphasis
Despite reaching the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2015 last season, UNC ranked 310th nationally in scoring defense (71.4 points per game) and 268th in rebound margin (-3.2). So, it's no surprise what Carolina has been concentrating on in practice.
"We've been focusing almost exclusively on the defensive end and rebounding, really securing our possessions on that side of the ball," Banghart said. "I let them do a little bit of offense, and you see they love that and they're really good at it. But we've got to really dig in and defend and take pride in getting stops.
"That's been a huge adjustment for them, and they seem to be getting into it."
Better conditioned
During the summer, Banghart said she'd revamped the strength and conditioning program coordinated by Jason Beaulieu, the lone holdover from the previous staff, by giving him "the freedom to utilize accountability measures differently than he has been able to in the past."
On Thursday, Banghart said the Tar Heels are benefiting from that.
"When you look at some of the conditioning metrics that we started with, with where we are now, you see the improvement, whether it's in the strength area or in the conditioning area," she said. "Their times are, in some cases, at a factor of 10 in terms of how much faster they're running.
"So, we prioritize that and we've got a great support staff that's been helpful in that area. But conditioning was a huge part of the last five months, and it's showing."
Another new experience
Fans will get a chance to see Banghart's team for the first time when it joins the Tar Heel men's team for Late Night with Roy festivities Friday at the Smith Center. The event will begin at 8 p.m., and admission is free. More details can be found here.
"What's neat for me is I really have no idea what to expect," Banghart said. "I guess there has been dance practice and all these things going on, but I've been out recruiting. So, I'm excited.
"I have no idea what to expect, and that's a little bit like taking over the job at North Carolina. You just sort of meet it at the moment, and I'm excited to meet that moment when it comes."
Just over a month ahead of Courtney Banghart's first game as North Carolina's head women's basketball coach, the Tar Heels held their first official practice of the 2019-20 season on Thursday afternoon.
Before they did, Banghart encouraged her team not to approach it any differently than the many practices that will follow.
"I told them, for some, we can think about the circumstance of it being the first day," Banghart told reporters afterward. "But it's really our 15th if you look at the fall preseason. It's not about one day on this journey; it's about kind of the process. And today was just another day of what we're building, on both ends of the ball."
When building a program, Banghart said she's always examining how the players handle things they haven't previously been exposed to. Thursday, the staff put them in a variety of new situations to see how they'd respond, and it will continue to do so.
"They were challenged today," Banghart said. "They're physically exhausted. We've done a lot of conditioning this week – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday – and there's the energy of we're starting and there are some nerves for that. We just kind of blew through it and tried to play through it. I hate to sound so cliche, but it's just another day in this process that we're working hard to build."
Here are five more notes from Banghart's post-practice media availability:
Captain Koenen
Upon arriving in Chapel Hill, Banghart met with each player so she could get to know them and learn what their goals are for themselves and the team. She also asked each of them if they'd be ready to name their leaders. Every player, she said, told her that Taylor Koenen would be one.
Ultimately, all that culminated in Koenen, one of three returning starters, being named team captain for the 2019-20 season. The honor was announced in a team meeting before Thursday's practice.
"It was fun for me to be able to honor her with a very deserving title," Banghart said. "We always say that leaders are consistent, and she is incredibly consistent with her purpose and in terms of her commitment, in terms of her drive. You never have any questions with her. You don't have to meet Taylor at her emotion.
"She's incredibly consistent and she has been for this program for a long time. So, it's always a good day when you can do something like that."
Muhammad's return
After transferring from Ole Miss, Madinah Muhammad sat out the entire 2018-19 season due to NCAA transfer regulations. But now that that's behind her, the redshirt senior – a 1,000-point scorer in three seasons with the Rebels – seems poised for a significant role.
"Dino has athletic mortality, as they all do – that's the best thing about a senior," Banghart said. "This is all she's got, one more year. So, the athletic mortality that she's playing with is palpable. She knows that, 'OK, this is all I've got. This is the last first day. Tomorrow is the last second day.' So, I love that part of her.
"She wants to be a pro, so she's still sticking around shooting because she's trying to work on different things that we're asking her to do. She gives us another dimension because she can go get one – we talk about going to get a bucket and she can go get one. So, if possessions break down, she can handle that. And then she gives you another steady ball-handler, so she's sort of a combo guard. She's key to what we're doing, for sure."
Points of emphasis
Despite reaching the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2015 last season, UNC ranked 310th nationally in scoring defense (71.4 points per game) and 268th in rebound margin (-3.2). So, it's no surprise what Carolina has been concentrating on in practice.
"We've been focusing almost exclusively on the defensive end and rebounding, really securing our possessions on that side of the ball," Banghart said. "I let them do a little bit of offense, and you see they love that and they're really good at it. But we've got to really dig in and defend and take pride in getting stops.
"That's been a huge adjustment for them, and they seem to be getting into it."
Better conditioned
During the summer, Banghart said she'd revamped the strength and conditioning program coordinated by Jason Beaulieu, the lone holdover from the previous staff, by giving him "the freedom to utilize accountability measures differently than he has been able to in the past."
On Thursday, Banghart said the Tar Heels are benefiting from that.
"When you look at some of the conditioning metrics that we started with, with where we are now, you see the improvement, whether it's in the strength area or in the conditioning area," she said. "Their times are, in some cases, at a factor of 10 in terms of how much faster they're running.
"So, we prioritize that and we've got a great support staff that's been helpful in that area. But conditioning was a huge part of the last five months, and it's showing."
Another new experience
Fans will get a chance to see Banghart's team for the first time when it joins the Tar Heel men's team for Late Night with Roy festivities Friday at the Smith Center. The event will begin at 8 p.m., and admission is free. More details can be found here.
"What's neat for me is I really have no idea what to expect," Banghart said. "I guess there has been dance practice and all these things going on, but I've been out recruiting. So, I'm excited.
"I have no idea what to expect, and that's a little bit like taking over the job at North Carolina. You just sort of meet it at the moment, and I'm excited to meet that moment when it comes."
Players Mentioned
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