North Carolina
#19 California
No. 15 WBB Opens West Coast Swing Against No. 19 California
January 29, 2025 | Women's Basketball
TIPPING OFF
• Carolina puts its undefeated road record to the test, looking to be the first to take down No. 19 California on its home court this season. The Golden Bears are currently 11-0 at home this season and are 3-0 in Haas Pavilion against ACC quads.
• Looking to respond from a heart-breaker against Florida State at the buzzer in Carmichael Arena on Sunday, Carolina is 29-19 in their next game coming off of a loss in the Courtney Banghart era.
• The chase is on for Alyssa Ustby as the graduate student closes in on becoming Carolina's all-time leading rebounder. She remains 86 rebounds away and is currently averaging 10.33 boards per game in ACC action.
SCOUTING THE GOLDEN BEARS
Joining the Atlantic Coast Conference this past summer, California has made a splash in its first season league and in the sixth season under head coach Charmin Smith.
The No. 19 Golden Bears sit at 18-3, 6-2 in the ACC and remain undefeated at home with a record of 11-0.
Draining its shots at a high-rate, Cal ranks No. 2 in the ACC in field goal percentage at 46.4%. The Golden Bears love the three-ball, sitting second in the league and 15th nationally with an average of 9.3 makes per outing.
Ioanna Krimili carries Cal from deep, leading the ACC with an average of 2.95 triples each game. She ranks second nationally with a total of 169 attempts this season.
SERIES HISTORY VS. CALIFORNIA
Carolina faces off against California for the fifth time in program history and for the first in Berkeley since 1987.
The two teams last met in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Tournament, where Cal earned a 92-72 win over Carolina in Waco.
LAST TIME OUT
Facing off against one of the nation's hottest offenses, Carolina suffered a heart-breaker on Sunday with Florida State hitting a shot at the buzzer to fall 86-84 to the Seminoles from Carmichael Arena.
Despite scoring its most points in an ACC game this season, Carolina almost took the Seminoles to overtime yet couldn't slow down the country's leading scorer in Ta'Niya Latson.
Five Tar Heels tallied double-figures with Maria Gakdeng leading the way by matching her season-high with 21 points. Tallying her ninth double-double of the year, Alyssa Ustby snagged 10 rebounds and added 14 points to meet the mark.
As a team, Carolina dished out 20 assists with Grace Townsend notching six helpers.
HEELS OUT WEST
Heading out to California for the first time since 2013, Carolina has found success throughout the history of the program on the West Coast.
Overall, Carolina is 7-6 in the State of California and has won its last two outings.
RANKED TEAMS ON THE ROAD
A win on Thursday over California would be UNC's third win over a ranked team on their home court in the Courtney Banghart era.
Last year, Carolina knocked off then No. 16 Notre Dame on its home floor in South Bend.
A HELPING HAND
Dropping 20 assists total as a team against Florida State, the Tar Heels notched their most against an ACC opponent to date this season.Â
Led by Grace Townsend with six helpers, Carolina earned its third 20+ assist game of the season and the sixth in ACC action under Courtney Banghart.
FEELIN' IT FROM THE FIELD
The Tar Heels lit up the floor in the second half against Wake Forest, shooting a season second half-high of 67.% en route to an ACC game-best 56.6% from the field.
Carolina hit over 50% of its shots for the third game this season and the second time in ACC action.
Under Banghart, Carolina has shot over 50% against ACC opponents in nine games.
THE BEST KIND OF HEIST
It's no secret that Carolina's defense can limit its opponents, yet the Tar Heels have been taking what's theirs in the three game stretch against SMU, Pitt and Wake Forest with 10+ steals in each.
This defense is doing what few other Carolina teams have done, earning 10+Â steals in three straight ACC games for the first time since the 2015 Tar Heels did so in six consecutive games.
Indya Nivar has been leading this charge, averaging 2.38 swipes per outing.
CAN'T TOUCH THIS
Shutting down Wake Forest off the glass, Carolina limited the Demon Deacons to only 20 rebounds in the outing.
It marks the fewest rebounds allowed in a single-game since only giving up 18 boards in 2021 against UNC Asheville and the fewest against an ACC opponent in the Banghart era.
ALL THINGS CLICKING
With the win over Wake Forest, Carolina cemented its best start in the Courtney Banghart era with 18 wins through 21 games.
It also marked the best start since the Tar Heels began the 2012-13 season at 19-2.
The Tar Heels have also earned 12 wins by 20+ points this season, the second most in the Banghart era. The 2021-22 Carolina squad defeated 13 opponents by a 20+ margin.
WHEN YOU'RE HOT, YOU'RE HOT
Heating up from beyond the arc, Carolina felt the energy throughout the team from beyond the arc with six Tar Heels combining for an ACC game-high 13 three's against Pitt.
The 13 made triples for the Tar Heels tied the most in an ACC game since draining 14 in 2019 against Georgia Tech.
Lexi Donarski felt it all week, draining a team-high five triples for the first time in her career making five or more three's in back-to-back games.
Donarski followed this up with five threes against Wake Forest to extend her streak to three consecutive game with five made triples.
JUMPED OUT THE GYM
As a team against SMU, Carolina grabbed a total of 52 rebounds for the second most in a single-game this season and the most since an ACC squad since facing off against Duke in 2022.
The feat was the seventh time a Banghart team had collected 50 or more rebounds against an ACC team.
Alyssa Ustby led the charge, tying her career-high with a total of 18 boards. Her performance was the most rebounds in a single-game by any ACC player this season.
Collecting 49 against Pitt, Carolina crushed the Panthers off the glass for a margin of +13, the most against an ACC team this season.
MAKE IT COUNT
Any win in the ACC is crucial to a team's NCAA Tournament chances and Carolina made a statement in its victory over SMU.
The 31-point victory over the Mustangs was UNC's third ACC win by 30 plus points in the Courtney Banghart era.
This season when facing off against unranked opponents, Carolina is 16-1.
ROAD WARRIORS
Sitting at 4-0 in true road games, Carolina is off to its best start away from home since the 2021-22 season.
The 2021-22 Tar Heels ran off to a 4-0 start on the road with wins at Charlotte, TCU, Minnesota and Boston College.
The Tar Heels are off to their best road start in conference play at 3-0 since the 2013-14 season.
A win on Thursday would match Carolina's best road start in league action at 4-0, for the first time since the 2011-12 season.
LOCK 'EM UP
Carolina limited SMU to very few good looks from the field, shutting down the Mustangs to a field goal percentage of 19.4%.Â
The defensive mark is the best against an ACC foe in the Courtney Banghart era.
AGAINST RANKED OPPONENTS
Under Banghart, the Tar Heels are 18-28 overall against AP Top-25 teams and 12-7 against ranked opponents at home.
This season the Tar Heels are 2-3 against ranked foes, previously taking on then No. 2 UConn, No. 14 Kentucky, No. 25 Georgia Tech, No. 3 Notre Dame and No. 14 Duke.
WE'VE GOT A NEW TAR HEEL!
Enrolling early at UNC to join the Tar Heels for the spring semester, Taissa Queiroz will join the fold and practice with the team for the remainder of the season.
A four-star prospect by ESPN, a native of Belo Horizonte, Brazil prepped in the Bay Area before signing with the Tar Heels.
The 6-1 guard was named the San Francisco Chronicle Co-North Bay Player of the Year and was ranked a Top-Five Player on the West Coast by Preps-Bay Area.
SHE'S A PROBLEM
Making it happen on the inside, Maria Gakdeng is proving to be a problem in the paint and is lighting it up in ACC action.
Her presence can be felt off the glass, averaging 7.22 rebounds in conference play to rank 13th among ACC players.
Gakdeng and Alyssa Ustby make for one tough combo, with Ustby averaging 10.33 boards in ACC action to rank second in the conference.
KEYS TO A DUB
When it comes to the Tar Heels earning a win, 17 of their 18 wins have had multiple correlations.
Carolina's defense must get it done, holding all victories but one under 60 points or less and provide a little breathing room with all wins but two by 10 points or more.
MAKING THEM PAY
The Tar Heels have been causing havoc all-season for opposing teams, and love to force turnovers.
Not only can Carolina earn takeaways, they cash them in for points and currently average 20.6 points per game off of turnovers.
This season, UNC is earning an average of 18.59 takeaways per game, ranking fifth in the ACC through all games.
STACKING DUBS
With the win over Norfolk State, picked up its 12th non-conference win for the most in a single-season since the 2013-14 campaign.
That team went on to make an Elite Eight appearance and finish 27-10 overall.
DEFENSE IN OUR DNA
Carolina's defense has been one of the strongest in the country this season, ranking in the top-25 in multiple statistical categories.
The Tar Heels currently lead the ACC and sit 11th nationally in holding its opponents to a 34.7% clip from the field.Â
In holding five of of its opponents this season under 40 points, UNC ranks 14th in Division I basketball in scoring defense and once again leads the ACC by keeping its opponents to an average of 54.9 points per game.
The 2024-25 Tar Heels have already bested last season's squad who held only four opponents under 50-points the entire year in keeping eight at or below the mark and have held 12 of its 22 opponents to its lowest scoring game of their season when facing UNC.
EXPERIENCE SPEAKS
With Lexi Donarski, Grace Townsend and Alyssa Ustby each boasting over 130 career appearances, the Tar Heels are touted as one of the most experienced teams in the nation.
UNC is one of five programs nationally with three players appearing in 130+ games, joining Boise State, Miami, Northern Arizona and Oklahoma.
BOUNCE BACK
Under Banghart, the Tar Heels are now 29-19 in their next game when coming off of a loss.
THREE'S ON THREE'S
The three ball has been a focal point of Carolina's offense this year, with seven games with 10 plus three's drained.
21 games into the 2024-25 campaign, the Tar Heels have already set a Banghart era best of games with 10 or more triples, the most since the 2020-21 season.
Against Norfolk State, Carolina matched the program best with 14 made triples.
SHINING BRIGHT UNDER THE LIGHTS
The Tar Heels proved that they can handle the spotlight in its win over No. 14 Kentucky and sure made a statement of it.
The 19-point win over the Wildcats was the largest win against any AP Top-25 opponent since 2020 and its largest win over a top-15 ranked opponent since 2011.
In Carmichael Arena, the Tar Heels are 12-7 against ranked opponents under Banghart.
RUNNING DEEP
The 2024-25 Tar Heel roster is full of talent, as Banghart can go deep in the roster in any game situation.
This season, UNC's bench has outscored 21 out of of its 22 opponents and averages 25.5 points per game from its reserves.
Seven Tar Heels currently average 5.0 points per game or higher.
BROUGHT THE FIREWORKS
The Tar Heels put on a memorable offensive performance against N.C. Central, recording a Banghart era high 119 points for the third most in program history.
Six Tar Heels scored in double-figures, with Alyssa Ustby leading the way with a season-high 24 points.
Carolina dished out a Banghart era best 28 assists, the most in a single-game in the past 20 seasons.
The field goal percentage of 58.6% was the highest in a single game for the Tar Heels since against Jackson State in 2022.
119 points tied Florida State in the most scored by an ACC team in a single-game this season.
MAKE IT RAIN
Something about Imperial Arena had the Tar Heels feeling hot from three, draining a total of 23 throughout the Battle4Atlantis.
Trayanna Crisp led Carolina with seven makes from beyond the arc, followed by Lexi Donarski with four.
Overall, the Tar Heels shot a 37.7% clip from deep on the tournament.
Carolina followed this performance up by tying its then season high with a total of 11 made three's as a team against N.C. Central. It marked the first back-to-back games with 10 or more made three's since the 2021-22 season against James Madison and UNC Asheville.
In the Banghart era, the Tar Heels boast 33 games with 10 or more three's made.
DOUBLE-TROUBLE
As two of Carolina's fifth-year players, the duo of Lexi Donarski and Alyssa Ustby feed off one another's successes on the court.
When the pair both score in double-figures, the Tar Heels are 15-5 overall.
LET IT FLY LEX!
As one of the nation's best active three-point shooters, Lexi Donarski is a reliable scoring option for a three as she currently rides a 29-game streak with a made triple.
This stretch dating back to last season is the longest of the fifth-year's career.
Donarski currently averages 2.41 triples per game to rank 5th among players in the ACC.
WE'LL SWIPE THAT
The Tar Heels have been aggressive on the defensive end this season, powered by Reniya Kelly and Indya Nivar.
The Tar Heels have swiped 10 or more steals in 10 out of 22 games this season.
At Pitt, Nivar tallied a career-high seven steals for the most in a single-game in the Banghart era.
Nivar currently ranks third in ACC games with an average of 2.88 steals per contest.
NEED A DIME? GRACE'S GOT YOU
Already statistically proven as one of the best facilitators in college basketball, Grace Townsend continues to rack up assists in her first season in Chapel Hill.
The Richmond transfer currently sits at No. 8 nationally in active career assists with a total of 612.
Against UNCW, Townsend tallied eight assists against the Seahawks for a season-best. Throughout her career, Townsend has dished out five or more assists in 62 games.
THE FAB FRESHMEN
Scouring the United States for some of the nation's top talent, Banghart and Co. have brought in three freshman that have the chance to make an immediate impact for Carolina.
Lanie Grant, Blanca Thomas and Jordan Zubich comprise the freshman class with the trio bringing in a plethora of high school and club accolades.
Grant chose to reclassify to the class of 2024 and forgo her final season of high school to join the Tar Heels early.Â
A Carolina native, Thomas hopes to provide assistance on the interior and a strong defensive presence.
The 2023 Defensive Player of the Year by the Charlotte Observer, Thomas led Charlotte Catholic to back-to-back final four appearances in the state tournament.
Joining Ustby as the second Minnesota native on the team, Zubich is coming off of an electric prep career where she scored over 3,000 career points.Â
A graduate of Mountain Iron-Buhl High School, Zubich was touted as the No. 69 player in the Class of 2024 by ESPN's HoopGurlz.
THE BEST OF THE BEST
A mixture of youth and experience can be found throughout the Tar Heel roster, yet some of the vets on the team have proven their skills on a national level.
The duo of Donarksi and Ustby make them one of the most experienced pairs in the country, ranking in the top-10 in multiple categories among active players in Division I Basketball.
As a sharpshooter, Donarski currently sits at No. 5 in made three's with a total of 323. With 150 career appearances, she also ranks No. 6 in active games played.
A walking double-double, Ustby's 1166 career rebounds have her fifth nationally. Her 47 double-doubles have her fifth nationally among active players.
OH MY MARIA!
Posting a stellar first season as a Tar Heel, Maria Gakdeng averaged 6.4 points per game while shooting 62.6% from the field in 2023-24.
The senior's efforts were once again recognized as one of the best centers in the nation, as Gakdeng was named to the Lisa Leslie Award Watch List for the second season in-a-row.
Gakdeng also proves to be a fearless rim protector, sitting at 203 blocks and ranks 13th among active players.
MILESTONE TRACKER
MARIA GAKDENG
• 2 assists away from 100 career.
INDYA NIVAR
• 2 steals away from career-season best
• 3 assists away from career-season best
GRACE TOWNSEND
• 167 points away from 1,500 career.
ALYSSA USTBY
• 86 rebounds from No. 1 in program history.
• 5 points from moving into 18th overall in scoring at UNC.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Carolina remains in the Bay Area, visiting Stanford on Sunday. Tip from Maples Pavilion is set for 3 p.m. ET, airing on The CW.
