The UNC women’s basketball team is moving on in the NCAA Tournament. Thanks to their 82-51 domination of Western Illinois in Friday’s opener, the Tar Heels (27-7, 14-4) will face old ACC rival Maryland on Sunday at 12 p.m.
North Carolina used its signature, lockdown defense to control the Leathernecks (26-6, 16-4 OVC) on Friday. WIU shot just 30 percent overall from the field, including a paltry 13% mark rom deep.
Anchored by a 17-point, 12-rebound performance from star forward Nyla Harris, the Tar Heels enjoyed a big offensive day, shooting 43% overall. Lanie Grant (15 points), Nyla Books (14) and Elina Aarnisalo (11) all reached double-figures, while head coach Courtney Banghart played 13 different Tar Heels.
Maryland (24-8, 11-7 Big 10) won its NCAA Tournament opener in equally dominant fashion, smacking Murray State 99-67 in an offensive explosion. The Terrapins showcased an efficient offense in their victory, shooting 50% from the field and 86% at the free throw line. Mir McLean (19 points, 14 rebounds) and Saylor Poffenbarger (10 points, 11 rebounds) snagged double-doubles, while Kyndal Walker added a team-high 20 points off the bench.
UNC will have a tougher time beating Maryland on Sunday, but has the advantage of playing in Carmichael Arena again. North Carolina and Maryland each have second-straight Sweet 16 trips on the line, but something has to give.
Keep reading below for our game preview, which includes the Tar Heels’ key to victory, their full schedule, something to watch, statistical leaders for each team and streaming information.
Key to Victory
Make your free throws.
This is an area that makes or breaks teams in the NCAA Tournament. Despite a strong offensive outing, UNC made just 63% of its free throws against Western Illinois.
Maryland sank 86% of its free throws against Murray State, outplaying North Carolina in this area. The Tar Heels have to convert at the charity stripe on Sunday, or their season will end.
Something to Watch
UNC’s performance from beyond the arc.
The Tar Heels led all ACC schools with a 35.6% mark on 3-pointers in regular season action. With a guard-heavy roster, it makes sense for North Carolina to be proficient on trifectas.
UNC only drained 25% of its 3-pointers against Western Illinois, but that didn’t matter in the grand scheme of things. The Tar Heels have to make more threes against Maryland on Sunday, or at least shoot a better percentage.
Statistical leaders
Points
UNC: Nyla Harris (11.4)
Maryland: Oluchi Okananwa (17.7)
Rebounds
UNC: Nyla Harris (6.6)
Maryland: Saylor Poffenbarger (7.1)
Assists
UNC: Indya Nivar (3.9)
Maryland: Saylor Poffenbarger (3.3)
What you need to know
WHAT? North Carolina Tar Heels (27-7, 14-4 ACC) vs. Maryland Terrapins (24-8, 11-7 Big 10)
WHEN? Sunday, March 11 at 12 p.m.
WHERE? Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C.
TV?ESPN
RADIO? SiriusXM (Channel 81)
LINE?UNC -2.5
LAST MEETING? UNC 73, Maryland 70 on March 7, 2014 in the ACC Tournament
ALL-TIME SERIES: UNC leads, 15-11
PREDICTION? Maryland 73, UNC 67
Full UNC basketball schedule
November 3: vs. North Carolina Central (W, 90-42)
Nov. 6: vs. Elon (W, 71-37)
Nov. 13: vs. UCLA in Las Vegas, Nev. (L, 78-60)
Nov. 15: vs. Fairfield in Las Vegas, Nev. (W, 82-68)
Nov. 20: @ North Carolina A&T (W, 85-50)
Nov. 23: vs. UNC-Greensboro (W, 94-48)
Nov. 27: vs. South Dakota State in Cancun, Mexico (W, 83-48)
Nov. 28: vs. Kansas State in Cancun, Mexico (W, 85-73)
Nov. 29: vs. Columbia (N.Y.) University in Cancun, Mexico (W, 80-63)
December 4: @ Texas (L, 79-64)
Dec. 7: vs. Boston University (W, 82-40)
Dec. 14: vs. Louisville (L, 76-66)
Dec. 17: vs. UNC-Wilmington (W, 84-34)
Dec. 21: vs. Charleston Southern (W, 93-74)
Dec. 29: @ Boston College (W, 90-39)
January 1: vs. Cal (W, 71-55)
Jan. 4: vs. Stanford (L, 77-71)
Jan: 11: at Notre Dame (L, 73-50)
Jan. 15: vs. Miami (FL) (W, 73-62)
Jan. 18: @ Florida State (W, 82-55)
Jan. 22: @ Georgia Tech (W, 54-46)
Jan. 25: vs. Syracuse (W, 77-71)
February 2: @ NC State (W, 61-59)
Feb. 5: vs. Clemson (W, 53-44)
Feb. 8: @ Wake Forest (W, 84-56)
Feb. 12: vs. SMU (W, 94-42)
Feb. 15: at Duke (L, 72-68)
Feb. 19: @ Virginia Tech (W, 66-63)
Feb. 22: vs. Pitt (W, 78-50)
Feb. 26: @ Virginia (W, 82-70)
March 1: vs. Duke (W, 74-69)
March 6: vs. Virginia Tech in ACC Tournament Quarterfinals (W, 85-68)
March 7: vs. Louisville in ACC Tournament Semifinals (L, 65-57)
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC women’s basketball: Previewing NCAA Tournament clash with Maryland
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