Women's College Basketball Game of the Week: No. 2 UConn vs. No. 14 North Carolina

Women's college basketball is finally in full swing with an exciting non-conference matchup between UConn and North Carolina.

The UConn Huskies will face the North Carolina Tarheels on Friday, Nov. 15.

The last time these two teams met was Dec. 10, 2023, when the Huskies came out on top with a game-winning score of 76-64.

This was also the game where UConn's star guard Paige Buckers scored her 1,000 career points, tying former UConn legend Maya Moore with the fewest games to reach the milestone (55 games) in program history.

Now, less than a year later, these teams will face off again with a multitude of changes on both teams' fronts. UConn looks to not only repeat their success from last season but also to capitalize on it. On the other hand, North Carolina has entered this season looking for redemption from their previous season.

A former dynasty in its own right, UConn has spent the last few years rebuilding what they once were. Faced with a multitude of setbacks including injuries and COVID, the Huskies 2023-24 season ended in the Final Four by the now infamous Iowa backed by star player Caitlin Clark.

UConn has only grown from these setbacks as they now attempt their first undefeated season and National Championship since the 2015-26 season.

Head Coach Geno Auriemma enters his 40th season with the Huskies, making this season all the more important to the team.

Bueckers enters her final season with the Huskies performing at the top of her game. Coming off an impressive win against South Florida, where Bueckers scored 22 of the team's 86 points.

Bueckers isn’t the only face to watch out for this season, as the Huskies introduced graduate transfer from Princeton, Kaitlyn Chen, who finished the game with eight points and seven assists in just 22 minutes as a starter. Chen is expected to add some new insight and experience to a now relatively young UConn team.

Even with the loss of star players such as Aaliyah Edwards and Nika Mühl the Huskies have remained consistent with their abilities, something that has been a weak spot for the team in past seasons.

The Tarheels have started this season strong, defeating Charleston Southern (83-53) UNC Wilmington (77-50) and North Carolina A&T (66-47).

Their first true challenge this season will be this face-off against UConn, however, Head Coach Courtney Banghart looks to establish the Tarheels as a dominant force in the ACC.

North Carolina key players, graduate forward Alyssa Ustby and graduate guard Lexi Donarski, are set to play a huge role on Friday. Donarski is the team’s leading scorer so far this season, averaging 17.5 points, while Ustby is averaging 12 points eight rebounds and four assists across the two games.

North Carolina is sure to have their hands full attempting to debilitate Bueckers who excels at shooting from all points on the court and her height which elevates her to one of the greatest guards in the country.

North Carolina is sure to utilize Ustby and Donarski to diminish Bueckers’ effects on the court.

The Tarheels' defense is also a factor that could cause trouble for the Huskies. North Carolina has remained strong in their defense, forcing 21 turnovers which resulted in 29 points, and 27 fast break points against North Carolina A&T.

Both teams come into this match looking to keep their winning streaks alive, and with two very different teams, it should be a thrilling game showcasing what's to come this season.

Brooke Casey is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, please email bec5457@psu.edu.