No. 9 NC State vs. UNC Women’s Basketball Key Position Battles

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The first meeting between the N.C. State Wolfpack and North Carolina Tar Heels women’s basketball teams tomorrow at Carmichael Arena marks the 340th day since UNC upset an unbeaten, 21-0, No. 7 N.C. State in their first meeting last season.

North Carolina junior center Janelle Bailey controlled the paint on both ends of the court that day on route to a double-double, 16 points and 13 rebounds.

The No. 7 Wolfpack (14-0, 3-0 ACC) is one of the four remaining unbeaten teams this season; and the Tar Heels (11-3, 2-1 ACC) started  8-0 for the first time since 2014-15 and return home after splitting games during a two-game road trip.

Both teams lost key players last year, but three positions battles will have a great effect on who wins their first matchup of the season.

Bailey vs. Cunane

N.C. State sophomore center Elissa Cunane and Bailey were named to the preseason Lisa Leslie Award watch list. Both lead their teams in scoring and rebounding – Bailey 14.7 points and 10.7 rebounds per game, and Cunane 17.5 points and 14.7 rebounds per game.

Bailey and Cunane have been doubled throughout the season, but it’s unlikely for either team to send double teams because of each team’s perimeter scoring threats and  Bailey and Cunane are both capable defenders.

Bennett vs. Konig

North Carolina senior guard Shayla Bennett and N.C. State senior guard Aislinn Konig anchor veteran backcourts for their teams.

Bennett averages 13.1 points and is ranked 29th nationally with 5.2 assists per game. Bennett posted a 26-point career-high in a 76-70 loss against Virginia Tech Sunday.

Konig surpassed 1,000 points Sunday against Virginia in an 80-60 victory. She averages 10. 3 points and 3.6 points per game. The British Columbia native has made a team-high, 32 3-pointers on the season.

N.C. State is at their best when Konig is scoring the ball from the perimeter, but UNC thrives when Bennett is more of a facilitator than scorer. UNC lost two of their three games this year when Bennett posted career scoring highs.

Jones vs. Tshitenge

UNC freshman forward Malu Tshitenge has been a pleasant surprise for North Carolina after the season-ending injury of junior forward Jaelynn Murray. However, Tshitenge faces her toughest matchup of the season with Wolfpack junior forward Kayla Jones. She averages 9.6 points per game and shoots 40.5 percent from the 3-point line.

N.C. State plays a 4-out-1-in offense with Cunane in the middle. Tshitenge, who prefers to play in the paint on both ends of the floor, must guard Jones on the perimeter. Jones is quicker than Tshitenge, and this could lead to her getting in foul trouble – the last thing UNC needs.

UNC first-year head coach Courtney Banghart may consider playing small-ball with 6-foot-2-inch senior guard Taylor Koenen as a forward, and play freshman guard Kennady Tucker alongside of Bennett and senior guard Madinah Muhammad in the backcourt.

Game Information

Tipoff: Thursday, Jan. 9, at 7 p.m. at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C.

Watch: Fox Sports or (Watch) ESPN

Listen: TuneIn (online),  WKNC 88.1 FM (Radio)

 

Feature image courtesy of Lawrence Davis III

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