Team Spotlight v1: UNC

Team Spotlight v1: University of North Carolina

This is version 1 of Team Spotlights. We won’t be venturing too far from our usual blunt and sarcastic stories where we try to push the envelope, but we thought we would start implementing team spotlights in case y’all like it.

First up, UNC.

UNC has long been associated with a basketball program that's earned quite a reputation, especially on the men's side. We're talking Michael Jordan, some other washed-up legends whose names we won't bother mentioning, and of course, the legendary Coach Roy Williams. It's a tough act to follow for any women's program, but hey, at least the women get to bask in the glow of Nike Jordan shoes and enjoy a steady flow of cash. Not too shabby, right? A lot of programs dream of this type of situation.

We’ll be highlighting a few members of the coaching staff, along with notable players who we think will have a big impact on this upcoming season. Let’s begin

Coaching Staff (some)

Head Coach: Courtney Banghart is a former starter and Neuroscience major at Dartmouth College where she holds the Ivy League record with 273 career 3 pointers. (Classic white person who plays basketball amiright) Some interesting facts about Courtney is that she used to be a HC of a High School Girls Tennis But more interesting than that is that her last name is one letter away from saying “BANG HARD”, her first word as a baby was “Ball”, but yet she is a part of the LGBTQ🌈 community.

Assistant Coach #1: Joanne Aluka-White is a Nigerian powerhouse from the Charlotte 49ers and FIU’s coaching staff and former player for Middle Tennessee. As a player or coworker, you do not want to test a Nigerian. Especially one who is religious. Banghart was smart for adding her to the team. Religious/spiritual coaches like Aluka-White play a vital role in thriving teams, uplifting and encouraging players and staff. They understand that basketball is just the beginning of a greater life impact. Their profound influence resonates within the team.

Assistant Coach #2: Itoro Coleman who has experience at Marquette, Penn State, Butler, Liberty, and Clemson. #stacked She even coached Jonquel Jones at Clemson, but only for 2 minutes because Jonquel transferred. I’m curious to know what working at Liberty is like. Looks cult-like from the outside. Similar to Aluka-White, she was also on the Nigerian Olympic team. Banghart sure knows how to pick ‘em! Something interesting about Coleman is that she’s a singer. Rumor has it, during her time at Clemson, that was the reason a few of her players transferred: she sang too much.

Assistant Coach #3: Adrian Walters who has experience at the University of Alabama, Georgetown, El Camino College and Gallaudet University. Gallaudet University is for the deaf & hard of hearing. So we are going to assume that Walters can do sign language. I bet he cusses out the players in sign language.

Random Coach: Dr. Jeni Shannon, she is on the coaching staff for Mental Health. She must be the vault of all secrets and skeletons at that program. I pray she writes a “fictional” book that lightly covers what she has heard during her tenure. 👀🔎

Players (some)

Unfortunately, they have lost one of their key players, Kennedy Todd-Williams to Ole Miss for this upcoming season. Bummer, but interested to see how her game grows under HC Yolett Mcphee-McCuin. Anyways, in her replacement, they have sealed some promising transfers and incoming freshmen to compensate the loss.

First up, we have Indya Nivar, a strong guard with great growth potential, who transferred from Stanford. Then there's Lexi Donarski, who transferred from Iowa State and is like an “Almost like a Caitlin Clark”. Then there is Laila Hull, an incoming Freshman who can run the floor and will soon become a Coach’s favorite.

Among the returning seniors, we have Deja Kelly and Alyssa Utsby, a dynamic guard/post duo who will provide crucial leadership. With a lineup dominated by guards and these talented transfers vying for starting spots, the team's chemistry will be interesting to watch. I predict that Deja Kelly's assist stats will soar with the addition of strong shooting guards like Lexi and drive capabilities from Laila. Indya's presence will also help balance out Deja's fouls. I’ll be curious to see if Deja and Lexi’s shot attempt averages remain the same or if one of them attempts less.

I really think UNC and Iowa will look similar this season.

Now, if there were a basketball version that excluded post players and focused solely on guards, UNC would dominate the game. With Indya, Lexi, Laila, and Deja, they have a formidable four-person team. Not to mention the guards they have coming off the bench. However, this season they will heavily rely on ball screens, pressure opponents full court, and emphasize quick shooting and guard play. It will be intriguing to see how they fare against teams known for their dominant post play. Either they'll quickly figure it out or they will become one of those teams who just alllllmost came together, but not enough.

No matter how good or bad this team is, it really doesn’t matter. They’re UNC and they get to live in the shadows of the men’s program.

🐐The Pat Summitt Foundation is holding a Day of Giving to honor the late great’s birthday.

📍Alisa Williams, LSU National Champion, benchwarmer, and TikToker, transfers to Iowa State

✍ Indiana’s head coach, Teri Moren, becomes one of the highest paid coaches after signing a contract extension through 2029 for $1.3M/year.

👀Kansas State can dunk?!