UConn women’s basketball vs North Carolina live updates: Huskies face UNC in Sweet 16 UConn women’s basketball advanced to the Sweet 16 after a dominant 98-45 victory over Syracuse, showcasing their offensive prowess with an average of 1.8 points per possession and a 53-point halftime lead. North Carolina, meanwhile, overcame a tough Round of 32 matchup against Maryland, winning 74-66. The Huskies’ Sweet 16 showdown with the Tar Heels is set for Friday afternoon, with the game delayed slightly to tip off around 5:15 p.m. ET due to a dramatic finish between Notre Dame and Vanderbilt. Notre Dame secured a 67-64 win over Vanderbilt, with a 31-point triple-double from Hannah Hidalgo propelling the Fighting Irish. This game, featuring former UConn assistant coach Shea Ralph, was deferred due to scheduling conflicts. UConn and North Carolina will take the court in Fort Worth, Texas, with ESPN broadcasting the matchup. Tiffany Greene will handle play-by-play, joined by color commentator Carolyn Peck and rules analyst Dee Kantner. UConn is poised to break the program’s single-season assist record, needing just 10 more dimes to surpass the 2016-17 squad. The Huskies’ star, Sarah Strong, faces a local rival in North Carolina, as she admitted to a strong connection with UNC coach Courtney Banghart. Despite her ties to Durham, N.C., Strong chose UConn for its opportunities and support. North Carolina presents a formidable challenge, ranked No. 12 in adjusted efficiency rankings, the highest-rated opponent UConn has faced since November. The Tar Heels excel defensively, holding teams to 36.5% shooting and outrebounding opponents. Offensively, they rank No. 20 in effective field goal percentage, with six players averaging at least 8.5 points per game.#north_carolina #sarah_strong #fort_worth #uconn_womens_basketball #courtney_banghart
No. 1 UConn Women’s Basketball Faces No. 4 North Carolina in NCAA Sweet 16 For the first time in four years, UConn women’s basketball will compete in the NCAA Sweet 16 just one time zone away from its home state instead of two. The No. 1 overall seed Huskies will take on No. 4 North Carolina Friday evening in Fort Worth, Texas, in a matchup that marks their third consecutive season against the Tar Heels. The game will be broadcast live at 5 p.m. ET, with coverage available on UConn Sports Network and various radio stations. UConn, which has reached the Sweet 16 32 straight years, aims to extend its streak of consecutive Elite Eight appearances to three and secure its 30th overall trip to the round of eight. The Huskies are 29-3 all-time in the Sweet 16, with their most recent loss coming to Ohio State in the 2023 regional semifinal. A victory would set up a potential Elite Eight clash against the winner of the Notre Dame-Vanderbilt matchup, with the winner advancing to the Final Four in Phoenix. The Huskies’ path to the Sweet 16 included a dominant 98-45 win over No. 9 Syracuse, where Azzi Fudd led the charge with a career-high tying 34 points, including eight 3-pointers. Fudd’s performance earned her a spot among the top four finalists for the Naismith Player of the Year award, while teammate Sarah Strong was also a top four finalist for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year. Fudd is 20 points away from moving into the top 20 on UConn’s all-time scoring list and is closing in on the school’s single-season 3-point record. UConn’s history against North Carolina is marked by high-stakes encounters. The teams last met on Nov. 15, 2024, in Greensboro, where Geno Auriemma secured his 1,216th career win by defeating the Tar Heels 69-58. UNC’s last victory over UConn came on Jan.#north_carolina #azzi_fudd #geno_auriemma #uconn_womens_basketball #courtney_banhart
