For a second-consecutive season, the UNC women’s basketball team will be playing in the Sweet 16. This time, North Carolina will face the best squad across college basketball.
On Friday, the Tar Heels (28-7) will battle undefeated UConn at 5 p.m in Fort Worth. Anchored by Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd, the Huskies (36-0) face little challenge in their previous 36 games, even dominating ranked opponents.
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UNC is a solid, defensive-minded team which thrives on the 3-pointer. North Carolina’s depth is a strength, with 10 players averaging a minimum 10 minutes per game. Guard play is the Tar Heels’ sweet spot, with Lanie Grant (11.1 points per game), Elina Aarnisalo (10.4) and Indya Nivar (10.3) all averaging double-digits, but forward Nyla Harris (11.5 PPG, 6.9 rebounds per game) is a threat down low.
UConn won its 12th National Championship in 2025, snapping an 8-season drought without the pinnacle of college basketball. The current Huskies roster is arguably more dangerous, though – and may end this year as an all-time team.
UConn is one of the country’s best offensive teams, averaging 89.1 points per game and sitting just behind LSU. The Huskies don’t let you score either, allowing a Division I-lowest 50.3 points per game.
Defense alone will keep UNC in this game, while baskets will be hard to come by. North Carolina faces its toughest test of the Courtney Banghart area, so expect the best.
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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
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – MARCH 20: Guard Nyla Brooks #7 of the North Carolina Tar Heels brings the ball upcourt during the second half of the game against the Western Illinois Leathernecks at Carmichael Arena on March 20, 2026 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Alex Halloway/Getty Images)
UNC has to make plenty of 3-pointers.
North Carolina is tied with Notre Dame, a fellow Sweet 16 team, for the ACC lead with a 35.6 percent mark from deep.
UConn will lock the Tar Heels down, but draining lower-percentage shots will force UConn to pick its poison. UNC’s guards have to be at their best for a historic upset.
Something to Watch
Mar 26, 2026; Fort Worth, TX, USA; UConn Huskies forward Sarah Strong (21) during a practice session ahead of theÊFort Worth Regional of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Dickies Arena. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images
How dominant Sarah Strong is – and if she takes over the game early.
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Strong is arguably the best player in college basketball, leading UConn in four categories. Strong has double-digit scoring in each of her previous 36 games, so there’s no question the Huskies’ superstar will break out against UNC.
Can North Carolina do anything to hold Strong in check? It’ll be tough, but anything in the NCAA Tournament is possible.
Statistical leaders
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – MARCH 20: Guard Indya Nivar #24 of the North Carolina Tar Heels goes to the basket during the second half of the game while being defended by guard Allie Meadows #4 of the Western Illinois Leathernecks at Carmichael Arena on March 20, 2026 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Alex Halloway/Getty Images)
Points
UNC: Nyla Harris (11.5)
UConn: Sarah Strong (18.4)
Rebounds
UNC: Nyla Harris (6.9)
UConn: Sarah Strong (7.5)
Assists
UNC: Indya Nivar (3.8)
UConn: KK Arnold (4.7)
What you need to know
TarHeelsWire How to Watch
WHAT? North Carolina Tar Heels (28-7) vs. UConn Huskies (36-0)
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WHEN? Friday, March 27 at 5 p.m. ET
WHERE? Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Tex.
TV? ESPN
RADIO? SiriusXM (Channel 203)
LINE? UConn -27.5
LAST MEETING? UConn 69, UNC 58 on November 15, 2024 in Greensboro, N.C.
ALL-TIME SERIES: UConn leads, 9-4
PREDICTION? UConn 85, UNC 62
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)
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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)
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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)
March 20: vs. Western Illinois in NCAA Tournament First Round (W, 82-51)
March 22: vs. Maryland in NCAA Tournament Second Round (W, 74-66)
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC women’s basketball: Previewing NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 vs. UConn
