UNC will take on No. 6 seed West Virginia in the NCAA Tournament’s second round Monday night for the right to advance to the Sweet 16. The Mountaineers defeated No. 11 seed Columbia 78-59 in the first round Saturday and are 25-7 overall this season. They finished with a 13-5 record in the Big 12 Conference.
If you aren’t familiar with West Virginia, here’s a quick breakdown:
Head coach: Mark Kellogg. Kellogg is in his second season as head coach at West Virginia. He began his career with a successful run in Division 2, leading West Texas A&M to consecutive 30-win seasons and an appearance in the national title game in 2014. He then moved to Stephen F. Austin, where he led the Ladyjacks to the NCAA Tournament in both 2021 and 2022. Now, he’s helped West Virginia win 25 games and reach the second round of the NCAA Tournament in each of his first two seasons in Morgantown.
What’s the history? According to program records, UNC has only met West Virginia one time in women’s basketball. The Tar Heels and Mountaineers faced off on a neutral court in Harrisonburg, VA on November 17, 1979 as part of the James Madison University Tip-Off Classic. Carolina ran roughshod over West Virginia that day, winning 95-56.
Player to watch: J.J. Quinerly. A senior guard who has spent her entire career as a Mountaineer, Quinerly’s collegiate resume is a sight to behold. In four seasons, Quinerly has been named to the Big 12’s All-Freshman team, received first team All-Big 12 honors three times and earned back-to-back Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year awards. This season, Quinerly is averaging career highs in points per game (20.8), assists per game (3.2) and steals per game (3.1), all while leading the Mountaineers to the doorstep of their first Sweet 16 appearance since 1992.
West Virginia’s J.J. Quinerly is having a career-best season as a senior. (Image via West Virginia Athletics)
Stats to watch: West Virginia’s harassing defense is the team’s calling card. With Quinerly leading the way, the Mountaineers rank second in Division 1 with 13.8 steals per game. Five different players average at least one steal per game. West Virginia also ranks third in the nation in total turnovers forced per game: an eye-popping 23.75, the most of any NCAA Tournament team. The team’s turnover margin of +8.12 ranks fifth in the country and fourth among NCAA Tournament teams. Unsurprisingly, West Virginia’s defense as a whole has flourished. According to HerHoopStats, the Mountaineers rank second in the country in points allowed per 100 possessions with 77.1. Only UConn ranks higher.
The Mountaineers are skilled at getting their opponents into foul trouble. On average, West Virginia draws more than 18 fouls per game, which ranks well above average in Division 1. Its 18.5 free throw attempts per game rank 66th out of 353 teams. Carolina was forced to use a small lineup at times against Oregon State due to early foul trouble against Maria Gakdeng, during which time the Beavers took the lead. The Mountaineers don’t have the size of Oregon State, but attacking Gakdeng and getting to the foul line could be a major focus.
If the game is close in the final minutes, there could be some sweaty palms for Tar Heel fans. UNC shoots just 67 percent on free throws this season, which ranks 296th in Division 1. In contrast, West Virginia shoots 75.7 percent from the line, which ranks 54th. Three of its top eight players shoot at least 81 percent. UNC only has one such player: Reniya Kelly, who shoots 85.7 percent. The Tar Heels’ top three scorers – Gakdeng, Lexi Donarski and Alyssa Ustby – shoot 66.4 percent, 67.9 percent and 53.1 percent, respectively.
We meet again: This will be the second time head coaches Courtney Banghart and Mark Kellogg will have faced off in the NCAA Tournament. In 2022, Banghart’s No. 5 seed Tar Heels faced Kellogg’s No. 12 Stephen F. Austin Ladyjacks in the tournament’s first round. The Ladyjacks gave the Tar Heels fits, leading by as many as 10 points in the second quarter and staying in front through the fourth. UNC eventually took the lead and pulled away, but the 79-66 final score did not convey just how competitive the game was.
UNC had to forge a comeback against Mark Kellogg’s Stephen F. Austin Ladyjacks in 2022. (Image via UNC Athletic Communications/Jeffrey A. Camarati)
All or nothing: West Virginia hardly plays any close games. Of the team’s 32 games this season, only five were decided by single digits. In those games, the Mountaineers are just 1-4. Prior to a four-point win against Kansas State in the Big 12 Tournament, West Virginia’s smallest margin of victory this season was 13 points. UNC has perhaps more experience in close games than it would like, having played 12 games decided by single digits this season. The Tar Heels are 9-3 in those games. It’s clear which team has more experience in crunch time.
What are the odds? As of Sunday, UNC is a 1.5-point underdog in the game.
For more information on how to watch Monday’s game, click here.
Featured image via Associated Press/Ben McKeown
Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.
Comments on Chapelboro are moderated according to our Community Guidelines