Carolina will host NCAA Tournament action at Carmichael Arena for the second consecutive season this weekend. And it all begins for the No. 4 seed Tar Heels with a matchup against No. 13 seed Western Illinois Friday. The Leathernecks enter the tournament with a 26-5 overall record and won the Ohio Valley Conference championship.
Here’s more on UNC’s first round opponent:
Head coach: J.D. Gravina is a Western Illinois program staple. The 2025-26 season is his 15th in charge of the Leathernecks, and during that time he’s led the team to two of its three all-time NCAA Tournament appearances. Prior to his arrival at WIU, Gravina had a successful tenure at Division 2 Quincy University, where his team appeared in three NCAA Tournaments in four seasons. Gravina’s 26 wins this season with the Leathernecks tie a program record, and his five losses are the fewest in a single season in program history.
What’s the history? UNC and Western Illinois have actually met in the NCAA Tournament before. The Leathernecks made their first ever tournament appearance in 1995, and that appearance came in Chapel Hill against No. 3 seed Carolina. The Tar Heels won that game 89-48 on their way to the Sweet 16.
Player to watch: Mia Nicastro is the most prolific scorer in the Ohio Valley Conference and one of the best in any league across the country. Her 24.2 points per game rank fourth among all Division 1 players; only Vanderbilt’s Mikayla Blakes, Iowa State’s Audi Crooks and Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo averaged more. Nicastro, who transferred to Western Illinois from Saint Louis prior to the 2024-25 season, is efficient on every level. She is shooting 52.2 percent from the field this season, 38.8 percent on three-pointers and 89.5 percent on free throws. In addition, her 9.9 rebounds per game are by far the most on the team.
“That’s pretty legit,” UNC head coach Courtney Banghart said of Nicastro. “Obviously, the head of the snake is making sure her effectiveness and productivity goes down from what it’s been in conference.”
Mia Nicastro’s 24.2 points per game rank fourth among all Division 1 players. (Image via Western Illinois Athletics)
Glass cleaners: Despite Nicastro’s gaudy rebounding numbers, UNC should have an advantage on the boards. Western Illinois averages 35.5 rebounds per game, which ranks in the bottom half of Division 1. UNC, meanwhile, grabs nearly 40 rebounds per game, which ranks 68th nationally. At 6-2, Nicastro is the tallest player on the Leatherneck roster and will likely be met with multiple defenders both with the ball in her hands and in the battle for rebounds. Carolina’s sizable frontcourt of Nyla Harris (6-2) and Ciera Toomey (6-4) should provide as much resistance as Nicastro has encountered all season. Together, Harris and Toomey average more than 13 rebounds per game.
Nothing easy: Western Illinois likely won’t give Carolina many opportunities in the open floor. The Leathernecks average just 11.5 turnovers per game, the ninth fewest among all Division 1 teams. That efficiency will be challenged against a Tar Heel defense which forces more than 16 turnovers per game. The ball-hawking Indya Nivar ranks second in the ACC with 2.7 steals per contest. Nivar likely won’t be matched up against Nicastro on most possessions, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility that she could help on double teams and try to rip the ball away from the Leathernecks’ leading scorer. The turnover battle will be a fascinating aspect of Friday’s game.
The charity stripe: Western Illinois ranks inside the top 40 nationally in both fewest fouls committed per game (13.6, 23rd) and most fouls drawn per game (19.5, 34th). And when the Leathernecks get to the line, they’re as good as any team in the country. Western Illinois shoots 78.4 percent on free throws, and its 16.4 makes per game are the ninth most among all Division 1 teams. Nicastro alone visits the line more than six times per game. That is one area where Western Illinois has a clear advantage, as UNC’s 69.2 free throw percentage ranks 256th in Division 1. Carolina only takes about 14 foul shots per game, which ranks 300th.
What are the odds? At the time of publication, UNC is a 25.5-point favorite in the game.
Featured image via Western Illinois Athletics
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