The start day for NCAA basketball is November 25th. Many teams will continue to dominate once the season starts and many teams will shock fans. Inspired by @wslam on Instagram, in overtime the Carolinas have become a basketball powerhouse, even on the women’s side. From the University of South Carolina to Duke University, University of North Carolina, and North Carolina State University, the talent is undeniable. Let us take a look at The Carolinas: A College Basketball Powerhouse.
Duke University
Duke University, a private university, located in Durham, North Carolina. Blue Devils have become a huge basketball powerhouse for both the men’s and women’s teams. The women’s team during the offseason hired former Boston Celtics Assistant Coach and WNBA player, Kara Lawson. During the 2019-20 season, the Blue Devils had key wins over rival teams such as NC State, Florida State, and UNC. They finished with a record of 18-12.
One freshman, Vanessa de Jesus, ranked 37th overall by espnW for 2020 will be joining the Blue Devils. They will have many key returners such as senior Jade Williams, a 2020 Lisa Leslie Award Candidate, as well as senior guard Mikayla Boykin. As well as many other players coming off injuries that will be key in Duke’s gameplay. Duke is a huge part of The Carolinas: A College Basketball Powerhouse. Many people should be excited for the Blue Devil’s first season under HC Kara Lawson.
November vibes 🔵😈🏀 pic.twitter.com/h7qxUHP6sa
— Duke Women’s Basketball (@DukeWBB) November 1, 2020
NC State University
North Carolina State University is located in Raleigh, NC. The Wolfpack has been establishing a talented women’s basketball program under HC Wes Moore. NC State won the ACC tournament championship and was an anticipated top seed for the NCAA tournament before the cancellation. The Pack’s 14 conference wins during the 19-20 season breaks the record for the most conference wins in a single season in program history. They finished 28-4 overall.
The Pack will have key returners such as Elissa Cunane that will help bring leadership to the team. Cunane had many honors during her sophomore seasons such as Lisa Leslie Award Finalist, All-ACC first team, and more. NC State has three incoming freshmen that will only add to the team’s talented roster. NC State has been laying low on some people’s radars but fans should not be surprised when they have a successful season. The Pack is a huge part of The Carolinas: A College Basketball Powerhouse and is only continuing to improve.
The ultimate #MondayMotivation. We’re hungry for more.#GoPack // #WeWin pic.twitter.com/wnNwwQhjBE
— #8 NC State WBB 🐺🏀 (@PackWomensBball) October 19, 2020
University of North Carolina
The University of North Carolina is located in Chapel Hill, NC. UNC is one of the many schools that make up the powerhouse of basketball. This will be the Tarheel’s second season under HC Courtney Banghart. The Tarheels finished 16-14 this past season with an 8-0 start which is the best start since 2015. They had a great season with key wins over ACC rivals over NC State and Clemson. This team has the potential to have a great 2020-21 overall and in a tough conference like the ACC.
UNC has quite a young team with four freshmen and three sophomores. Some may say this program is in the “rebuilding” stage, but still has the talent and the potential for great success. A huge returner will be graduate senior guard Stephanie Watts. She averaged 15.2 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 3.1 APG, and has a great three-point shot. Another player that is joining the Tarheels is graduated senior guard from Ilinois, Petra Holešínská. She averaged 12.6 PPG and was apart of the All-Big Ten. UNC is a huge part of The Carolinas: A College Basketball Powerhouse and will continue to improve.
Work 👣#InPursuit #GoHeels pic.twitter.com/gArhapW9YB
— Carolina Women’s Basketball (@uncwbb) November 7, 2020
University of South Carolina
Now onto the other South Carolina, the University of South Carolina located in Columbia, SC. UofSC was the No.1 overall seed before the rest of the postseason was canceled. The Gamecocks won both the SEC regular-season and tournament championships. Under former WNBA player and head USA Basketball coach, HC Dawn Staley has been huge for this program. The Gamecocks won their first national championship in 2017 and were a huge contestant for the 2020 NCAA tournament.
The Gamecocks finished 32-1 last season with the help of their talented freshman class. Aliyah Boston, now a sophomore, earned the National Freshman of the Year, Lisa Leslie Award, and the SEC Freshman and Defensive Player of the Year. One freshman will be joining this already talented team, Eniya Russell. Russell is ranked 43rd overall for the class of 2020 by ESPN. The Gamecocks only lost two starters due to graduation but will be returning three starters who are all sophomores. The Gamecocks will continue to dominate in the SEC. South Carolina is a huge part of The Carolinas: A College Basketball Powerhouse and will continue to be for years to come.
No caption required 📸@_Theblackqueen_ @QueenBrea_1 @dh3so3hd @0livia_Th0mps0n pic.twitter.com/tTSWaaVJS8
— GamecockWBB (@GamecockWBB) October 29, 2020
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I look forward to your articles. You have an awesome future!
I enjoyed reading this entire article. It took me back to earlier years. I grew up in NC & naturally became a fan of “Tobacco Road”. Living now
In SC, I’ve continued to support the NC teams, but have added the SC teams to my list of favorites. Your article says it all, the Carolina’s are a powerhouse!
I am a women’s basketball junkie! I have followed UT LadyVols for30 years. You are correct Ms. the Carolines are Strong with the Force. I love that UCONN is not the first thing out of anyone’s mouth right now. However, Paige Buecker is a force. I have followed Coach Kellie H for 10 years .. she is going to be a force, just like the late great PHS .. take my word.