ANTONELLI: UNC vs. NC State Preview
TheACC.com columnist breaks down this season's first ACC women's basketball television game.



Dec. 31, 1999

By Debbie Antonelli

Our first ACC women's basketball tv game of the season features #9 North Carolina hosting #4 NC State on January 3 in Chapel Hill. The two preseason favorites at #1 and # 2 respectively and the only top 10 teams in the ACC at this time. What a way to get things started in the league tv package. Let's break it down... here's what I'm looking for.

  • It goes without saying, the UNC/NCSU rivalry in any sport brings out the best in each team. NCSU comes into the game undefeated and UNC's two losses to top 10 teams makes this game important in the league standing. Both teams being in the top 10 brings more to this game than just bragging rights! Carolina has 5 players averaging in double figures and State has 3. If you like offense, these teams score with great balance.

  • NC State goes with 6'6 Summer Erb and 6'4 Kaayla Chones on the frontline and UNC has 5'11 LaQuanda Barksdale and 6'0 Jackie Higgins up front. Watch for the matchup in the paint with the size differential. NC State has the size and UNC has the quickness. Barksdale and Higgins combine for the best rebounding tandem in the league and UNC has the smallest front line in the league. The Heels crash the boards and rebounding will be an important stat for controlling the tempo of the game. Both teams like to run.

  • Not only are Nikki Teasley of the Heels and Tyneshia Lewis of the Pack two of the best guards in the league, they are two of the best juniors in the country at their position. Both can score beyond the arc and in traffic. Both players are working harder to get to the free throw line. Both are important leaders in the locker room and on the court and you talk about competitive... Nikki and Tyneshia compete and bring a little flash, flair and personality to the game. Nikki led the ACC in steals and assists last year and leads the ACC in assists at this time

  • Freshman point guards can drive coaches crazy. Not in Raleigh and Chapel Hill! Several teams on the men's side of the ACC are surviving with freshman point guards and NCSU and UNC are more than surviving, they are thriving. NCSU relies on the playmaking ability of Terah James and it is Coretta Brown for the Heels. Terah James in fourth in the league in assists.

  • NC State playing with seven freshman is not a big deal anymore or is it? Now they are going on the road in league play for a big game. My bet is they will show the focus and maturity it took to be undefeated and be the fourth best team in the nation at this point.

  • UNC plays what I call a high risk yet high reward type of defense. They like to press, trap, run and jump and double. Try to get you up tempo and turn you over in the live ball situation. You have to prepare for a lot when you play Sylvia Hatchell's teams because you know all that stuff is coming, you just don't know when. Kay Yow is a terrific preparation coach and this will be a big test for both teams.

  • Can UNC neutralize Summer Erb? Carolina may have trouble in the half court if they let Summer get to the block. It is very difficult to guard 6'6 Erb, last year's ACC Player of the Year who has excellent basketball skill. She has good hands, footwork and a great shooting touch around the basket. I have noticed in games and tapes that NC State likes to use Summer as a receiver to relieve full court pressure. Keeping in mind the 30 second clock and Summer being NC State's first option, using Summer in this capacity could limit the number of touches she gets where she can be an offensive threat. It could play into North Carolina's style of making this a baseline to baseline game and could be one way to contain Summer Erb inside the paint.

    Next week, I'll preview Maryland at NC State (Jan 9) and Clemson at UNC (Jan 10). Thanks for checking out my thoughts on the game. Catch you next time, and remember to check out ACC women's hoops in your area!