Courtney Banghart Keeps Rigor In Mind With UNC Women’s Basketball’s Non-Conference Schedule

Courtney Banghart Keeps Rigor In Mind With UNC Women’s Basketball’s Non-Conference Schedule

 

 

Chapel Hill, N.C. — August 6, 2025 — With the 2025-26 college basketball season on the horizon, UNC Women’s Basketball head coach Courtney Banghart is once again proving that she’s not afraid to challenge her team early. The Tar Heels’ non-conference schedule, released this week, reflects Banghart’s commitment to rigor, featuring a slate of nationally respected programs, tough road environments, and high-stakes matchups designed to test her squad from day one.

“We don’t believe in easing into the season,” Banghart said in a statement. “Our non-conference schedule is built to expose us to different styles of play, push us to adapt, and prepare us for the intensity of the ACC.”

The Tar Heels will face at least five teams projected to be in NCAA Tournament contention, including a marquee showdown against defending national champions South Carolina, a trip to the always-hostile Cameron Indoor Stadium for a neutral-site battle against Tennessee, and a home game against Big Ten powerhouse Maryland.

UNC will also travel west to compete in the annual Maui Invitational Women’s Showcase, where they’ll meet a talented Oregon State team before potentially facing the winner of Louisville vs. Arizona. These matchups offer not just early-season résumé builders, but invaluable experience for a team with championship aspirations.

Banghart, entering her sixth year at the helm in Chapel Hill, has consistently emphasized growth through adversity. That philosophy has shaped the Tar Heels’ rise back into national relevance. Last season, UNC finished with a 24-9 record and reached the Sweet 16, thanks in large part to lessons learned in a similarly demanding early schedule.

“Coach Banghart always talks about how pressure is a privilege,” said senior guard Indya Nivar. “We know that to be the best, we’ve got to play the best. That’s what these games are all about.”

The non-conference lineup also includes mid-major threats like Princeton — Banghart’s former team — and Florida Gulf Coast, both known for disciplined, three-point-heavy attacks that could challenge UNC’s perimeter defense. The variety of opponents is no accident.

“This schedule forces us to be versatile,” Banghart said. “One night we’ll need to lock down in the paint, the next we’ll be guarding five shooters. That’s the kind of adaptability we’ll need in March.”

In addition to competitive value, the rigorous non-conference slate also serves to sharpen UNC’s national profile. Strength of schedule plays a critical role in NCAA seeding, and Banghart is clearly aiming for more than just a tournament berth.

With a veteran-led roster that includes Nivar, junior forward Teonni Key, and breakout sophomore Zaniah Wynn, the Tar Heels are poised to turn early-season battles into long-term success.

“It’s not supposed to be easy,” Banghart said. “We want to be in the conversation as one of the best teams in the country, and that starts now.”

UNC opens its season at home against in-state rival Appalachian State on November 6 before diving into the heart of its challenging non-conference run.