Honestly, if you haven’t been paying attention to what Courtney Banghart is building in Chapel Hill, you're missing out on one of the most fascinating projects in college hoops. The university of north carolina women's basketball schedule for the 2025-26 season isn't just a list of dates. It's basically a gauntlet designed to turn a talented, "new-look" roster into a group that can actually survive the second weekend of the NCAA tournament.
We aren't talking about a couple of easy wins to start the year. Coach Banghart, who’s now in her seventh year at the helm, seems to have a specific philosophy this time around: find the toughest teams in the country and play them early. It's a "sink or swim" vibe. After a 2024-25 season where the Tar Heels finished 29-8—their best record in over a decade—the expectations have shifted from "hope to compete" to "expect to win."
The Non-Conference Gauntlet: No Easy Outs
The early part of the university of north carolina women's basketball schedule was intentionally brutal. I mean, look at the November and December stretch. They didn't just stay in North Carolina; they went to Las Vegas, Cancun, and Texas.
- The WBCA Challenge (Las Vegas): UNC ran into No. 3 UCLA on November 13. It was a 78-60 loss, but seeing Elina Aarnisalo—the UCLA transfer now playing for the Heels—go up against her former team was high drama.
- The Cancun Challenge: This was the turning point. Three wins in three days in Mexico against South Dakota State, Kansas State, and Columbia. You saw the chemistry finally start to click there.
- ACC-SEC Challenge: A tough 79-64 loss at No. 4 Texas on December 4. Madison Booker is a nightmare to defend, but UNC’s Indya Nivar proved she’s one of the best perimeter defenders in the country by sticking to her like glue.
The rest of the non-conference schedule was mostly about holding serve at Carmichael Arena. They handled business against teams like Boston University (82-40) and UNCW (84-34). But these games were less about the score and more about getting minutes for the freshmen like Taliyah Henderson and Blanca Thomas.
💡 You might also like: What Channel is Champions League on: Where to Watch Every Game in 2026
ACC Play: The Sunday Showdowns
Now that we’re deep into the heart of the conference slate, the university of north carolina women's basketball schedule gets even more intense. The ACC is a meat grinder this year. You’ve got Duke, NC State, and Notre Dame all looking like Final Four contenders.
One thing most people don't realize? The ACC now has 18 conference games per school. That means fewer breathers and more high-stakes Sunday afternoons on ESPN or the ACC Network.
Upcoming Games You Can't Miss:
📖 Related: Eastern Conference Finals 2024: What Most People Get Wrong
- January 18 at Florida State (2 PM, CW): This is a classic "trap" game. FSU plays fast and loose. If Carolina isn't ready for the track meet in Tallahassee, things could get ugly.
- February 2 at NC State (6 PM, ESPN2): It’s a Monday night in Raleigh. The Reynolds Coliseum crowd is basically a wall of sound. This is the first of the big rivalry games that will likely decide seeding for the ACC Tournament.
- February 15 at Duke (1 PM, ABC): The Tobacco Road rivalry on national TV. Enough said.
- March 1 vs. Duke (12 PM, ESPN): The regular-season finale at home in Carmichael. This is Senior Day for Indya Nivar and Nyla Harris, and the atmosphere is going to be electric.
How to Actually Watch the Games
Look, finding where the games are streaming is kinda a headache lately. Between the ACC Network, ESPN2, The CW, and FloCollege, you basically need a spreadsheet.
If you’re trying to follow the university of north carolina women's basketball schedule from home, your best bet is having a TV provider that carries the ACC Network (ACCN). Most of the mid-week home games live there or on ACCNX (the digital overflow). For the big weekend matchups, keep an eye on ESPN and even ABC. If you're a cord-cutter, YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV are the most reliable options, though you’ll need a FloCollege subscription if they play in any more international tournaments next year.
Why This Roster Fits the Schedule
The reason this schedule works—even the losses—is the depth. Last year, if one or two players had an off night, it was over. This year, the roster is built differently.
👉 See also: Texas vs Oklahoma Football Game: Why the Red River Rivalry is Getting Even Weirder
- The Vets: Indya Nivar and Nyla Harris provide the backbone. They've seen everything the ACC can throw at them.
- The Newcomers: Elina Aarnisalo (the UCLA transfer) has been the spark plug they needed at guard.
- The Size: Blanca Thomas, at 6'5", gives them a rim protector they simply haven't had in years.
Honestly, the January 11 loss to Notre Dame (73-50) was a reality check. It showed that while the Heels are good, they aren't quite at that "elite" tier yet. But that's why you play a schedule this hard. You want to see the cracks in January so you can fix them by March.
What’s Next for the Tar Heels?
As we move toward the ACC Tournament in Greensboro, the focus is all on consistency. They’ve shown they can beat ranked teams (like the win over Kansas State in Cancun), but can they do it on a Thursday night in Blacksburg or Syracuse?
If you're planning to follow the rest of the university of north carolina women's basketball schedule, keep a close eye on the "In Pursuit" series on YouTube. It gives a really raw, behind-the-scenes look at how the team handles these road trips and the pressure of the Tobacco Road rivalry.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Sync your calendar: Go to the official GoHeels website and download the schedule directly to your phone. It updates automatically for TV time changes.
- Check the secondary market: If you want to see the March 1st game against Duke at Carmichael, buy tickets now. Senior Day against the Blue Devils is always a sell-out, and prices only go up as the date nears.
- Watch the tape: If you missed the Cancun Challenge games, find the highlights. That’s the version of this team that can make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.