Both No. 2 UConn and No. 14 North Carolina are entering Friday’s matchup undefeated. Neither team has truly been tested yet, with the Huskies sitting at 2-0 and the Tar Heels breezing through their first three games. Now they’ll be playing in a ranked matchup (6 p.m. ET, ESPN2), and someone will earn their first loss of the season.
Here is the path to victory for both teams:
How UConn can win
As the second-highest ranked team in the nation, the Huskies will be favored, even on the road.
With UConn only having played teams well below their talent level, it’s hard to use what’s happened as an example of how they’ll play against top teams. Still, early on, it’s been all about Paige Bueckers. The senior guard is averaging 17.5 points and four assists and is the catalyst for everything UConn wants to do.
Guard Ashlynn Shade also has been impressive. She’s having a nice start to her sophomore season, averaging 12.5 points and four steals per game. The Huskies also might receive an extra boost from Azzi Fudd, as the senior guard could make her season debut on Friday. If the backcourt can stay productive and redshirt freshman center Jana El Alfy and freshman forward Sarah Strong can hold down the frontcourt, UConn’s victory on Friday could be smooth.
That victory also would be…
