Title: “ACC Power Surge: Courtney Banghart and Guard Alyssa Ustby Catalyze UNC’s Final Four Breakthrough”
CHAPEL HILL, NC — March 31, 2026
In a season defined by grit and resurgence, North Carolina women’s basketball, under the bold leadership of head coach Courtney Banghart, has stormed into the Final Four with star point guard Alyssa Ustby at the center of an emotional, historic run.
Banghart, in her sixth year as head coach, transformed the Tar Heels into an ACC powerhouse, blending steely defense, deep rotations, and unapologetic confidence. After a hard-fought ACC Tournament semifinal loss to NC State, UNC responded not with doubt, but with determination.
🔥 The Rise of the Tar Heel Revival
Despite early skepticism following the graduation of stalwarts Alyssa Ustby and Lexi Donarski, Banghart’s offseason recruiting and transfer work paid off. Freshman phenom Nyla Brooks joined veteran guard Reniya Kelly, along with the return of Donarski and the return of Ustby for a fifth and final season — forming a nucleus rich in talent and experience .
Led by Ustby — now UNC’s all-time leading rebounder and a two-time All-ACC First Team selectee — the Heels surged through the NCAA Tournament, combining smothering defense with efficient perimeter execution. Their average margin of victory in the tournament, an eye-opening 16 points, showcased their dominance on both ends of the court.
🎯 Alyssa Ustby: The Heart of the Run
Every game had Ustby at its emotional center. In Round 1, she grabbed 18 rebounds and dropped clutch free throws to seal a win. In the Sweet Sixteen, she eclipsed the milestone of 1,269 career rebounds, surpassing UNC’s program record and moving into the top three in ACC history .
But it was her leadership that resonated most — pushing teammates like Brooks and Kelly to step up, diving headfirst into screens, and locking onto opposing wings on every possession.
🛡️ Banghart’s Blueprint: Defense Meets Discipline
Coach Courtney Banghart stamped her system on Chapel Hill with hands-down excellence. UNC finished the season holding opponents to under 65 points per game in ACC play and leading the league in rebounding and defensive rebounding percentage . Her philosophy: pressure early, crash boards relentlessly, and share the ball with purpose.
After a regular season in which the Tar Heels posted 29 wins — their highest total since 2013 — Banghart’s charges entered the NCAA Tournament as a No. 3 seed hosting early rounds at Carmichael Arena for the first time in a decade .
🎭 A Team United
UNC’s locker room radiated unity. Reniya Kelly took over perimeter playmaking, Freshman Alyssa Ustby and Brooks swapped defensive assignments with confidence, and Lexi Donarski’s veteran presence knocked down pivotal threes. Even amidst speculation about departures and roster turnover, the team remained a tight-knit circuit of trust and tenacity.
Banghart’s message was clear: “This team isn’t about stars — it’s about strangers who learned to fight as sisters.”
🔮 Looking Ahead
With the Final Four looming, and ACC Championship aura under their belt, UNC now stands on the cusp of its first national championship game since 2007. Analysts from ESPN to local fans credit Banghart’s leadership and Ustby’s decade-long grind for providing the fuel needed for this rise .
As Ustby prepares to pass the torch, Banghart is ready with the next wave: Nyla Brooks, Taliyah Henderson, and an influx of transfers and signees poised to carry the program forward.
🏆 Final Thought
In the heart of the ACC, where powerhouses battle for every inch, North Carolina’s women’s basketball team has redefined what resilience means.
With Courtney Banghart at the helm, and Alyssa Ustby leading the charge, the Tar Heels haven’t just reached the Final Four — they’ve re-established themselves as a central force in women’s college basketball.
And in the heart of Chapel Hill, a new chapter is just beginning.
