Though coach Sylvia Hatchell said she would not make excuses for North Carolina holding the fifth spot in the ACC, it’s hard to overlook the way the Tar Heels have made do without a consistent lineup all season.
Ten Tar Heels have missed time and they have played with as few as six healthy players.
UNC (18-8, 8-5 ACC) handled the Wolfpack (15-11, 4-8) in Raleigh Jan. 22, but Hatchell said that when the Tar Heels and N.C. State face off, home-court advantage doesn’t always determine the victor.
With most players at full strength, Hatchell said she anticipates a physical battle when the Tar Heels play N.C. State Sunday in Chapel Hill.
“The most consistent thing is that (the rivalry) hasn’t been consistent,” she said. “Rankings don’t really matter.”
Blemishes on UNC’s record, such as home losses against Georgia Tech and ACC cellar-dweller Clemson, keep the Tar Heels’ postseason outlook uncertain.
But senior She’la White sees the Tar Heels’ unpredictable roster as an advantage. UNC has seven players with more than 10 starts.
“You never know who’s going to step up, or who you’re going to have to shut down,” White said. “You just never know, and I think that’s difficult for other teams to handle.”
White returned to the floor after missing time during ACC play with an ankle injury, which she said is now 90 percent.