The Virginia women's basketball team (18-6, 6-2 ACC)looks to take its hot streak to the next notch against No. 3 North Carolina tonight at 7 at John Paul Jones Arena.
According to coach Debbie Ryan, the upcoming contest against the Tar Heels (22-2, 9-0 ACC)could allow Virginia to confirm the strength and talent of its team.
"Definitely we need a signature win," Ryan said, "We have had some real close calls. It's time for us to get over the hump. I think that's what we're really shooting for and we're primed for at this point. We've got to take care of business and we've got to get it done."
Sophomore guard Monica Wright said tonight's contest could be the signature win the team is looking for, but is not underestimating North Carolina.
"We're definitely focused right now and we have confidence," she said, "They're a great team. There's no question about that."
Offensively, the two teams are very evenly matched. The top three scorers for each team come into the game averaging almost the same number of points per game -- Wright, Virginia's leading scorer is averaging 16.9 points, while North Carolina's junior forward Rashanda McCants averages 15.9.Virginia's next two leading scorers, juniors Lyndra Littles and Aisha Mohammed, average 15.8 and 12.5 points, respectively, and will face-off against UNC's next leading scorers, seniors LaToya Pringle and Erlana Larkins, who are averaging 13.6 and 12.3 points, respectively.
With such a tight offensive matchup, Wright noted that defense will be vital to secure Virginia's win.
"They have so many different threats offensively," she said. "Defense is going to be very key. I feel like we have a good chance to match up with them."
Coach Ryan agreed that the two teams match up well but maintained that this game will be won or lost on rebounding strength.
"They're an extremely good rebounding team.," she said. "That's the one area of our game that is going to have to be a whole lot better if we're going to be even in the game with them."
Ryan is anticipating not just this rebound furor but an extremely fast-paced game, noting that the Cavaliers must keep up with the Tar Heels in order to win.
"They run the floor well," Ryan said. "They try to get 100 possessions. You have to counter what they do a little bit, but I am going to be more focused on us than I am on them."
That focus will hopefully turn out some results for the Virginia women, who currently sit fourth in the ACC basketball standings behind North Carolina, Maryland and Duke. The Cavaliers have won 12 of their last 14, but have not defeated the Tar Heels since 2003, losing the last 10 contests between the two schools, including a 96-62 loss last season.
The last time out, the Cavaliers handily defeated Florida State, winning by 19 points in Charlottesville last Sunday. It was an important win to get Virginia back on track after losing to Maryland in College Park just two days before, snapping a four-game win streak. North Carolina enters the game undefeated in ACC play and riding a five-game win streak following a 14-point victory at Georgia Tech. Wright, however, is not intimidated by the record UNC has put up so far this season. Looking at tonight's match-up Wright said, "In some areas they are better, but I feel like with the basketball we have been playing lately, there is no team that is better than us"
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