Change is Needed

SeaPinesHeel

Senior
Aug 23, 2025
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870
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good for you for contributing so much you have sway like that in the AD. I am not in that class.

My instinct is to give her one more year and see what she does with Harpring and what should be a pretty talented surrounding team, but I get that's not a one sided thing
anyone contributing to NIL or the Rams Club pays the salaries of the players. A lot of us are in the boat. We could use your help!

and talent is certainly not the issue with this team, thats for sure. and as good as a player that Kate seems to be, I don't know if even she can overcome incompetent coaching
 

CCHeel1

Senior
Jul 3, 2025
300
495
63
I sincerely hope that Harpring doesn't reconsider, especially if things go south during the season. Although she has signed, it wouldn't be the first time someone asked to be released from their LOI. The Harprings seem like a great family who were very careful about Kate's decision, so it's not likely but it concerns me.
 

3397char

All-Conference
Moderator
Jun 30, 2025
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They were also considered to be young last season because most of the reserves were freshman despite starting two super seniors, a four year senior and a junior. I know they wouldn't be considered to be veteran team if the four of the starters were freshmen and the reserves were mostly made up of juniors and seniors.
I don't remember anyone referring to last year's team as young, other than one or two in discussing why some reserves did not play more (they were young/inexperienced). Or talking about other individuals, like Grant who was 17 for the entire season. But if their were people labelling the team young as a whole, they were clearly wrong.

This year's team is young. That is an objective fact based on math. Whether or not you think that is worthy of consideration versus excuse-making is certainly debatable.
 

3397char

All-Conference
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Jun 30, 2025
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I never said they should be fired now. Serious conversations need to be had at the end of the season unless major improvement is made. We are heading for the bubble or worse. We are going to lose 10 games or more.

Most concerning is the lack of program improvement during her tenure. Recruiting is the only thing going decent.
I will take the "bet" on us losing 10 games or more prior to Selection Sunday.
 

3397char

All-Conference
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Jun 30, 2025
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Here is AI's analysis. Agree, disagree?

Here are the main tactical and strategic criticisms that have consistently come up regarding Courtney Banghart’s coaching at UNC. These are drawn from media analysis, fan discussions, and common talking points around the program.


Offensive System Criticisms
• Lack of consistent offensive identity
UNC often goes long stretches without scoring, and the offense can look stagnant when guards struggle to create. Critics argue the team doesn’t have a clear, repeatable system that generates easy baskets.


• Too isolation‑heavy
A common complaint is that possessions devolve into 1‑on‑1 play, especially late in games. When primary scorers are shut down, UNC struggles to find alternative creation sources.


• Limited use of the post
Despite having capable forwards, UNC’s offense under Banghart often leans perimeter-heavy. Fans often say the team does not feed the post enough or use bigs as playmaking hubs.


• Slow pace
Her Princeton roots emphasize ball movement and spacing, but the pace at UNC has often been slower than expected for ACC play. Some argue this limits transition opportunities and easy scoring.


Roster and Rotation Criticisms
• Short rotations
Banghart frequently plays heavy minutes for starters while giving limited time to bench players. Critics say this contributes to fatigue and limits development of depth.


• Inconsistent lineups
There have been stretches where the rotation seems to shift unpredictably, leading to questions about roles and chemistry.


• Underutilization of certain players
Some talented recruits and transfers have not played major roles, feeding the narrative that Banghart’s system fits a narrower type of player.


In-Game Management Criticisms
• Late‑game execution issues
UNC has lost several close games where late possessions were disorganized, reinforcing concerns about timeout usage and play design under pressure.


• Slow adjustments
Fans often note that it takes too long for UNC to adjust when opponents change defensive looks (zone, traps, switching schemes). This is one of the most frequently mentioned critiques.


• Timeout timing
Some argue she occasionally waits too long to stop runs, especially when momentum swings on the road.


Defensive System Criticisms
• Overreliance on individual defense
UNC typically plays solid man-to-man defense, but there’s criticism that the team doesn’t mix defenses enough to disrupt elite offenses.


• Rebounding lapses
Despite having good athletes and size, UNC has had issues finishing possessions, especially against more physical ACC teams. Critics connect this to boxing‑out discipline and positioning.


Player Development Criticisms
• Guard development inconsistencies
UNC has had talented guards, but fan sentiment is that few have taken major leaps year over year.


• Lack of a true point guard pipeline
This has been a multi-year concern: the offense has often operated without a traditional point guard running the show.


Summary of the Biggest Tactical Criticisms

  1. Offense lacks identity and becomes stagnant.
  2. Late-game execution and adjustments are inconsistent.
  3. Rotations are tight, limiting depth and development.
  4. Offensive schemes do not consistently leverage the team’s size or versatility.
I cant believe I am responding to an AI post, but some of these are clearly wrong, For example, last season UNC was second in the conference in minutes played by reserves and is #1 currently this season.

There are many criticisms here that are certainly valid. Of course, most of this list is what any fanbase would say about their own coach when griping.

More generally, where do you think AI sourced this information? As in where was AI able to mine any in-depth analysis on UNC WBB's style of play over time. My bet is that this is mostly just a regurgitation on what posters have said on this board and 247. You are not going to find much of this type of opinion anywhere else that I can think of.

And finally, you clearly phrased your question to seek the outcome you wanted: criticisms only. This is a pitfall of doing "research" with AI: it is designed to give you the answer your want.
 

ZinfanHeel

Sophomore
Aug 30, 2025
53
176
33
Keep in mind that this team won 29 games last year, and almost certainly would have won 30+ if everyone had stayed healthy. We played Virginia without Kelly or Ustby. We reached the Sweet 16. Last time I checked that was quality basketball.

Who I wonder was the HC last year?

We played poorly against ND. Hidalgo played great against us - if you don't mind a lot of one-on-one play. There's a reason why someone is a 2X All-ACC and All American.

Team chemistry is a difficult factor to negotiate. Without Ustby or Gakdeng as natural leaders, this current team may still be searching for an identity. Let's give them a few more games to see. Courtney Banghart is not a fool and she can see that there's a problem.
 

kyleheel30

All-Conference
Sep 4, 2019
2,395
4,110
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I will take the "bet" on us losing 10 games or more prior to Selection Sunday.
What makes you think that? The schedule isn't that difficult but the way they playing I dont see them beating dook (who whipped the same ND team that destroyed us) thats 2 losses. NC State is a loss. At VT and UVA is likely a split but could be 2 losses. At GT won't be easy they are playing better. Syracuse will be tricky. Miami will be tough.
 

SeaPinesHeel

Senior
Aug 23, 2025
466
870
93
What makes you think that? The schedule isn't that difficult but the way they playing I dont see them beating dook (who whipped the same ND team that destroyed us) thats 2 losses. NC State is a loss. At VT and UVA is likely a split but could be 2 losses. At GT won't be easy they are playing better. Syracuse will be tricky. Miami will be tough.
I don't necessarily think the fack is a loss
 
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3397char

All-Conference
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Jun 30, 2025
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What makes you think that? The schedule isn't that difficult but the way they playing I dont see them beating dook (who whipped the same ND team that destroyed us) thats 2 losses. NC State is a loss. At VT and UVA is likely a split but could be 2 losses. At GT won't be easy they are playing better. Syracuse will be tricky. Miami will be tough.
The loss to #23 ND was a disaster in the way that it happened: tough blowout. Not good at all.

But other than that, we have lost to #2 UCLA, #4 UCLA, #11 Louisville in OT, #35 Stanford in OT.

I am not going to redefine what I think this team is based on the last two games (especially the last one.) Could the wheels fall off as you are predicting? Absolutely.

But my eyes tell me this is a top 25 team still and we will play accordingly. I think we have already played the best 3 teams in the ACC this year, though it is really hard to read dook. No I do not think we will sweep the season by any means, but I think the over/under now is 3 more losses in the regular season plus assume 1 more in the ACCT.
 

HeelOne

Sophomore
Jul 31, 2025
59
103
33
Most of this criticism is fair. The recruiting level CB is at should be resulting in Sweet 16 at a minimum with occasional deeper runs. IMO, this year, as in the recent past, they don’t have that alpha go to player/s to get buckets in the clutch or when things break down. Kelly, Utsby, and Nivar were/are being asked to do that and that’s just not who they are.
I feel like coach needs to turn the young girls loose. Brooks and Henderson need to learn how to swim by being thrown into the deep end. Enjoy the highs and live with the lows this season. When things go off the rails insert the more experienced girls to hopefully settle things. Rinse and repeat.
 
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