For the first time in history, the women’s NCAA Tournament will feature a showdown between Duke and North Carolina.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Sydney Barker, a product of Durham’s Jordan High School, grew up nestled between Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, practically within walking distance of both iconic venues: Cameron Indoor Stadium and Carmichael Arena.
Her allegiance was predetermined by her upbringing; both of her parents were UNC alumni and frequently took a young Sydney to games at Carmichael. Barker participated in summer basketball camps held by former UNC coach Sylvia Hatchell. She has witnessed the fierce rivalry between Duke and UNC across various sports, but her most memorable moment in women’s basketball was watching Paris Kea score 36 points during an overtime victory against the Blue Devils at home in 2018.
Barker has also been an active participant in this rivalry. As a freshman walk-on last season, she chose to join her beloved Tar Heels over multiple offers from mid-major programs, and she contributed significantly with a crucial 3-pointer in a 63-59 victory for UNC during the regular season finale in Chapel Hill.
However, being part of this pivotal chapter in the rivalry on such a significant stage is something Barker never envisioned.
“It feels so special,” Barker expressed to SB Nation. “Like, wow, we get to be a part of that. It’s just amazing. I can’t wait. I wish we could play today.”
Similar to their men’s basketball teams at the Final Four in 2022, the Tar Heels and Blue Devils are set to craft a new chapter in their storied rivalry in women’s basketball this Friday afternoon at Birmingham’s Legacy Arena during the Sweet 16. The winning team will advance to the Elite Eight for the first time in over a decade, with UNC last making the trip in 2014 and Duke in 2013.
For either UNC’s Courtney Banghart or Duke’s Kara Lawson, this matchup presents another chance for milestone victories. Over the past five years, both coaches have been diligently rebuilding two of the ACC’s prominent programs, located just miles apart on Tobacco Road, in pursuit of the success achieved by Wes Moore at N.C. State. This year marks the first time since 2007 that all three programs in North Carolina’s Research Triangle have reached the Sweet 16.
“Traditionally, these have been two of the heavyweights in the conference, right? That wasn’t Kara or I’s doing — we’re just responsible for it in this moment,” Banghart noted. “There have been many coaches — or in our case, one — who came before us and established the significance of these games because both teams consistently perform well. That’s what makes these rivalries so special. The Duke-Carolina rivalry transcends me or this team.”
In women’s basketball, UNC’s rivalry with N.C. State began in the mid-1970s. Following the appointment of Kay Yow as the full-time women’s basketball coach, N.C. State quickly became a formidable opponent, reaching the AIAW Tournament and later, the Sweet 16 in the 1980s when the NCAA initiated its own women’s basketball tournament. Unwilling to be outdone by their Raleigh rival, UNC developed a full-time coaching position for women’s basketball, hiring Jennifer Alley from High Point, leading the Tar Heels to four consecutive NCAA Tournaments before her resignation in 1986.
If Alley laid the foundation, then Hatchell elevated the program. She led a UNC team featuring Charlotte Smith and Marion Jones to a national championship in 1994, culminating in an iconic shot. She remains the only women’s basketball coach in the Triangle to secure a national title.
Gail Goestenkors also came close several times, as Duke became serious about women’s basketball in the 1990s, hiring her to elevate the program. Under her 15-season tenure, the Blue Devils clinched five ACC Tournaments and made four Final Fours, producing legendary players like Alana Beard.
However, all three programs faced a decline during the 2010s. At UNC, Hatchell’s inability to evolve as a coach led to her resignation amid controversy. Duke began well under Joanne P. McCallie with four consecutive Elite Eight appearances, but her tenure ended disappointingly due to recruiting misses. Following Yow’s passing in 2009, N.C. State replaced her with Kellie Harper, who was subsequently dismissed after three consecutive NCAA Tournament failures, leading to the hiring of former Yow assistant, Moore, to rejuvenate the program.
Now, all three programs are finally back among the elite in women’s basketball. Each has spent time ranked in the top 10 of the AP Top 25 Poll this season, and they are just two wins away from the Final Four.
To achieve that, Duke and North Carolina must face each other in what is expected to be a tightly contested game. Both teams boast top 10 national defensive ratings, and in their last seven encounters, the winning team has not surpassed 68 points.
“I believe it’s going to be exciting to showcase the Carolina-Duke rivalry on an even larger stage,” said UNC fifth-year forward Alyssa Ustby. “It’s always a gritty game, and it’s something that will be thrilling to present to the rest of the country.”
The anticipation surrounding Friday’s game was palpable among the Tar Heels on Thursday.
For the Blue Devils, however, the atmosphere was decidedly different.
Until a reporter informed her, Lawson claimed she was unaware it was the first NCAA Tournament meeting between Duke and UNC.
“I’m not particularly moved by it. It’s not just another game,” Lawson stated sincerely. “It’s an important game, one that offers a chance to advance beyond where we were last year, and it’s a stepping stone to position ourselves for a Final Four opportunity.”
This will be the 111th meeting between Duke and UNC, with the Tar Heels holding a narrow 56-54 advantage. In this latest chapter of the rivalry, Banghart has a 6-3 record against Lawson.
Even if Lawson is not particularly energized about this Sweet 16 matchup, her players certainly are.
“I believe I speak for everyone when I say we are all incredibly excited to face them again,” said Duke freshman Toby Fournier, the ACC Rookie of the Year. “They’re a fantastic team, highly competitive, both offensively and defensively. It’s a perfect matchup for us. We are both well-prepared, and it promises to be a thrilling game.”
This game holds special significance for UNC point guard Reniya Kelly, who grew up just under 20 miles away in Hoover, Alabama, where she set a school record with 2,272 points. Her retired No. 10 jersey now hangs in Hoover High School, where she led her team to four state championships — all on the same court where she will lead her Tar Heels against Duke this Friday.
Kelly has a 4-1 record at Legacy Arena. With friends and family in attendance, she aims to add another victory to her tally.
“I have a deep affection for this venue due to my rich history here, and the atmosphere is always electric,” Kelly shared. “The primary focus is on winning. This is a significant rivalry, and I believe the fans are going to love this matchup.”
