University of North Carolina Athletics
Women’s Basketball Opens Season No. 12 In AP Poll, No. 11 In Coaches
October 20, 2026 | Women's Basketball
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – For the third straight season, North Carolina women's basketball finds itself ranked in the top 15 in the 2026-27 Preseason AP Poll and the USA TODAY/WBCA Coaches Poll, with the Tar Heels slotted at No. 12 and No. 11 overall. It marks the fourth season under Courtney Banghart in which the Tar Heels have opened the season in the top 15.
The Tar Heels remained consistently ranked last season, peaking at No. 11 in the AP Poll as Carolina reached its second straight Sweet 16 for its third in the last five seasons.
Picked third in the Atlantic Coast Conference Preseason Poll, Carolina begins year eight of the Banghart era with a stacked non-conference slate ahead, with five NCAA Tournament teams ahead.
Eight returners from last season's squad are back, including 2025-26 All-ACC Freshman Team member Nyla Brooks. The addition of four transfers and two freshmen is set to generate energy, with Kate Harpring named to the Preseason All-ACC Freshman Team last week.
After defeating Davidson in its lone home exhibition game on Sunday, the Tar Heels travel to Maryland on Saturday, Oct. 24 for their last preseason game before regular season action. Tipoff against the Terrapins is slated for 1 p.m. ET, streaming on B1G+.
Fans can catch Saturday's stream for $8.99 through BigTenPlus.com.
The Tar Heels open the regular season on Nov. 2, traveling to Paris, France to face off against Oklahoma in the 2026 Oui-Play. Action against the Sooners is set for 2:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
Season tickets for the 2026-27 season remain on sale, For more information regarding tickets, visit goheels.com/tickets or reach out to the UNC Athletic Ticket Office at 919-926-2296 or tickets@unc.edu.
Stay up to date with the latest North Carolina women's basketball news on X at @UNCWBB, Instagram @UNCWBB and Facebook at Carolina Women's Basketball.
2026-27 Women's Basketball Preseason AP Top 25 Poll
1. South Carolina*
2. UConn
3. USC
4. Duke*
5. Michigan
6. Texas
7. Louisville*
8. Vanderbilt
9. LSU*
10. Iowa
11. UCLA
12. North Carolina
13. Notre Dame*
14. Kentucky
15. TCU
16. Washington
17. Minnesota
18. Ohio State
19. Ole Miss
20. Maryland
21. Oklahoma*
22. Oklahoma State
23. Illinois
24. West Virginia
25. NC State*
The Tar Heels remained consistently ranked last season, peaking at No. 11 in the AP Poll as Carolina reached its second straight Sweet 16 for its third in the last five seasons.
Picked third in the Atlantic Coast Conference Preseason Poll, Carolina begins year eight of the Banghart era with a stacked non-conference slate ahead, with five NCAA Tournament teams ahead.
Eight returners from last season's squad are back, including 2025-26 All-ACC Freshman Team member Nyla Brooks. The addition of four transfers and two freshmen is set to generate energy, with Kate Harpring named to the Preseason All-ACC Freshman Team last week.
After defeating Davidson in its lone home exhibition game on Sunday, the Tar Heels travel to Maryland on Saturday, Oct. 24 for their last preseason game before regular season action. Tipoff against the Terrapins is slated for 1 p.m. ET, streaming on B1G+.
Fans can catch Saturday's stream for $8.99 through BigTenPlus.com.
The Tar Heels open the regular season on Nov. 2, traveling to Paris, France to face off against Oklahoma in the 2026 Oui-Play. Action against the Sooners is set for 2:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
Season tickets for the 2026-27 season remain on sale, For more information regarding tickets, visit goheels.com/tickets or reach out to the UNC Athletic Ticket Office at 919-926-2296 or tickets@unc.edu.
Stay up to date with the latest North Carolina women's basketball news on X at @UNCWBB, Instagram @UNCWBB and Facebook at Carolina Women's Basketball.
2026-27 Women's Basketball Preseason AP Top 25 Poll
1. South Carolina*
2. UConn
3. USC
4. Duke*
5. Michigan
6. Texas
7. Louisville*
8. Vanderbilt
9. LSU*
10. Iowa
11. UCLA
12. North Carolina
13. Notre Dame*
14. Kentucky
15. TCU
16. Washington
17. Minnesota
18. Ohio State
19. Ole Miss
20. Maryland
21. Oklahoma*
22. Oklahoma State
23. Illinois
24. West Virginia
25. NC State*
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's BasketballTuesday, October 20
Tuesday, October 20
Tuesday, October 20
Monday, October 19