North Carolina
Michigan State women’s basketball’s March Madness opponent is North Carolina in 2024 NCAA tournament
Michigan State women’s basketball is heading to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2021.
The Spartans will be a No. 9 seed and face North Carolina, No. 8 seed in Regional 1 of the NCAA women’s basketball tournament, ending a two-year tourney drought. MSU earned their bid after finishing 22-8 under first-year head coach Robyn Fralick; it’s the most wins for the MSU women since 2015-16, when they went 25-9.
The day and time for the game hasn’t been announced yet but the contest will be played in Columbia, South Carolina.
MSU finished the regular season 22-7 with a 12-6 record in conference play, entering the Big Ten tourney as the No. 4 seed, the Spartans’ highest finish since 2016. MSU was bounced in its quarterfinal opener by No. 5 seed Nebraska, but still had a strong enough résumé to earn an at-large bid.
PRINT YOUR BRACKET: NCAA women’s basketball tournament 2024
MSU finished with the second-best offense in the Big Ten and sixth-best offense nationally, averaging 83.7 points per game. MSU had the conference’s sixth-best defense, holding opponents to 67.3 points per game in league play, to boast an average scoring margin of plus-16.4, also second-best in the conference behind Iowa.
The team is led by a pair of fifth-year seniors, Moira Joiner and Julia Ayrault. The 6-foot-2 Ayrault is averaging 15.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.1 blocks and 1.2 steals per game, earning first-team All-Big Ten honors. Joiner was a second-team All-Big Ten honoree for averaging 14.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 43.2% (76-for-176) from 3 as the team’s primary sharpshooter.
The Spartans also had two other players, junior DeeDee Hagemann and sophomore Theryn Hallock, earn conference honors. Hagemann, who won Miss Basketball at Detroit Edison, made second-team All-Big Ten for her work as the team’s point guard, averaging 12.4 points, 5.1 assists and 2.4 rebounds while shooting 41.4% (41-for-99) from 3. Hallock was named Big Ten Sixth Player of the Year for her work off the bench, averaging 11.1 points, 2.7 assists, 2.2 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game.
TUNE IN: How to watch the NCAA women’s tournament
MSU got off to a hot start to the season, cruising to a 10-1 record in nonconference play with its only loss coming to Creighton in the Cancun Challenge in Mexico. MSU dropped two of its first three conference games, though, losing to Nebraska at home and Iowa on the road on a buzzer-beater, before beating Maryland and dropping to Ohio State to move to 2-3 in conference. Then they won five of their next six games, dropped back-to-back games to Indiana and Ohio State, before finishing the regular season with a five-game winning streak.
Fralick, who grew up in Okemos before playing ball at Davidson in North Carolina, built Bowling Green State into a winner before replacing Suzy Merchant, who led the program for 16 seasons. Fralick reached the WNIT and WBI in three of her five seasons at BGSU following a three-season run at Ashland in which she went 104-3 and won the 2017 Division II national title.
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UNC is still high on Denis as backcourt depth piece despite coaching change and lack of playing time last season.
While North Carolina continues to rebuild its backcourt, one of its key guards is officially returning.
Guard Isaiah Denis re-signed with the Tar Heels on Sunday afternoon, the university announced on social media. The move comes after Denis withdrew his name from the transfer portal on April 18.
Denis was among the first UNC players to enter the transfer portal when it opened April 7. But after a meeting with head coach Michael Malone and the coaching staff, he reconsidered and decided to return for another season.
A former four-star prospect, Denis was part of North Carolina’s 2025 recruiting class that also included Caleb Wilson and Derek Dixon. Denis appeared in 10 games last season, averaging 1.9 points and 0.6 rebounds while shooting 50% from the field.
UNC remains high on Denis and his ability to provide depth in the backcourt.
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No. 8 Virginia (10-6, 2-2 ACC) defeats No. 5 North Carolina (12-3, 2-2 ACC) to claim its first ACC Tournament title since 2019. Updates are in reverse chronological order with the most recent events at the top.
Virginia 16, North Carolina 6 | FINAL
Virginia 16 North Carolina 6 | Q4 FINAL
Hudson Hausmann scores in transition before UNC scores on the man up. Kyle Morris is now in net. Minutes later, Burke McFarlane scores as the Hoos pile it on.
Virginia 14 North Carolina 5 | Q4 7:40
James Matan scores to open the fourth quarter for the Heels before Ryan Duenkel fires back with a behind the back goal on the other end.
Virginia 13 North Carolina 4 | Q3 0:00
Duffy scores to break UNC’s deadlock before McCabe Millon pierces a corner to restore Virginia’s advantage. Short;y after Ryan Colsey scores a twister as Virginia continues to pile on the goals. Later on Pietramala scored his first goal of the day.
Virginia 11 North Carolina 2 | Q2 1:38
McCabe Millon scores again as he has three goals and two assists. Truitt Sunderland scores his fourth of the day shortly after.
Virginia 9 North Carolina 2 | Q2 4:51
Hudson Hausmann scores in transition to make it eight straight for the Cavaliers. Jake Marek makes another unbelievable save. Truitt Sunderland scores again as the Hoos have scored nine straight goals.
MAKE IT 8 GOALS IN A ROW💥#GoHoos🔸⚔️🔹 pic.twitter.com/4S65OEKjso
— Virginia Men’s Lacrosse (@UVAMensLax) May 3, 2026
Virginia 7 North Carolina 2 | Q2 10:48
Will Inderlied stretches Virginia’s lead to six. After the goal Marek makes another massive save on the other end. He’s got seven saves so far. B. Millon finds Duenkel to make it 7-2 Hoos. Timeout UNC.
Virginia 5 North Carolina 2 | Q1 2:20
McCabe Millon scores in transition off of a feed from Sunderland. On the other end Marek makes another save before M. Millon returns the favor with a feed to Sunderland.
Virginia 3 North Carolina 2 | Q1 5:38
Virginia goes man up with Brendan Millon finding Truitt Sunderland to take the lead. UNC received the penalty for an illegal stick.
Virginia 2 North Carolina 2 | Q1 6:26
In need of an answer McCabe Millon scores the first of the day for the Hoos. Chase Band recorded the assist. Minutes later, Joey Terenzi splits his man and scores from the top of the key.
Virginia 0 North Carolina 2 | Q1 10:04
The Hoos fail to score on their opening two possessions. James Matan on the Tar Heels first possession finds nylon with an on the run shot. Pietramala feeds Brevin Wilson to give UNC an early advantage.
Virginia vs North Carolina Pregame Notes
For a preview: Virginia Lacrosse vs. North Carolina ACC Championship Preview
- Virginia fell to North Carolina 16-15 in overtime in Charlottesville, Virginia in April
- Virginia is seeking its first ACC Tournament title since 2019
- North Carolina defeated Syracuse 12-10 in the second semifinal to advance to Sunday’s championship
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For the first time in a long time, you can now enjoy a fire, outside, across most of North Carolina The North Carolina Forest Service says 81 counties, including Durham and Wake, have now dropped the open burn ban.
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