Top-25 Clash Set for Chapel Hill as Tar Heels Host Cardinals CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (Interstat) — A pivotal early-season Atlantic Coast Conference women’s basketball matchup is set for Sunday when the North Carolina Tar Heels host the Louisville Cardinals at the Dean Smith Center. Both teams enter with identical 9-3 records, though North Carolina’s mark stands at 9-2. The contest features two of the ACC’s hottest teams, with each riding a wave of dominant non-conference victories into their first league showdown of the campaign. The Tar Heels, led by dynamic guard Indya Nivar, have been impressive at home. Nivar is coming off a well-rounded performance of 13 points, seven rebounds and four assists in an 82-40 rout of Boston University on Dec. 7. Over her last five games, she has averaged 13.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.8 assists, serving as the engine for North Carolina’s offense. The Tar Heels’ only loss in that stretch was a 79-64 defeat at then-Texas. Louisville counters with its own backcourt star in Skylar Jones, who is averaging 15.0 points over her last three outings. Jones exploded for 20 points in just 18 minutes in the Cardinals’ most recent game, a 93-62 victory over Ball State on Wednesday. She shot a blistering 8-for-10 from the field in that win, showcasing the efficient scoring punch she provides. The Cardinals have rebounded strongly from a two-game skid in late November, winning their last four games by an average margin of 41.5 points. Their defense has been stifling during this stretch, holding opponents to an average of just 48 points per game. North Carolina’s defense has been equally formidable, particularly at home, where they have not allowed an opponent to score more than 73 points this season. The frontcourt presence of Nyla Harris, who grabbed nine rebounds against Boston University, will be key against a Louisville team that shares the scoring load. This game serves as a critical resume-building opportunity for both squads before conference play intensifies in January. The winner will claim an early advantage in the ACC standings and momentum heading into the holiday break. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. EST on Sunday, Dec. 14. The game will be broadcast nationally on the ACC Network.