UConn's Sarah Strong returns to North Carolina roots in Sweet 16 showdown
Sarah Strong grew up near Chapel Hill and followed the Tar Heels’ program. Now, the UConn sophomore is poised to eliminate UNC from the NCAA Tournament.
FORT WORTH, TX ― Sarah Strong grew up just down the road from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, close enough to follow the Tar Heels’ program as a child. Now, the UConn sophomore is poised to eliminate North Carolina from the NCAA Tournament. The 2026 first-team All-American and UConn’s leader in points, rebounds, steals and blocks will lead the top-seeded Huskies against No.
4-seed North Carolina in the Sweet 16 on Friday (5 p. m. ET, ESPN).
“They were one of my top schools, I almost went there,” Strong said. “I really am a big fan of UNC. I wanted to stay home at one point.
” North Carolina head coach Courtney Banghart and her staff pursued the “generational prospect” aggressively during the 2024 recruiting cycle, hoping to keep the state’s top player close to home. “Sarah has been in my house. I spent a lot of time interviewing Sarah Strong,” Banghart said.