CHAPEL HILL, N.C. ― As the North Carolina Tar Heels turn their attention to the undefeated UConn Huskies in the Sweet 16, sophomore guard Elina Aarnisalo is emerging as a star in March.
Aarnisalo was a member of the UCLA team that lost to UConn in the Final Four last season. As the only Tar Heel player with Final Four experience, Aarnisalo described how her team will need to approach the game against the Huskies.
"We're going to do great preparation," Aarnisalo said. "And that's what we need for that game. We need everyone on the same page and locked in."
UConn advanced to the Sweet Sixteen with an impressive 98-45 win over Syracuse. North Carolina plays the Huskies on Friday in Fort Worth (5 p.m., ESPN).
Aarnisalo played 18 minutes and scored five points in the Bruins' 85-51 beat down at the hands of the Huskies in last year's Final Four.
This tournament has seen Aarnisalo take a more prominent role. She played 39 minutes in North Carolina's 74-66 second-round win over Maryland, scoring 21 points and grabbing six rebounds.
Michigan State's Rashunda Jones (1) walks off the court following a second-round game in the NCAA women's basketball tournament between the Oklahoma Sooners and Michigan State Spartans at Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Okla., Sunday March 22, 2026." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Kamy Peppler #1 of the Green Bay Phoenix reacts against the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the third quarter during the First Round of the Women's NCAA Tournament at Williams Arena on March 20, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Golden Gophers defeated the Phoenix 75-58." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
March Sadness hits hard in the Women's NCAA basketball tournament
Michigan State's Rashunda Jones (1) walks off the court following a second-round game in theNCAA women's basketballtournament between the Oklahoma Sooners and Michigan State Spartans at Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Okla., Sunday March 22, 2026.
In March, Aarnisalo has increased her scoring output, averaging 17 points across five games, which is seven points higher than her season average.
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During the Tar Heels' win against Maryland, Aarnisalo picked up a fourth personal foul with nearly a full quarter left to play. Head coach Courtney Banghart decided to keep her in the game.
"It's huge, that trust from her and the whole staff to keep me on the court," Aarnisalo said. "We needed to make some adjustments, and it showed off today as beneficial, so it was a good call by her."
The Finland native has become a leader this season, and as the Tar Heels continue to advance, that role is being emphasized. North Carolina lost a lot of production coming into this season. Adding a player with significant postseason experience like Aarnisalo is paying dividends for Banghart and the Tar Heels.
"We've been emphasizing togetherness, just being connected, whatever it is," Aarnisalo. "Enjoying every single moment off the court, enjoying ourselves, but when we're on the court, being super locked in and present."
If North Carolina is going to upset UConn and keep its March run alive, the Tar Heels may need another breakout performance from Aarnisalo on the game's biggest stage.
TJ Frenchis a student in the University of Georgia's Carmical Sports Media Institute.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Elina Aarnisalo rising as North Carolina prepares for UConn in women's Sweet 16