NC State women's basketball is seeking to prove eliteness
Counting the ACC Tournament, NC State women’s basketball went 20-1 in conference games this season.
That one loss: Feb. 1 at Notre Dame in the only meeting between the two teams.
NC State women’s basketball opponent in the Sweet 16 round: Notre Dame.
The two will play after an 11:30 a.m. tip in Bridgeport, Conn., with NC State hoping for better results. Wolfpack head coach Wes Moore believes that a reversal of fortunes for his team would have to originate from a strong performance in the paint.
In game one between the two teams, Notre Dame post player Maya Dodson had 20 points and 10 rebounds. She helped the Irish outrebound the Wolfpack, 45-38, during Notre Dame’s 69-66 win.
“We didn’t really have an answer for her,” Moore said of Dodson. “I think she got seven offensive rebounds. We’ve got to do a better job in that regard.
“I just think this time of year, and I say it all the time because I was around Pat Summitt some in my early coaching career — she would say, ‘Offense sells tickets, defense wins games and rebounding wins championships.’
“We’ve got to be a great rebounding team this weekend if we want to be successful.”
A Win Gets NC State Women’s Basketball Closer To Goal
Saturday will mark NC State’s fourth straight trip to the Sweet 16, but the Wolfpack has yet to advance past that round and reach the Elite Eight. Last year, in the first tournament NC State women’s basketball had ever received a No. 1 seed, they were upset by Indiana in the Sweet 16.
“I thought Indiana was tougher than us a year ago, just to be real honest,” Moore noted. “I just thought they took it to us, and they had a veteran team and they were hungry.
“Hopefully that experience a year ago, and then also really working all year long to get back to this point, will be a benefit for us.”
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Moore also acknowledged that in order for NC State women’s basketball to be considered elite, it needs to punch through this round and eventually reach a Final Four.
“I think we need to take another step or two,” Moore said. “We understand that. It’s nothing to take away from what this team has accomplished. To win an ACC regular season championship, to win the tournament, as well, to have the No. 2 NET in the country.
“We played an unbelievable schedule. Nothing is going to take away from that, but I agree we need to take another step or two. That’s why a lot of these players chose to come back for their fifth year to try to make that happen.”
Kayla Jones, Kai Crutchfield and Raina Perez all decided to use their super senior years. All-American senior center Elissa Cunane joins them in likely making their final run together in a Wolfpack uniform, determined to make a Final Four.
“I think it’s one of our goals for sure, however you want to consider our program,” Cunane said. “I think internally, it’s something that we all want, and we’re all fighting for.
“I think we’ve made this team great along the way with our championships, but I think it definitely is time for us to take that next step past the Sweet 16.”
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