Wes Moore: "It Raises The Bar"
NC State head coach Wes Moore met with the media in Charlotte for the 2024 ACC Women's Basketball Tipoff.
NOTE: Click the video above to watch a portion of the interviews with Moore.
Is this what being a rock star in Raleighwood feels like?
This is what it feels like, man. This is cool, yeah.
How does it feel, like, with all the success and everything, everybody's loving on this team this year? I mean, what does that do to you as a coach?
Yeah, well, like I said, it was unbelievable a year ago, the run. Not only us, the men's basketball, too, with Coach Keatts. It was just an unbelievable experience. I tell people it only took me 35 years to get there, so. But no, I'm really happy for our players. They put so much time and work into it, and so I'm really happy they got to experience it. Still a little bit of a hangover from the fact two years earlier we got beaten in double overtime to go to the Final Four, and I wish those players could have experienced this as well. But definitely, it's been an unbelievable ride.
What did you do in the offseason to kind of relax? Did you relax?
Oh, don't worry about me now. I'm going to get my time in. You know, go to Texas for a week, go to Vegas for a week, and play a little bit of golf. Somebody asked me earlier, have you taken a moment to reflect on the season, the Final Four run? I said, are you kidding me? I've taken all summer to reflect. So, you know, now we've got to go back, though, turn the page and start all over. But definitely, I enjoyed my offseason.
Hey, Coach Moore, what two players that are kind of low-key this year that you expect to be household names by the end of the season?
Well, you know, you already mentioned we've got a great core group of players. I don't know.
Zoe Brooks is somebody that I thought had an unbelievable freshman year, and so hopefully she's going to continue to draw attention.
And then freshman-wise, the McDonald's All-American, Zamareya Jones from right up the road in Greenville, North Carolina. She's going to be a special player for us. And then maybe throw in there Tilda Trygger from Sweden, 6'6", forward, that has some potential to do some special things.
I saw you picked up a number one recruit early. Picked up a number one recruit, right? I forget the name, but they said you picked up a top recruit recently.
We did, but I can't talk about them until they sign. Oh, Ok. But we did get a special player from North Carolina.
Well, as you talked about, it took you 35 years to get there. So this is all new. The season after is all new. So aside from reflecting and everything, does the final four run energize you even more than previous years? I mean, how are you adapting to being that coach?
Yeah, I think the same way we do every year. We know it's a new start, and you've got different players. You know, we miss River Baldwin and Mimi Collins tremendously. They're both playing professionally in Europe right now. We're going to have a hard time filling their shoes. So everybody wants to talk about our guards. I get it. They're unbelievable, but we've got to have some balance. So we've got a lot of questions to answer between now and our opening game.
And the challenge as a coach developing that depth and developing those other parts, is that another exciting part of coaching?
Yeah, I mean, I agree. I think last year rejuvenated me a little bit. You know, the year before was not quite what we were used to doing, and so it was disappointing. This group, I think from day one, it was all about the culture, the chemistry. This past year, they were team-oriented. They celebrated teammates' success as much as they celebrated their own success. It made it a fun ride. Yeah, and I think that was part of our success, reason for our success and the reason we kept extending our season. We didn't want it to end. We were having fun. So you hope you can recapture that again.
You mentioned just the guards in general. Aziaha and Saniya, they've been there so long now. What do those two mean to you as they're entering towards the end of their careers?
Yeah, it's going to be really important. I've got to throw Madison Hayes in there with them. We've got three veteran guards that have been in the program at least a minimum of three years. So we're going to lean heavily on them. And then we, again, throw Zoe Brooks in there. Somebody who had a great freshman year. We've got some veterans on the perimeter that need to be our leaders and need to lead by example but also be vocal. So that's going to be critical.
Last season, you know, Aziaha and Saniya, it was their first year starting. They were one of the best backcourts in college. Did you envision that for them when they came into the season as starters?
Yeah, I mean, again, we knew they were going to be great players and have special years. But to say I knew they were going to do exactly what they did, you know, I think Saniya, again, had a great year. And then Aziaha, I think she just took off and got so hot in the NCAA tournament. I thought she was a big reason that we were able to make that run. And when you go through Tennessee, Stanford, Texas to get to the final four, you're going to have to have people step up and take it to another level. And in particular, I thought Aziaha did that.
Wes, when you made the final four run, what did that do for expectations heading into a new year?
Yeah, you know, again, I get it. It raises the bar. But as I mentioned, every year is a new year. A year ago we were here and they were throwing flowers on our grave. You know, we were picked eighth in the league. And now this year they're throwing us flowers to celebrate. So somewhere in between. Again, you can't get caught up in the outside noise. You've got to focus on the process and the work that you've got to put in. And we're starting over, you know. It's a new season with new players. So it was fun, but you've got to keep going.
Last year you guys were a bunch of party crashers was your slogan. Is there an identity or a slogan that you feel like this team is on just yet?
Yeah, I think the party crashers thing was more after we made it to the final four, you know. I don't think anybody really expected us to be there. But I think the biggest thing we were talking about last year down the stretch because all of a sudden now we're ranked top five and everybody was saying how great we are. I think we had to focus on staying hungry and staying humble. And I think that's true this year. You know, again, don't listen to all the outside stuff. Focus on getting better every day.
Last year's win over UConn in early November really propelled you guys kind of into the spotlight and set the tone in the right direction. With your non-conference slate, again, another challenging one. How do you approach that?
Yeah, you know, I think the big thing is that early in the year you really don't have a whole lot to lose. They're not handing out trophies in November. But I think you've got a lot to gain. I mean, I think playing South Carolina early in the year, they're going to expose every weakness we have and they're also going to prepare us for playing big games against great teams, which is what we're going to see every night in the ACC. Unbelievable conference. So we're playing that tough non-conference schedule to get ready for the ACC.
Aziaha has really grown as a leader, especially vocally. How do you see that?
Yeah, I think the biggest thing with Aziaha, her freshman, sophomore year, she had adversity. She tended to hang her head, maybe get down a little bit. Don't see that anymore. Now she's got that confidence, and we're going to need that. Again, she's got to be a leader by example, her and Saniya both. So they can't afford to get frustrated. They're going to get frustrated.
We don't have the same exact team we had a year ago, but they can't let that come out. And they've got to instill confidence in those young players.
Wes, you mentioned how challenging the league is. What does the addition of Stanford do to that?
Yeah, I mean all three of them, Stanford, Cal, SMU. I'm excited about it. Some people can complain about the travel and all that, but I think it's exciting to go out to California and play those two programs, great schools, great programs. And then I'm from Dallas, so going to SMU will be pretty neat for me.
Wes, how do you get the front court, River and Mimi, gone now. Who are you expecting to kind of step up?
I have no clue. Pray for us. I mean, again, it's tough. Everybody overlooks them, but they were really good. So big shoes to fill, and I don't have an answer at this point.
Wes, with the women's game exploding with eyeballs on TV sets, Caitlin Clark, all the stuff that's been going on the last couple of years, she's in the WNBA now, Angel Reese is gone. So, like, how does women's basketball sort of take the baton that this next group of teams and players are going to keep building on what's been going on the last few years in the sport?
Yeah, I mean, again, I think there's a whole lot of great players in women's basketball right now. And, you know, Caitlin Clark in particular was a generational player. I mean, I have to say, I mean, we went up to Iowa two years, a couple of years ago, and beat them and Iowa, which with her, not many teams probably did that. And we held her to 45 points. I mean, you know, great coaching job, right? But, yeah, I just think there's a whole lot of stars that are just waiting to explode. And with the exposure and coverage that we're receiving now, there's going to be a whole lot of new stars coming out.
I do want to ask you, too, about a player in this league, Olivia Miles, who missed last year but was a second-team All-American when she was last playing. The freshman that played in her position last year became a star. Now she's back. What stood out to you about when you would have to look at Olivia on a scouting report, especially a player that could dominate a game without taking 30 shots?
Yeah, I just think that combination, you know, Olivia Miles and Hidalgo, I mean, two great players on the same team. You know, it's going to be a big challenge. And fortunately we got some pretty good guards ourselves, so hopefully we can match up with them.
Yeah, just in general, though, from an X's and O's standpoint, like when you see Olivia Miles play, what was the thing that always stood out to you the most?
Well, you got to try to contain her somewhat. I mean, because she's not only going to create for herself, she's going to create for others. And if she gets going, starts feeling it, you're in trouble. So you got to try not to – you got to try – you're not going to stop her. You got to try to slow her down enough that she doesn't just take over a game.
And the other thing I want to ask sort of about that, when you're defending a player, again, that doesn't shoot 25 times a game and scores 20-some odd points, she can have a triple-double, she can rebound, she can – is that a different challenge than someone you just know is going to put up numbers, like pure scoring numbers and to kind of pick their spots.
I look back at the ACC Tournament Championship game, you know, probably my biggest regret was, you know, we should have – we should have done a better job with the players around Hidalgo. We let Citron and Westbeld get hot and nail threes. So you can't just focus on one player and get too caught up in it because they got a lot of great players around them that can make you pay.
And a lot of great players, you know, returning this year, and I think it's 14 all-ACC players just coming back. Just tell me a little bit about that from, you know, your perspective. What's the impact of that on the league and also continuing to hype, you know, year after year?
Yeah. I mean, I think that's what makes ACC one of the great women's basketball accomplishes in the country is the talent, especially at guards. I mean, there's so many really good guards in our league. And it's fun, you know, as a fan, it's got to be fun to come out and watch – see those people play. And especially going head-to-head against each other. Like I said, we got Notre Dame with Miles and Hidalgo, and now we got Aziaha and Saniya over here. And then you add Madison and Zoe. I mean, there's a lot of really good guards out there. And I think everybody in the conference seems to have a great team. So, you know, again, you prepare for each team differently, and I'm not even thinking about that yet. I'm worried about our team right now. But it's definitely going to be a challenge when you start trying to match up.
Aaron mentioned the mushroom and popularity of the sport. Are you pleased that it's finally gotten to the stage where there's going to be units awarded for tournament success? And that that's also going to be part of the ACC's internal success initiative with revenue sharing?
Yeah, I think it's great. You know, these young ladies have been working so hard for so long, and I think now they're finally getting the accolades and the attention they deserve. But you're right, it's pretty neat to know that, like we have in men's basketball, you know, the better your team does, the more your school's going to be rewarded financially. And I guess that puts more pressure on coaches, right? You've got to deliver. But I think it's really cool to see that happening. It says a lot about how far our game has come and the talent level that has brought it. In other words, one of the top entertainment values out there.
Wes, do you feel like the schedule has more balance now? You're going to play pretty much every once, instead of the pods where you're playing two teams twice.
Yeah, I'm not hating it, that's for sure. You know, when we had to play the Tobacco Road friends over there twice, and then Virginia and Virginia Tech, it's been tough. And you're right, now I think you get more of a true balance schedule, and so I'm always for that.
How have you seen the adjustment from Saniya going from more of a pass-first guard to now having to score the ball more? Have you seen that adjustment this offseason?
Yeah, I don't think it's a big change. She's still going to have the ball in her hands quite a bit, but obviously to get the best players on the court, we need to get Zoey Brooks out there, and then also we'll need to get Zamareya Jones, the freshman in there. So, you know, Saniya is someone that can do so many things. It's going to allow her to get to the offensive boards more by playing her there. It's also going to allow her to run the court and maybe in transition get some one-on-one opportunities on the break. But there will be times she's still going to have the ball in her hands.
And then you talked about Zamareya . What have you kind of seen from her as she gets, you know, acclimated to the college game?
Yeah, it's been fun having her. Zamareya, we had a little inter-squad scrimmage Saturday, and she did some really good things offensively. She knows when to score it herself, but also when to get other people involved, and that's what you want in a point guard. I think she also is going to raise the tempo and hopefully help us be even more explosive up and down the court. So, excited to have her.
Do you see similarities in her as a freshman that Zoey had a year ago?
Oh, yeah, they're similar players. You know, both of them are good off the bounce and can create for themselves as well as for teammates. So, yeah, it's going to be just another talented guard out there that we've got to get on the court.
There's a couple new coaches in the ACC this year, one of whom is Shawn Poppie, who you, you know, coached at Chattanooga for a long time. You coached against him in the NCAA tournament recently. How do you think he's going to do at Clemson?
Yeah, I think he's going to do really well. I mean, I joked with him, you know, it took me 15 years to get an ACC job out of Chattanooga, and it took him, what, like two years or something. So, he must be a lot smarter than me. But, no, I mean, happy for him. And, like I said, I'm sure they're going to be much improved.
You mentioned uptempo, with Zam, you know, do you think as a team it can be faster because you have so many outlets and guards to kick out to after the rebound?
Yeah, we've got to be faster. You know, I don't think we're going to be quite the same interior-wise. So, we're going to have to speed the game up and try to take advantage of their strengths, for sure.
A little bit of a different question, but I wanted to ask, how have you seen, just in terms of, you know, doing NIL changes, how do you see other coaches doing?
Yeah, you know, again, I know the revenue sharing piece was just passed, I guess, yesterday, maybe, in the courts. So, we're all still trying to figure that out. But, again, just another sign of it really being a great time to be a student athlete and the opportunities that you have there, both on the court and off. So, like I said, exciting time. Got a lot of former players wishing they could come back and find another year or two eligibility, I know that.
And, I mean, obviously, you're recruiting for the right piece. You want young women to come to your program, for the team, the academics, things like that. Does it help, also, just having One Pack and all the success, just showing them that they can have opportunities there as well?
Yeah, I think our university and our administration have done a great job with our collective and different avenues of giving our players every opportunity to have an unbelievable experience.
So, like I said, I'm excited about it, glad that it's been passed, and look forward to our players being able to fully tap in.
You mentioned Zoe's name a lot, whether it be asked about it or just kind of wanted to bring it up. When have you seen, from her, just the growth as a person going from freshman to sophomore?
Yeah, again, I think you always see that jump. Freshman is just such a big transition from high school to this level, the elite level, and I thought Zoe handled it really well, especially in the postseason, down the stretch. And so that gives you hope that that's going to continue to cycle up, and she's going to take even another step in her development and obviously it'll be a big part having Sanae and Isaiah to pull her along a little bit. But, yeah, expecting Zoe to take another step.
To kind of get big-pictured for a second, obviously a lot of changes, a lot of growth in women's basketball over the past few years. What's been one of your favorite things that you've seen from this growth, and has there been any kind of growing pains? Do you feel like the sport needs to continue to learn and adjust and adapt?
Yeah, I mean, again, just the eyes on the game. We're fortunate that we sell out every one of our games and they play in front of an awesome crowd, but you're seeing everybody's fan base becoming more involved in women's basketball. And then the TV exposure. I mean, I think about half our games are on national TV this coming year. So it's a great opportunity for them to be marketable and that sort of thing, both as a team but also as individuals. And then I think the biggest change is the whole NIL thing and Portal and all that. We were blessed that we didn't really have any significant players going to Portal or anything like that. But I think trying to, as a coach, it's just a whole new can of worms to try to figure out.
So still a work in progress, but part of the job. How are they expanding their game on the court this year?
Who?
James and Rivers.
Yeah, you know, again, I think they can both, I think Aziaha can continue to be a little more consistent with her shooting and all that. She can score at all three levels, so obviously the more she can expand her range, the better. I think Saniya has shown great improvement in her three-point shooting these past couple of years, but still room to grow there. And then both of them, like I said, just toughness and leadership roles that they can set by example will be important for this team this year. Because, like I said, we lost some great post players. They're going to have to be really special this year.
James said she wanted to get in there and rebound more.
Yeah, we need that. We definitely need that out of both of them.
Also, Saniya, you mentioned the three-point shooting. Can that be a build-off of the faster tempo, the kick-out to the guards, the drive, maybe the secondary break to her three-point shooting with Saniya?
Yeah, I think we definitely would. We're probably going to be playing four guards quite a bit, and so that's more opportunity to spread the D, create bigger gaps, attack those gaps, and then be able, as you mentioned, to get kick-outs for open threes. Hopefully, I think you shoot the three better when you're spotted up, and hopefully by having several players out there that can break a defense down and force help, it's going to make our three-point shooting better when people can spot up and get a better look.
Off-topic, but I have to ask you, when you first got here, you said you wanted new scalpers.
You wanted what? Scalpers. Oh, yeah.
It's a different era now. They buy them online a lot now, but when you found out the first time they scalped you, what was your reaction?
Yeah, you know, it's pretty cool. I've had people come up and tell me how much prices are, how high prices are on SeatGeek or whatever, StubHub, whatever they're on. It's pretty cool to hear that, you know, people are paying $200 or $300 for a ticket to women's basketball. Like I said, it makes for an unbelievable experience.
Do you think they got that size right at Reynolds?
No, I wish it was bigger. Like someone else once said, you know, I wish it was a little bigger. Yeah, but, again, it is what it is, and it makes for a great atmosphere. The thing is, if it was bigger, we'd sell it out. We got a big waiting list to get season tickets, so that's what would make it a little more fun, but, hey, it's unbelievable as it is.