Story Poster
Photo by Steve Murphy/IPS
NC State Women's Basketball

MCLAMB: Moore Success For Pack

March 26, 2019
4,750

As the waning seconds of the game ticked away a realization settled in: despite a slew of setbacks that would have brought down most programs, NC State would be back where it was last season.

The injury-riddled Wolfpack picked up their 28th win of the campaign Monday with a 72-57 triumph over Kentucky at Valvano Arena in Reynolds Coliseum. In the process, a spot was booked in Greensboro for the Sweet Sixteen. NC State will next take on Iowa, with the winner facing the victor of Saturday’s matchup between Baylor and South Carolina with a spot in the Final Four on the line.

The four season-ending injuries are well-known at this point. It has put NC State in a bind in terms of its depth, but, by consequence, it has also created a determination and mindset within Wes Moore’s team. The Wolfpack continues to survive, and Monday’s win means they will advance.

In the game against Kentucky, it seemed that Elissa Cunane would be the X-factor. The Wildcats did not have a player of her size, and in their previous outing against Princeton the game was close despite the shooting woes of Bella Alarie, the Tigers center.

Alarie finished 8-of-24 from the floor and Kentucky won by five points, leaving a natural impression that if the Tigers’ star had what would be considered a normal shooting effort the Wildcats would have likely been upset.

In retrospect, Kentucky’s defense probably deserves more credit for Alarie’s shooting struggles. The Wildcats attacked Cunane with help defense whenever she got the ball, typically from the weak side. She finished with 15 rebounds, a career-best, but scored 13 points despite it initially appearing that she could have her way inside.

Cunane had six assists but also finished with six turnovers. The freshman will have to get better as her career progresses in terms of identifying where the help comes from and passing correctly out of the double-team.  Still, the ability to pass is there.

DD Rogers finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds, so Cunane’s effort was augmented in a way that was difficult for the Wildcats to match. Kai Crutchfield knocked down three shots from three-point range to help unclog the middle.

If there is a bottom line to why the Wolfpack is advancing to the Sweet Sixteen it is this: NC State has Kiara Leslie and Kentucky does not.

Leslie finished with 26 points and 10 rebounds. She drained threes from the wing, drove the lane relentlessly, and gave the Wolfpack consistent effort on the defensive end.

Kiara Leslie is NC State’s equivalent of a North Star in that she is a constant and is the light that guides the team to where it wants to go.

That light will shine now in the Triad as NC State prepares for its second consecutive appearance in a regional semifinal. The Wolfpack has traversed a hectic season with remarkably few bumps in the road. At 28-5 overall, no one can dispute that Moore’s team is among the elite.

When you have a star to guide you, a resolve to fight on despite any misfortune, and a coach who will never really be satisfied, there are no limits. It will be interesting to watch NC State in the Sweet Sixteen.

Discussion from...

MCLAMB: Moore Success For Pack

3,305 Views | 0 Replies | Last: 5 yr ago by Rob McLamb
There are not any replies to this post yet.
Refresh
Page 1 of 1
 
×
subscribe Verify your student status
See Subscription Benefits
Trial only available to users who have never subscribed or participated in a previous trial.