Wes Moore: "It's Going To Be A Big Challenge For Our Program"
No. 1 seed NC State head coach Wes Moore met with the media Sunday afternoon ahead of the Wolfpack’s Elite Eight matchup versus No. 2 seed Connecticut Monday evening.
Opening Statement
Again, just really proud of our kids and the effort they gave yesterday. Would have been real easy to feel like, okay, it's not going to happen today. But that's just not in them. Kept battling. We told them at halftime, I think at that point Notre Dame in the second quarter shot 77 percent from the field and 80 percent from the three, and just tried to reiterate to them, okay, we've got to play better defense, but also they're probably not going to keep up that pace, and we've got to make sure we're still locked in and ready when the opportunity presents itself. And they did. Proud, happy for them. A lot of them came back for this very reason, to try to rewrite this chapter, so excited for them. As far as tomorrow, we know it's a great challenge. Geno built something really special here, and obviously he's got a lot of great players, a lot of talent. We know it's, like I said, going to be a big challenge for our program, but we're excited about it, excited about the opportunity, and trying to take one more step.
We were just with the players before and they were joking about how Raina has come out of her shell this year and you can just tell they seem really close off the court. In what ways have you seen bonds form between the players?
Yeah, we thought we were only going to have her for one year, and it was unbelievable how a year ago she just immediately fit. When you have a veteran team back as we did a year ago and you bring someone new in that's going to play a major role, you worry about how she's going to be accepted and how she's going to fit in. You just can't help but love her, just her personality, her unselfishness. One thing as a coach I really appreciate is everything we do she does full speed, she does game-like. I call her a pro. She comes in there when we're doing the simplest of drills and she's going game speed. And that's why on the biggest stage, it doesn't faze her because she's used to going that speed. Yeah, just a great personality. Even when I first started talking with her on the phone, we could cut up, take jabs at each other, and just knew she was special. On the court, off the court, it's been unbelievable.
Given the non-conference schedule you've played with a lot of great teams also in the ACC, does UConn remind you of anybody stylistically-wise that you've played this season?
You know, again, I think right now they're definitely one of the best teams in the country. They've got everybody back. They're healthy. They're playing extremely well. Geno seems to always get them to peak at the right time, and they seem to be doing that. Yeah, I don't know if I'd make any comparison. Again, I just think they've got a lot of weapons, a lot of people that can hurt you, and obviously he's a great coach. It's a big challenge.
We just saw the five of them today and we saw them a couple days ago. They seemed much looser today, joking around, just really happy, and they're facing what Geno has called repeatedly the hardest game of the tournament. Do you think that there's a connection between what they managed to do yesterday and the looseness that they're apparently taking into this --
Yeah, I don't know. Again, we're fortunate we've got a veteran team, and they've all been here several times. I think the preparation, you don't really change anything. You want the process to be the same as it's been all year, and so I think it's typical for them to enjoy being around each other, enjoy the game that they have such a passion for. So I think that helps keep them loose. But again, I just think they're in their normal routine, and take it, again, one game at a time and worry about who's next. I think we had an opportunity to watch film this morning and then to get out here and get back on the court a little bit and just go over a few things, and hopefully we'll be well rested and ready to roll.
To get to the Final Four would be amazing for this program, obviously, but to get there by beating UConn, the perennial powerhouse that they are, would that make it even more special for the program?
I think it would be pretty special no matter who it is, to be honest. Again, this is why -- I keep saying it, but this is why a lot of these kids came back, a lot of these seniors. They wanted to rewrite the last chapter, and we're here. We have an opportunity to do that. Probably really focused on us and doing what we do and trying to be the best version of NC State that we can be, so it really doesn't matter who that's against.
You talk a lot or reference a lot Kay Yow and Pat Summitt. Did you ever talk to them about being in this situation or these kind of situations, and if so what kind of advice did you get from them about competing in these moments?
No, why did you bring it up? Now I am wondering why they didn't. Man, now you give me something else to think about. No, really didn't. I was fortunate to be with Coach Yow when actually the young ladies that went to the Final Four for NC State in '98. They were freshmen when I was there, and '93 to '95, so I was around that team. Coach Yow, again, she made everybody loose, everybody feel good about being there. But no, really haven't done that. I keep referencing I do think you do what you've done all year, and a thing that we've really focused on and we saw it last night watching UConn, they're a great rebounding team. I think Geno referenced it after the game, they had 19 more shots than Indiana had, and that was the thing that I learned and loved about Pat Summitt and Tennessee is just they were great rebounding teams, and I think that's what you have to do this time of year. I think UConn is following that same blueprint, and so we have to try to match that.
Earlier Geno said he recalled when you were at UT Chattanooga you came up to a practice and you guys went out and talked a little bit after that. Do you remember what year that was? Do you remember the conversation? Were you picking his brain a little bit when you met with him?
Oh, yeah. Yeah, I don't remember the year, but I tried to -- when I was at Chattanooga, when we had fall break, we'd give our players off for three or four days, and I would try to go somewhere and learn and get better. So one year I decided to come up here to UConn, and Geno was gracious enough to let me hang out for two or three days. And before practice or after practice we'd sit down and visit, maybe grab something to eat, whatever. He's been really good to me. I think sometimes it's been so long, not that I'm saying he's old or anything, but he's been here so long you lose sight of the fact that he built this program. Before that I don't know that women's basketball at UConn was on the map. He's built something special, and the rest of us are trying to get there. But yeah, he was very gracious with his time and with his knowledge, and it was a good weekend.
What attributes have allowed you to have the type of success to win three conference championships in a row, and is there something different or elevated about this year's team that could allow you to take that next step to the Final Four?
Yeah, I think the key to our success is high-character young ladies, student-athletes. I want to enjoy the journey. I'm selfish. I want to enjoy the ride, so to speak, and I want them to. I want this to be the best four years of their life, and I want them to have a great environment and great atmosphere to play in. Because of that, we're real selective who we bring in that locker room and who we bring into our program, and so all these young ladies are unbelievable people. I think high character wins games and wins championships. Obviously they've got to be talented to play at this level and to compete for a Final Four, but I think that's the thing that separates us sometimes, the unselfishness, the willingness to — Before COVID year, I think it was us and one other program were the only two Power Fives that had never had a player go in the portal, and I think that says a lot about the people that are in that locker room. They enjoy being around each other and enjoy playing together, competing together. As far as what separates this team, I think you've got to have talent. We've had that. But I think the depth and the experience, we've got more depth than we've had. Last year when we lost Kayla Jones in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, we weren't prepared for that. And so now I think this year we're a little bit better equipped if we get in foul trouble or someone is having an off-night. I think we have some options that can come in and not just hold down the fort, can really take off and give us a lift. Then, like I said, the experience. We've got three players that this is their fifth year of college basketball. Elissa Cunane, her fourth; Jakia Brown-Turner, Jada Boyd, Camille Hobby, their third. So we've got a lot of people who have been there, and I think that helps this time of year when you have that inner confidence, just like last night. Like I said, it would have been easy to say, okay, it isn't happening, but they believed it could.
UConn has used 11 different starting lineups this year just with injuries and various other reasons. What impresses you most about their current lineup they've used throughout this tournament?
Well, I mean, they're just all great players. I tried to recruit most of them. I guess Geno is just cooler than me. You know, again, now they have Bueckers back, they have Fudd back, and obviously really the whole lineup. Williams -- I've done USA Basketball, so I've been around a lot of these players, as well. Williams is a great athlete and gets to the rim, does so many things for them. You can go down the list. Aaliyah Edwards, I did a home visit with her up in Canada. That was good, wasn't it? Like I said, she loved me, obviously. Ododa -- again, they're just super talented and well-coached. You know you're going to have to play extremely well, and we understand that. But this time of year you need to play well no matter who you're playing. Hopefully we can do that.
I know you did not want to talk about the other night because you're focused on Notre Dame and now you're here playing them in front of a home crowd. You've had success against South Carolina at their place, Louisville at their place. How much is it going to help that you've faced some tough hostile crowds?
Yeah, I think no doubt that gives me confidence, so hopefully it gives them confidence. A year ago we went to No. 1 South Carolina and won, we went to No. 1 Louisville and won. This year we went to Indiana and won in front of big crowds. You know, that's the thing; Connecticut fans are great. They love their women's basketball. If I'm out somewhere traveling or something, I run into them and they love their women's basketball and you've got to respect that. I don't know why, but I've agreed to a series with UConn starting next year, and so we'll be coming back up here. In case y'all want to come back and see me again, I'll be holding a press conference again, and then they're going to come to us the following year. You know, again, that gives me confidence. Hopefully it gives the players confidence that that really doesn't matter. They're not going to be -- we're going against five at a time.
What do you want to see from your defense for 40 minutes tomorrow? I know you mentioned Notre Dame was shooting these crazy numbers yesterday that you figured weren't probably going to last, but in terms of playing such a good offensive team, what do you want to see tomorrow from your defensive --
Yeah, energy and urgency. We've got to fly around. They've got too many weapons. If you're not on edge, if you're not locked in, if you're not talking and focused, you're going to be in trouble. We've got to make sure we bring all that. And then part of that, I know it sounds crazy, but offensively we've got to take care of the ball because they do pick sixes, okay. We're up here playing football if we're not careful. We've got to make sure we take care of the ball first and give our defense a chance to get back and guard them in the half court.
From previous years to now, do you think there's a difference with the tournament being branded March Madness, and do you think the sport is getting the respect it deserves?
Yeah, I think everything -- I think it's getting better. I'm excited about it. It's great to have that March Madness on the court and everywhere. I mean, that's what it's about. I call it March gladness, but whatever. This is the time of year you work for all year, and you're excited about being here. It's just to see where the game has gone. I've been around a little while. It's just amazing. Again, I think last year it was good. We had some student-athletes speak up, and because of them I really think -- I know I'm fortunate. Our administration has done so many things to make us feel like we're special and we get equal opportunity. From my standpoint, I'm loving it. And I think our players are treated extremely well. It's fun to see them getting the attention and being marketed. We've got a great game, and we draw, and we attract numbers TV-wise. Let's keep building and let's keep pushing it and watch how far it'll go.
I just wanted to ask you in regards to Elissa Cunane, you talk about marketing or how she's been playing in the tournament. Do you feel like she's getting the respect of like an All-American like you hear about other players? Tell us what she's meant to NC State's program?
Yeah, just amazing to think about what she's done for this program. That's why yesterday, Kai Crutchfield made some unbelievable plays for us down the stretch. Again, I expect that out of her even more because she's capable of doing that. Then obviously Raina Perez made the play of the day. SportsCenter opens up with it, you know it's pretty big. But I didn't want Elissa to get lost in all that. She had 16 points, 10 rebounds, and just did so many things during the game to give us an opportunity. But what she's done throughout her career here, four straight Sweet 16s, three straight ACC championships, okay. Before we won the ACC championship it had been 30 years. I'm talking about the tournament. Before we won the regular season championship this year, it had been 32 years, which I hate to even bring those numbers up. But I want you to realize not only Elissa, what all these players have done for this program and the legacy they're leaving. I couldn't be prouder, couldn't be happier for them, to see where they've come from in the last four years. It's pretty amazing, they've put this program on the map.
You've got three graduates on your team who could have started their career or gone on and not come back and played basketball. Does that put a little more pressure on you as a coach knowing that you wanted to send them out the right way?
My goodness, why is everybody doing this to me? The reason they came back is because of me. You know, they couldn't resist. One more year with me saying get it there or turn your motor up or whatever? Come on, they couldn't pass up that. Yeah, I don't know if I'd call it pressure, but that's probably why I was so happy last night when Raina made that play and all was because -- again, I hate to say it, that's why they came back. If we would have just got -- folks, it's not easy to get to the Sweet 16, and you've done that four years -- this is four years in a row we had done that. But everybody was like, oh, yeah, man, they're going to lose again? I'm so happy for them because they came back, and now it's paid off. To win the regular season, to win the tournament, those were great. Now to take another step in the NCAA Tournament and we're not done? We've got another opportunity. Yeah, maybe a little bit of pressure. I probably felt more pressure this year all season than I have because I knew our expectations were so high. I'm not talking about just inside. Outside the building. So maybe I have felt more pressure. But mainly it was just wanting them to benefit from the decision they made.