NC State Women’s Basketball Loading Up on Preseason Honors

A day after being nationally ranked 5th, State women’s basketball added onto the hype train with a handful ACC preseason honors.

NC State Picked to Finish First

This is a big deal, because while they’ve won the conference the last two seasons, Louisville and Notre Dame have claimed the top spot in recent memory. And the votes weren’t close.

State took home 89% of first place votes, between media and head coaches. Does this mean they automatically win the ACC? No, but at least they’ve cracked through another level of media and national perception.

Cunane Preseason Player of the Year

After a year of getting national accolades from the AP, ESPN and USBWA, Cunane adds to the collection with a Preseason Player of the Year award. What’s scary for the ACC, and nation for that matter, is Cunane actually had the slightest of dips in rebounding performance last year. She could find herself in the season-long double-double conversation if she get into a defensive groove. 17 points, 10 rebs, 2 ast performer? Oh my…

Brown-Turner and Johnson Also Rewarded

Brown-Turner made both media and head coaches Preseason All-ACC Team. The junior added four points and two rebounds to her game average, and that should only continue to go up. Her run from February through end of season was fantastic.

Diamond Johnson, the recent transfer from Rutgers, was named to both media and head coaches Newcomer Watch List. Johnson was Big Ten All-Freshman and Second Team All-B10 last season. Through 19 games, she started 15 as a true freshman, averaging an unreal 17.6 points, 4.3 rebs and 2.5 in both assists and steals. Did we mention this team has weapons?

State opens their season on November 3rd versus UNC-Pembroke before a monster meeting with South Carolina on November 9th.