Women's Basketball
Cunane Heads to WNBA – What Happens to Next Year’s Starting Five for NC State?
Three months ago, Big Ickey announced he was entering the NFL draft to potentially go in the first five picks. Wednesday afternoon, his female counterpart made the same statement (via Instagram) with a similar draft projection.
Solid chance Cunane will go top-five, with many projections having her heading to the Big Apple…Just like Ickey…
What A Career
I mean what can you say about Cunane that doesn’t seem like you’re gloating?
Multiple;
-All-American
-All-ACC Season and Tournament
-Lisa Leslie Finalist
-Wooden Award Finalist
-Naismith Semifinalist
-State Records
-Beast Mode
She was the face of the program, especially these last two seasons. Humble, smiling, always going forward with max effort. A North Carolina kid that put NC State back on the basketball map. Now she’ll get rewarded with a top pick to go pro. Can’t wait to see her transition to an even bigger stage (especially if New York is in play).
Where Does State Turn to Inside?
Lots of folks think that State’s dominance in the ACC is over. Yes, big pieces are no longer part of this team, but the core is still very much strong.
Brown-Turner stays in starting five and could make a legit run at ACC Player of the Year if she can go a step or two up in her game
Jones -> Boyd
Perez -> Johnson
Crutchfield -> James/Hayes (James has the inside track)
Frankly, yes, there will be a learning curve, but the drop-off isn’t there. However, Cunane’s position inside slips a bit. Hobby and Hart can play minutes and take some of that burden, but here is where Wes Moore is going to be active in the transfer game. Wouldn’t be surprised in the slightest if his transfer board just had two big circles around a true Center and another Forward with size.
One name to watch? Notre Dame’s Sam Brunelle. 6′ 2″ Forward from Virginia that State was interested in a couple years back. She’ll bring a load of awards and the potential to play closer to home. Would be a massive get for Moore and company. We’ll even throw this one out there too, Ra Shaya Kyle of Purdue. 6′ 6″ Center that entered the transfer portal and is a beast on the boards with solid blocking ability. Add two pieces like that? State is back in business
In short, Moore has options and after last year’s haul of Hayes and Johnson, he can sell the chance to be part of something special. Cunane will be the hardest to replace though, no doubt about it.
The 2022 WNBA Draft is April 11th.
The NC State women were a 7 seed, picked to move on over 10-seeded Princeton, but that’s not how it worked out.
The Pack women were plagued by turnovers (20) and Princeton capitalized with a late 3 to clinch the win. Highlight above.
Sad day for NC State all around.
The NC State Women’s Basketball (16-5) team moved up 5 spots in the Week 13 AP Poll, after defeating Notre Dame 69-65 yesterday, who was ranked 7th then, and ranked 9th now.
(ESPN)
ACC Teams in the Week 13 AP Poll
9. Notre Dame
11. UNC
13. Virginia Tech
15. NC State
16. Duke
23. FSU
The Wolfpack’s next game will be on Thursday night on the road at Georgia Tech at 8pm on ACC Network.
#20 NC State picked up a much needed win last night against Miami, defeating the Hurricanes 71-61 in PNC Arena, avoiding a 3-game skid.
Sophomore Guard Saniya Rivers led the pack with 14 points, 6 steals, 3 rebounds and 3 assists.
As long as she keeps working, @PackWomensBball Saniya Rivers ( @Ihoop___22 ) is going to be a really fun @wnba player to cover in a few years.
(Until then, I’ll enjoy watching her, @haileyvanlith , NC State & @LouisvilleWBB on ABC Sunday at 1pm et.)— Rebecca Lobo (@RebeccaLobo) January 19, 2023
Seniors Camille Hobby and Mimi Collins both had 11 points.
Sophomore Guard Aziaha James had 10 points, and led the Pack with 6 rebounds.
The Wolfpack was without Jada Boyd and Jessica Timmons last night, and River Baldwin went down with an injury, and will have an MRI tomorrow.
NC State is now 14-5 overall, and 4-4 in ACC play, and will play at Louisville on Sunday at 1pm on ABC.