A few thoughts:
I owe
@LETTERL an apology after this game. I have been critical of NC State and did not consider the team a true contender. While I do not believe the race is over, I would rank NC State #1 moving forward. The win and respect were earned.
With that said, State played fairly well and Louisville played poorly. Those things aren’t independent, and both teams’ defense was impressive, but this was not the slugfest I think many expevted
I thought Cunane was exceptional in her first game back. The stat lines of the remaining players were not otherworldly efficient, but it is very difficult to find a night where two of Brown-Turner/Boyd/Jones are off their game.
I had chosen Louisville to win because of their guard prowess. Evans was the best player on the floor, but the other guards did not and do not appear capable of taking over the game. I thought Hailey Van Lith, Smith, and Balogun might be able to do that.
I adore Olivia Cochran and she was reasonably productive, but some of her turnovers were dreadful and let to NC State breaking the game open. Hailey Van Lith went AWOL. Dixon was good
Let me just say this—NC State has a LOT of talent in its primary rotation of 6. I think guard depth, and the lack of a true big (Hobby only 6’1” inside) should Cunane find foul trouble or injury are the greatest issues for the Pack in the national championship hunt.
In my opinion, these teams are likely to meet again in the ACC tournament. Who knows what happens then, but you’d favor State after this.
NC State does have a lot of games to make up in the conference race. Are they going to be able to get them all in? Does anyone know how that will affect the regular-season title?