ACC 2024-25 Season

[DallasDomer]

Have been following WCBB for over 40 years (yeah i'm old ) I've never seen a player with a motor like O squared

I don't want to argue because the season is far from over and defense is important but some of Duke's losses are mind boggling. USF 65 Duke 56 for example along with the UNC 53-46 loss. It seems that Duke can be slowed down offensively leading to their four losses.

 

[cancontent]

I don't want to argue because the season is far from over and defense is important but some of Duke's losses are mind boggling. USF 65 Duke 56 for example along with the UNC 53-46 loss. It seems that Duke can be slowed down offensively leading to their four losses.

All teams can have mind boggling losses. Notre Dame had a couple themselves this season. It happens and with a young team like Duke, it can be expected.

They need to work through and learn how to deal with the adversity. It doesn't take away from the fact the team looks to be trending in the right direction with players that are Coach Lawson's recruits versus the program she inherited.

 

[triaddukefan]

I don't want to argue because the season is far from over and defense is important but some of Duke's losses are mind boggling. USF 65 Duke 56 for example along with the UNC 53-46 loss. It seems that Duke can be slowed down offensively leading to their four losses.

South Florida was the only bad loss of the season. Came after the exam break and right after the game the team headed their separate ways for the Christmas break. The Bulls would get grilled if the two teams played again. Chapel Hill..... everyone knows that is a throw out the record book game and was gonna be a slugfest in Chapel Hill. Chapel Hill has a good defense..

 

[WBBTakeover]

DIdn't know what to expect from VT against #3 ND, but a 16-point game (spread was 18.5) ain't that bad.

Carys Baker continues to impress in her true sophomore season. Nice braids, too.

 

[DallasDomer]

DIdn't know what to expect from VT against #3 ND, but a 16-point game (spread was 18.5) ain't that bad.

Carys Baker continues to impress in her true sophomore season. Nice braids, too.

VT started off hitting everything but then slowed down. They gave coach Duffy all they had but not enough and it ended about as expected.

The game began with what I thought was normal officiating, then it looked like the refs were napping, then they started calling everything imaginable. Both teams suffered from trying to adjust to how they were calling. Did anyone else notice this or was it in my head?

Hidalgo went crazy in the second half ending up with 30 points. It seems like ND can score its way to a win no matter what. They just have too many weapons and coach Ivey seems to find different scorers to supplement the team, tonight it was Karlen hitting 3's.

 

[WBBTakeover]

Hannah never ceases to amaze! She covers the ENTIRE court. What a talent!

 

[nwhoopfan]

Anyone have Boston College beating Clemson by 30 on their bingo card today?

 

[WBBTakeover]

Wake is awful (and they shouldn't be, but that's a conversation for another day), but they have two solid 6'3ish posts (Hinds and Cowles) who each have at least one year of eligibility remaining. Interesting.

 

[triaddukefan]

This clip ljust reminds you that these are 18-21 year old kids (young ladies) at the end of the day





Nice Pink Shoes... hopefully they will stomp a few mudholes in Reynolds on Monday night

 

[WBBTakeover]

This clip ljust reminds you that these are 18-21 year old kids (young ladies) at the end of the day





Nice Pink Shoes... hopefully they will stomp a few mudholes in Reynolds on Monday night

Need this win to get into serious discussions for a #2 seed. While the ACC Network analysts are favoring NC State (and they will be wrong, IMO), I know who I'm rocking with tomorrow.

 

[FanInNC]

ESPNs match up predictor says 56% chance Duke wins tomorrow. Warrennolan projects State by 3.

I don’t put a lot of stock in any of that stuff - spreads always seem way off in women’s basketball for some reason.

State needs a hot start. Things can look so easy when James is hitting her shots, but when they don’t fall early State can get itself in a hole and against Duke you don’t wanna be playing catch up.

Should be a great atmosphere- the play for Kay game is always one of the best games to attend all year.

 

[LETTERL]

NC State wins a thriller against Duke, 89-83. NC State led 24-14...then Duke went on a 20-0 run and led by 10+ points for most of the 2nd and 3rd quarters...then NC State got going again. Career high 36 points for Aziaha James.

More importantly...we stay a game behind Notre Dame and own the tie-breaker now against Duke. A gauntlet lies ahead for the Wolfpack Women; this game plus 4 of the next 5 all against ranked teams will let us know where NC State sits in the ACC pecking order.

 

[FanInNC]

Great atmosphere last night and a great game! Unfortunately for triad and Duke the mud hole was only stomped for a 5 minute stretch in the 2nd quarter when Duke went on a 20-0 run…the other 35 minutes the Pack outscored the Devils by 26.

Really impressed with Dukes intensity, as always under Kara. State had 12 first half turnovers, many totally unforced, just mystifying passes to no one in particular. Some real lazy passes and inexplicable moments. I think Dukes pressure played a factor mentally in those moments. Duke dominated the offensive glass in the first half exposing State’s biggest weakness. And Jackson was feeling it from deep, as well as Mair.

The thing about full court pressure is that it speeds a team up. It makes you play fast. You have to make plays off the bounce and can’t get into half court actions easily. For a lot of teams that is an issue for sure. We saw it in the UNC game with Duke where it was a rock fight. Duke gives up 49 a game - so it works! But when a team has guards who can thrive playing fast and create offense off the dribble for themselves, it can backfire. Azaiah James showed that.

She had some careless turnovers and was benched in the first half for a stretch - but she made it happen. Extremely efficient night for her 15-19 from the field, she was able to get whatever she wanted when she got the ball in her hands against a full court stretched out D. I thought Saniya Rivers also had some big time buckets moreso against that set half court D where she went one on one, particularly in the 3rd when State was trying to claw back in it.

And then down the stretch Lorena Awou gave State a boost. She helped neutralize the rebounding of Duke, made things harder for Fournier and played well off the pick and roll game for some big buckets.

I was told to let someone know when State beat someone in the current top 25. Hanging 89 on 61% shooting against a top 10 team who makes their living on defense … does that count ?

 

[cancontent]

Great atmosphere last night and a great game! Unfortunately for triad and Duke the mud hole was only stomped for a 5 minute stretch in the 2nd quarter when Duke went on a 20-0 run…the other 35 minutes the Pack outscored the Devils by 26.

Really impressed with Dukes intensity, as always under Kara. State had 12 first half turnovers, many totally unforced, just mystifying passes to no one in particular. Some real lazy passes and inexplicable moments. I think Dukes pressure played a factor mentally in those moments. Duke dominated the offensive glass in the first half exposing State’s biggest weakness. And Jackson was feeling it from deep, as well as Mair.

The thing about full court pressure is that it speeds a team up. It makes you play fast. You have to make plays off the bounce and can’t get into half court actions easily. For a lot of teams that is an issue for sure. We saw it in the UNC game with Duke where it was a rock fight. Duke gives up 49 a game - so it works! But when a team has guards who can thrive playing fast and create offense off the dribble for themselves, it can backfire. Azaiah James showed that.

She had some careless turnovers and was benched in the first half for a stretch - but she made it happen. Extremely efficient night for her 15-19 from the field, she was able to get whatever she wanted when she got the ball in her hands against a full court stretched out D. I thought Saniya Rivers also had some big time buckets moreso against that set half court D where she went one on one, particularly in the 3rd when State was trying to claw back in it.

And then down the stretch Lorena Awou gave State a boost. She helped neutralize the rebounding of Duke, made things harder for Fournier and played well off the pick and roll game for some big buckets.

I was told to let someone know when State beat someone in the current top 25. Hanging 89 on 61% shooting against a top 10 team who makes their living on defense … does that count ?

Sometimes I wish we could use multiple emojis or reactions to posts. Several points in your reply deserve a like (press causing teams to rush, James and Awou's performance at critical parts of the game). The last paragraph deserves a laughing reaction because that got me chuckling while sipping my coffee

 

[FanInNC]

I'm a State fan, that includes the men's team and State runs a very similar style in men's basketball as to what Kara does with Duke. I see a lot of the pressure defense and unfortunately I see a lot of blow by lay ups because of that pressure at times when watching my Wolfpack men. It's a fun style to watch when it's working, and against more finesse teams or teams that don't like physicality or rely on offensive sets - it wins you games and leads to lots of easy points in transition. But when you play a team with good guards who play well one on one, man it can be frustrating.

The pressure got to State at times, I thought they had some just horrific turnovers in portions of the game. And in that 2 and a half minute stretch to start the 2nd when Wes went to his bench we saw what happened. Duke went on a 14-0 run in 2 minutes of action! Maddie Cox played 2 minutes and had a +/- of -14!!

But a player like Azaiah James or Zoe Brooks and sometimes Saniya Rivers - that type of game can play into their hands. Especially James. She had 36 last night, she had 33 last year against them one game. A large part of why State shot 61% was because they were getting buckets mid range and in. They only made 4 three's all game and scored 89.

I really think Awou can be great down the road. She has the size and athleticism. She's just super raw. If she is posted up, she's likely to travel. She can't make free throws. At this point she can be a liability on offense. But you get her in pick and rolls and on the move and she's pretty darn good. She's obviously not ready yet - but she could be a good one for the Pack down the road.

And that last line is all in fun. I have a lot of respect for Duke's team and they are coming into their own with a lot of young pieces that will only get better this year and even more so in the next couple of years. But...let's not forget who is has been the big bad wolf in the triangle for the last 5 or 6 years.

 

[cancontent]

I'm a State fan, that includes the men's team and State runs a very similar style in men's basketball as to what Kara does with Duke. I see a lot of the pressure defense and unfortunately I see a lot of blow by lay ups because of that pressure at times when watching my Wolfpack men. It's a fun style to watch when it's working, and against more finesse teams or teams that don't like physicality or rely on offensive sets - it wins you games and leads to lots of easy points in transition. But when you play a team with good guards who play well one on one, man it can be frustrating.

The pressure got to State at times, I thought they had some just horrific turnovers in portions of the game. And in that 2 and a half minute stretch to start the 2nd when Wes went to his bench we saw what happened. Duke went on a 14-0 run in 2 minutes of action! Maddie Cox played 2 minutes and had a +/- of -14!!

But a player like Azaiah James or Zoe Brooks and sometimes Saniya Rivers - that type of game can play into their hands. Especially James. She had 36 last night, she had 33 last year against them one game. A large part of why State shot 61% was because they were getting buckets mid range and in. They only made 4 three's all game and scored 89.

I really think Awou can be great down the road. She has the size and athleticism. She's just super raw. If she is posted up, she's likely to travel. She can't make free throws. At this point she can be a liability on offense. But you get her in pick and rolls and on the move and she's pretty darn good. She's obviously not ready yet - but she could be a good one for the Pack down the road.

And that last line is all in fun. I have a lot of respect for Duke's team and they are coming into their own with a lot of young pieces that will only get better this year and even more so in the next couple of years. But...let's not forget who is has been the big bad wolf in the triangle for the last 5 or 6 years.

Duly noted and appreciated. I have a lot of respect for Coach Moore and what he has done with this program.

Regarding Awou, raw is an understatement. However, considering she only started playing basketball in high school, she's excelling. Especially when you consider she's getting more time than others who have had more basketball playing experience. Will be fun to watch her over the course of her basketball career.

 

[FanInNC]

Duly noted and appreciated. I have a lot of respect for Coach Moore and what he has done with this program.

Regarding Awou, raw is an understatement. However, considering she only started playing basketball in high school, she's excelling. Especially when you consider she's getting more time than others who have had more basketball playing experience. Will be fun to watch her over the course of her basketball career.

Are you a State fan?

And agree on Wes, on the way back from the game last night I was talking with my brother about what a remarkable job he has done at State. Wolfpack women's hoops has a proud history but was dwindling quite a bit at the end of Coach Yow's career and then Harper didn't work out. When I was in school at State it was not a thing to go a women's game. There was no hype around the program. To see the atmosphere there on a nightly basis now and the excitement the program has built - Wes deserves a ton of credit. He didn't inherit a lot, and he didn't do it by snagging up top 5 classes. He's built the program from the ground up and now is starting to recruit at a higher level after the success his teams have had.

Rooting for State for 40 years isn't a walk in the park. In football and men's basketball we are just a faceless program that pretty much wallow in mediocracy. It's really cool to follow what the women's team has done, not just be a flash in the pan with one or 2 good years, but to build your brand into a program that can be recognized and thought of as a solid one people can associate with winning. He's raised the bar in that regard and I'm sure will have a banner in the rafters one day and maybe even a statue because of it.

 

[cancontent]

Are you a State fan?

And agree on Wes, on the way back from the game last night I was talking with my brother about what a remarkable job he has done at State. Wolfpack women's hoops has a proud history but was dwindling quite a bit at the end of Coach Yow's career and then Harper didn't work out. When I was in school at State it was not a thing to go a women's game. There was no hype around the program. To see the atmosphere there on a nightly basis now and the excitement the program has built - Wes deserves a ton of credit. He didn't inherit a lot, and he didn't do it by snagging up top 5 classes. He's built the program from the ground up and now is starting to recruit at a higher level after the success his teams have had.

Rooting for State for 40 years isn't a walk in the park. In football and men's basketball we are just a faceless program that pretty much wallow in mediocracy. It's really cool to follow what the women's team has done, not just be a flash in the pan with one or 2 good years, but to build your brand into a program that can be recognized and thought of as a solid one people can associate with winning. He's raised the bar in that regard and I'm sure will have a banner in the rafters one day and maybe even a statue because of it.

No, but I have a healthy respect for various programs in the NCAA. For me it's about the sport overall moreso than specific teams.

 

[WBBTakeover]

Great atmosphere last night and a great game! Unfortunately for triad and Duke the mud hole was only stomped for a 5 minute stretch in the 2nd quarter when Duke went on a 20-0 run…the other 35 minutes the Pack outscored the Devils by 26.

Really impressed with Dukes intensity, as always under Kara. State had 12 first half turnovers, many totally unforced, just mystifying passes to no one in particular. Some real lazy passes and inexplicable moments. I think Dukes pressure played a factor mentally in those moments. Duke dominated the offensive glass in the first half exposing State’s biggest weakness. And Jackson was feeling it from deep, as well as Mair.

The thing about full court pressure is that it speeds a team up. It makes you play fast. You have to make plays off the bounce and can’t get into half court actions easily. For a lot of teams that is an issue for sure. We saw it in the UNC game with Duke where it was a rock fight. Duke gives up 49 a game - so it works! But when a team has guards who can thrive playing fast and create offense off the dribble for themselves, it can backfire. Azaiah James showed that.

She had some careless turnovers and was benched in the first half for a stretch - but she made it happen. Extremely efficient night for her 15-19 from the field, she was able to get whatever she wanted when she got the ball in her hands against a full court stretched out D. I thought Saniya Rivers also had some big time buckets moreso against that set half court D where she went one on one, particularly in the 3rd when State was trying to claw back in it.

And then down the stretch Lorena Awou gave State a boost. She helped neutralize the rebounding of Duke, made things harder for Fournier and played well off the pick and roll game for some big buckets.

I was told to let someone know when State beat someone in the current top 25. Hanging 89 on 61% shooting against a top 10 team who makes their living on defense … does that count ?

Congrats. Your team has the same number of wins against currently ranked ACC teams as Louisville and Virginia Tech (both unranked teams, by the way).

 

[cancontent]

 

[Dillon77]

ACC Men's Hoops has lost a number of established and/or long-standing coaches this year, so it's a refreshing to see a "long-timer" not only doing well, but choosing to keep on, keepin' on a bit longer.

 

[LETTERL]

ACC Men's Hoops has lost a number of established and/or long-standing coaches this year, so it's a refreshing to see a "long-timer" not only doing well, but choosing to keep on, keepin' on a bit longer.

Agreed. Nell Fortner was exactly what Georgia Tech needed and she has built a nice program there.

 

[triaddukefan]

And that last line is all in fun. I have a lot of respect for Duke's team and they are coming into their own with a lot of young pieces that will only get better this year and even more so in the next couple of years. But...let's not forget who is has been the big bad wolf in the triangle for the last 5 or 6 years.

I like State WBB and I like Coach Moore... that being said... that will be the last time State beats Duke in WBB for the foreseeable future...next 10-15 years.

Duke is gonna start running the Triangle starting tomorrow...... we are gonna be the Big Bad Blue Spirit as long as Coach Lawson is at the helm. I could be wrong... lets check back in a few years ( or until I delete this post)

 

[LETTERL]

I like State WBB and I like Coach Moore... that being said... that will be the last time State beats Duke in WBB for the foreseeable future...next 10-15 years.

Duke is gonna start running the Triangle starting tomorrow...... we are gonna be the Big Bad Blue Spirit as long as Coach Lawson is at the helm. I could be wrong... lets check back in a few years ( or until I delete this post)

If her eyes just don't pop out of their sockets.

 

[FanInNC]

I like State WBB and I like Coach Moore... that being said... that will be the last time State beats Duke in WBB for the foreseeable future...next 10-15 years.

Duke is gonna start running the Triangle starting tomorrow...... we are gonna be the Big Bad Blue Spirit as long as Coach Lawson is at the helm. I could be wrong... lets check back in a few years ( or until I delete this post)

I appreciate your style triad!

And this may not be popular among other Wolfpack faithful - but I like Coach Lawson and what type of team she puts on the court at Duke. That being said, she’s also one of the most fun coaches to beat because of her theatrics on the sidelines.