Expectations are high for new look Wolfpack in upcoming season

CHARLOTTE, NC — The ACC held its annual tipoff event for women’s college basketball on Tuesday with coaches and players from all 15 conference schools in attendance.

Representing the NC State Wolfpack at the event was none other than Head Coach Wes Moore, Senior forward Jakia Brown-Turner, and Junior guard Diamond Johnson. Last season concluded with the Wolfpack losing in double overtime to UConn in the Elite 8.

Despite being just one game away from the Final Four, NC State had yet another historic season. The Wolfpack finished first in the ACC for the first time in Coach Moore’s tenure and won the conference tournament championship for the third year in a row.

A key component to NC State’s success a year ago was their three Seniors in forward Elissa Cunane, guard Raina Perez, and forward Kayla Jones; all of which turned pro after graduating. NC State looks to replicate last year’s success, but Coach Moore isn’t trying to look too far ahead to what would be their fourth consecutive ACC Championship.

“It’s a new year, man. It’s a whole new team. We’re focused on the future. Of course, I’m confident in our players and our program but right now we all have some growing to do to come together as a team,” Moore told reporters Tuesday. “I love the great talent we have but I’m ready for the challenge of becoming a great team.”

Some of the new talent Moore is speaking of is forward Mimi Collins, who blessed the Wolfpack as a grad transfer in the transfer portal. Collins averaged 7.9 points and 4.8 rebounds in just over 25 minutes of action per game last season at Maryland. Moore has high expectations for Collins, a player he recruited heavily coming out of high school years ago.

“We’ve always thought highly of Mimi dating back to her high school days,” More said. “Last year the only true power forward we had was Jada Boyd so now I’m excited to see the dynamic between them. It’s truly great to have that frontcourt depth with her, Jada, and Camille (Hobby).”

As for breakout players to look for, forward Jakia Brown-Turner looks to be the clear No. 1 option for the Wolfpack heading into the season. Last year Brown-Turner averaged nearly 10 points and five rebounds with Cunane and Jones leading the way for NC State. The Oxon Hill native believes the deciding factor to success this year will require her to place more emphasis on being a true leader.

“It’s definitely taken me a while to be more of a vocal leader,” Brown-Turner told the media. “I’ve learned a lot from the past players and I know that my team is gonna need me to speak up and encourage them. Whether it’s scoring, rebounding, defending, or facilitating, I’m ready to help lead this team to the next level.”

Brown-Turner has been on all three of NC State’s consecutive ACC championship teams and has been a key component in their NCAA Tournament runs. Just last year she was named to the All-ACC Tournament Second Team after averaging eight points, five rebounds, and 4.3 assists a game.

Junior guard Diamond Johnson is fresh off a season where she received ACC Sixth Player of the Year honors. Johnson averaged nearly 11 points a game on 36% shooting from beyond the arc while coming off the bench. While Johnson knows that she played an integral role on last year’s squad, she has high expectations for herself heading into this year as a starter.

“I think I’m way more comfortable this year than I was last year because I was in a new role,” Johnson said. “Now I know I can’t be as laid back as before and my teammates have made that transition easier. With that, I want to take a leap as a defender and I’m highly motivated to make my presence known on that end of the floor.”

NC State fans can see the new look Wolfpack on Nov. 3 when they host UNC Pembroke in an exhibition game. The season opener will be days later on Nov. 7 at home against Quinnipiac at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh.