Carter–Finley Stadium | NC State Wolfpack
Carter–Finley Stadium | NC State Wolfpack
The NC State women's basketball team is preparing to face Louisville in the Jimmy V Women's Classic and their ACC opener. The game will take place on Sunday at 1 p.m. and will be broadcast on ABC.
NC State enters the game on a three-game winning streak, having recently defeated Davidson with a narrow 59-57 victory. Last week, they secured their first ranked win of the season against No. 18 Ole Miss during the SEC/ACC Challenge. The team boasts the 12th toughest schedule nationally and ranks fifth among Power 4 teams.
The Wolfpack has returned to the AP Top 25 rankings, currently tied for 22nd place. Their record includes losses only to top-ranked teams: South Carolina, LSU, and TCU. They are also ranked 20th in the WBCA Coaches Poll.
Key players for NC State include Aziaha James, leading with an average of 16.7 points per game, and Madison Hayes, who averages 6.1 rebounds per game. Saniya Rivers contributes significantly in blocks and steals per game, while Zoe Brooks leads in assists.
NC State's participation in this year's Jimmy V Women's Classic marks its fifth appearance since its debut in 2002. Head Coach Wes Moore expressed his excitement: "We're super excited and honored to play in the Jimmy V Women's Classic. Coach [Jim] Valvano will always be near and dear to NC State."
Louisville was predicted to finish fourth in the ACC Preseason Poll after a previous season record of 24-10. Freshman Tajianna Roberts stands out as their leading scorer with an average of 11.3 points per game.
The historical series between NC State and Louisville is evenly matched at eight wins each. The last encounter resulted in a victory for NC State during their Play4Kay game.
Following Sunday's matchup against Louisville, NC State will return home for a non-conference game against James Madison on December 19th at Reynolds Coliseum.
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