Honestly, if you aren’t paying attention to North Carolina State women basketball, you're missing the most consistent show in Raleigh. For decades, this program lived in the massive, looming shadow of the legendary Kay Yow. That’s a heavy burden to carry. Yow was more than a coach; she was a North Carolina institution who racked up 737 wins and took the Pack to the Final Four in 1998.
But things changed.
After Yow’s passing and a few rocky years, Wes Moore showed up in 2013. He didn't just "fix" the team. He turned Reynolds Coliseum into a house of horrors for visiting teams. Fast forward to 2026, and the Wolfpack isn't just a "good" ACC team anymore. They are a national powerhouse that expects to be in the conversation for a #1 seed every single March.
The Wes Moore Effect and That 2024 Breakthrough
People sort of forget how close this team came to the mountaintop recently. The 2023-24 season was a fever dream for Wolfpack fans. They weren't even ranked in the preseason AP Poll. Can you believe that? They went from unranked to the Final Four, knocking off heavyweights like Stanford and Texas along the way.
That run proved Wes Moore’s system—heavy on guard play and high-screen efficiency—works on the biggest stage. By the time they hit the 2024-25 season, the secret was out. They shared the ACC Regular Season Championship with Notre Dame, finishing with a 16-2 conference record.
Moore has this way of finding players that other big programs overlook. He’s not always hunting the five-star "one-and-dones." He looks for toughness. He looks for girls who can shoot the lights out and won't back down when South Carolina or UConn comes to town.
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Who’s Running the Floor Right Now?
If you’re watching the 2025-26 squad, the names have changed a bit, but the energy is the same. Zoe Brooks is basically the engine of this car. As a junior, she’s evolved from a spark-plug freshman into a legitimate All-American candidate. She’s the type of guard who can drop 30 on you in a double-overtime thriller—like she did against Notre Dame—and then lock down your best player on the other end.
Then you've got the length. Tilda Trygger, the 6'6" sophomore from Sweden, is a matchup nightmare. It’s not just her height; it’s the fact that she can move like a wing.
- Zoe Brooks (Junior): The primary playmaker. High basketball IQ and elite finishing.
- Saniya Rivers (Legacy): Even after her departure, her impact on the defensive culture remains the blueprint.
- Khamil Pierre (Junior): A physical presence in the paint that gives the Pack their "grit."
- Zamareya Jones (Sophomore): Lightning fast and a nightmare in transition.
The Reynolds Coliseum Magic
You can’t talk about North Carolina State women basketball without talking about the "Old Barn." Reynolds Coliseum underwent a massive $35 million renovation a few years back, and it basically turned the arena into a pressure cooker.
Capacity is around 5,500. It sounds small compared to NBA arenas, but that’s the point. It’s loud. It’s intimate. The fans are practically on top of the court. In 2024-25, the Wolfpack went a perfect 18-0 at home. Teams like Louisville and UNC come into Reynolds and they just look... rattled.
There's a specific kind of "Wolfpack Energy" there. It’s a mix of respect for the history—the Kay Yow court, the banners—and a modern, aggressive style of play that the students absolutely love.
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What the Critics Get Wrong
The biggest misconception about NC State is that they "peak" too early. Critics love to point to the 2022 Elite Eight loss to UConn as a sign they can't win the "big one."
That’s a tired narrative.
The 2024 Final Four run effectively killed that talk. This program has won three of the last six ACC Tournaments (2020, 2021, 2022) and grabbed a regular-season share in 2025. They aren't "sneaking up" on anyone anymore. They are the hunted.
Recent Success by the Numbers
| Achievement | Year(s) |
|---|---|
| NCAA Final Four | 1998, 2024 |
| ACC Tournament Champs | 2020, 2021, 2022 |
| ACC Regular Season Champs | 2022, 2025 |
| Sweet Sixteen Appearances | 5 of the last 6 seasons |
Why the Future Looks Scary (For Everyone Else)
Recruiting hasn't slowed down. Wes Moore is landing local North Carolina talent like Adelaide Jernigan and pulling in international stars who fit the "Wolfpack way." The 2025-26 season has seen them stay in the top 10 consistently, even after losing veteran leaders like Madison Hayes and Aziaha James.
The depth is the real story. In the past, if the stars had an off night, the Pack was in trouble. Now? They’ve got a rotation 9 or 10 deep. Sophomores like Lorena Awou and Devyn Quigley are seeing real minutes and producing. It’s a conveyor belt of talent.
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If you want to follow the team properly, keep an eye on their defensive rotations. Moore is a stickler for detail. If a player misses a back-door cut, they’re hearing about it. That discipline is why they stay competitive even when their shots aren't falling.
Real Talk for Fans
If you're planning to catch a game, buy your tickets early. Reynolds sells out almost every weekend game now. The atmosphere for the UNC rivalry game is legitimately one of the best in all of college sports—not just women's hoops.
The trajectory of North Carolina State women basketball is pointing straight up. They’ve moved past being a "feel-good story" and have cemented themselves as an elite destination.
To stay ahead of the curve with the Wolfpack, you should track their defensive efficiency ratings throughout the ACC schedule. Historically, when NC State holds opponents under 60 points, their win percentage is nearly 90%. Focus on how the junior class of Brooks and Pierre manages late-game situations, as their veteran leadership will be the deciding factor in whether the Pack makes it back to the Final Four in 2026. Keep an eye on the mid-February stretch of road games; that's where the ACC title will be won or lost.
Actionable Insights for Following the Pack:
- Download the GoPack App: It's the most reliable way to get live stat updates and radio broadcasts if you aren't in Raleigh.
- Watch the High Screens: Notice how the guards use the high ball screen to create mismatches; it's the core of Moore's offensive philosophy.
- Monitor the Transfer Portal: NC State has become a premier destination for top-tier talent looking for a system that rewards aggressive, two-way play.
- Check the RPI: In the modern game, strength of schedule is everything. NC State’s non-conference scheduling is intentionally brutal to prepare them for the NCAA tournament.