The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1306549
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 ■ 33 2020-2021 WOMEN'S BASKETBALL PREVIEW She was incredibly efficient, too. In an average of just 27.3 minutes per game, she led the ACC in rebounding, while her 54.7 field goal percentage was tied for third in the league. Cunane was the only player in the confer- ence to finish the regular season averaging a double-double and was the lone ACC com- petitor to rank in the top six of the league in scoring (sixth), rebounding (first) and field goal percentage (tied for third). Although her position prevents her from taking many shots from the perimeter, she also led the team with a 44.7 three-point field goal percentage on 38 attempts (not enough to qualify for the league leaders). Addition- ally, her 79.1 success rate on free throws ranked eighth in the conference — and she was second in the ACC by earning 201 at- tempts from the charity stripe. "She's a special player," Moore said. "To be able to step out and knock down threes, to be able to score around the basket, block shots and be a presence on defense, she wears a lot of hats for us." An early season contender for ACC Player of the Year in 2019-20, Cunane began to attract greater attention from opposing de- fenses in conference play. She was chal- lenged the most when she was matched up against big, physical centers that she was unable to beat with her length alone. Now entering her third collegiate season after an elongated summer, Moore noted she's worked hard to improve her strength and speed to become even more durable in the post. "I think she's in the best shape of her life right now," Moore said. "I like the way she's moving. She's had, at times, some knee is- sues, aching, things like that. I think she's in a pretty good place right now; we've just got to make sure we stay on top of that and we try to manage her time a little bit. "We've got some good depth behind her as well." On top of the improvements she's made in the weight room and through training, she's also worked on making better use of her su- perior skill set compared to opposing players at her position. A strong shooter for a 6-5 center with no doubts about her toughness around the rim, the head coach wants her to lean into the versatile elements of her game. "We talked last year from a technical standpoint about how she needed to really work on the baby hook," Moore said. "I thought late in the season she utilized it. She's really doing a great job with it now, it's a great weapon for her." Cunane's sophomore season proved to be a breakout year for the All-American center. With an impressive list of accomplishments already under her belt, this winter will be about maintaining the strong segments of her game while also finding ways to improve in other areas. "We're excited about what she's going to Senior guard Kai Crutchfield leads all returners with 46 made three-pointers and shot 35.7 percent from deep last year. PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE ATHLETICS