The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1419104
34 ■ THE WOLFPACKER 2021-22 WOMEN'S BASKETBALL PREVIEW freshman guards from Power Five programs to gain much-needed depth for a deep run in March. Sophomore Diamond Johnson is a for- mer five-star that transferred from Rutgers in the offseason after earning second-team All-Big Ten honors. Last season, she was the second-leading scorer for the Scarlet Knights, averaging 17.6 points per contest. Sophomore guard Madison Hayes was selected to the SEC All-Freshman team after averaging 4.7 points and 4.7 rebounds in 20.2 minutes per game during her debut season at Mississippi State. "We have two really good transfers," Perez said. "Then we have everyone return- ing. I didn't think our team could get much better. But here we are adding more people and getting better. "Everyone wants to play. Everyone wants to start. Everyone wants to play 40 minutes. That's just been pushing all of us harder in practice, just going against one another. It's been really competitive. We all know that only five can be on the court at a time, and I think that's really driving us — wanting to play." When the Pack was upset by Indiana in the Sweet Sixteen, the team wasn't at full strength due to health. Jones, an all-conference performer who started in 22 of her 23 appearances, missed two games in the tournament due to an injury she suffered in the first round. She could still be limited early in the campaign due to offseason knee surgery. In close contests last season, NC State typically went six players deep. Without Jones, the Wolfpack's depth was exposed as a vulnerability. In the three-point Sweet Sixteen defeat, the Pack bench scored two points in 21 minutes. But with the addition of talented newcom- ers ready to contribute in the opener, the team believes depth will actually be one of its strengths in 2021-22. "Coach Moore has already made it clear. Everybody is really going to have a chance to play," Cunane said. "If you are able to get on the court, you can get on the court. He's going to play a deep bench, so it's just up to the players to be prepared for that." "In March, we kind of expect to have some bruises and some aches," Perez added. "Last year, we didn't plan for injuries. We have a lot more depth this year and a lot more talent." Going Out On Top Despite the NCAA granting an extra year of eligibility to athletes in 2020, Cunane is treating the upcoming campaign — her fourth in college — like a senior season. After all, she is set to graduate next spring. And if 2021-22 ends up being her last wear- ing the red and white, she wants to be sure her time in Raleigh ends on a high note. "Off the court, I've had more of a leader- ship role to make sure everybody's ready for this year because it's kind of like my last go-around," Cunane said. "I can't have y'all Junior wing Jakia Brown-Turner led the Wolfpack with 40 three-point field goals last season and was the team's second-leading scorer, averaging 13.5 points per game. PHOTO BY ETHAN HYMAN, THE NEWS & OBSERSVER/COURTESY ACC MEDIA