The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/743343
82 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BASKETBALL PREVIEW 2016-17 BY BRIAN RAPP T he memory is still fresh on the minds of every player, coach and follower of NC State's women's basketball program. The memory of a Monday night last March that began full of hopeful expecta- tions for the 23rd berth in the NCAA Tour- nament in program history, a reward for a 20-win season, a fifth-place finish in the At- lantic Coast Conference and the first sweep of rivals Duke and North Carolina in nearly two decades. And the memory of that same night end- ing in shocked surprise and disappointment when 64 teams were announced — and NC State was not among them. "It was a hard pill to swallow," head coach Wes Moore said. "I know there probably hasn't been a day gone by this past year that I haven't thought of it. It was very disap- pointing when you look at the numbers and the history. "I don't think there's ever been an ACC team with 10 conference wins that didn't get a bid. We finished tied for fifth (with Miami), and they get a five seed, and we don't get any, even a 10 or something." While admitting that the Pack's 11 losses, which included defeats at the hands of un- SOMETHING TO PROVE Last Season's NCAA Snub Is Fueling The Wolfpack's Motivation Head coach Wes Moore could have four seniors in his starting lineup, including a pair of 2016 second-team All-ACC guards in Miah Spencer and Dominique Wilson. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN