Raleigh, North Carolina – MichiganOn Sunday, the players felt confident during a press conference at the Reynolds Coliseum. In the first round of the NCAA Tournament, the Spartans scored the lowest points of the season with Harvard University (three Ivy League winners) earning the worst shooting percentage of the year with a decisive 14-point victory.
So when asked about playing against a trio of second-seeded North Carolina talented security guards, the Spartans were not threatened. In fact, they can be argued to be a bit cocky.
And there's a slightly good reason. Robyn Fralick's seventh seed Spartan began his second match with NC State in 26th nationally in the defensive rating and 10th in forced turnovers per game. They believed in the ability to make things difficult for Wolfpack teams who play on their home courts.
“I don't think they're ready to defend us like Harvard,” Michigan junior guard Theryn Halllock said Sunday.
Her teammate Naira Hampton said, “They have never seen defenses like us, because our pressure is a bit unique.”
The Spartans found the hard way that they wrote a check that they couldn't cash out on Monday afternoon. North Carolina jumped over to Michigan and slammed them. The Wolfpack never allowed the Spartans to take the lead after jumping to a 27-9 lead at the end of the first quarter.
“It was one of the days. I said it a million times. I think you're the windshield. “I thought we were ready to play… I learned that I can play without getting in the way.”
Certainly, at the end of the day, these NC security guards are pretty good.
NC Senior Asia Hajames examined her choice as an honorable national reference by the Associated Press and USBWA by putting 26 points against this supposedly Michigan defense. All-ACC Selection Saniya Rivers was surprised WNBA She bends her athleticism and attends her ability to do just a little bit, stacking up 17 points, 8 rebounds, 2 blocks and 2 steels, going with her career-high 11 assists. And Madison Hayes proved her suspicions that she was the one who didn't vote for the All-ACC team.
“We're trying to find a way to qualify for these kids for another year, so please let us know if you have any ideas,” Moore said with a smile.
As Hayes and James led from behind the arc, NC State created a 3-pointer for Program Record 15. This is the most teams ever in the NCAA Tournament Game, five more times than their previous record. The winning margin also won the biggest mark in NC State's history in a crazy match in March. The result concluded the unbeaten season of the Wolfpack at Reynolds Coliseum, extending a home winning streak to 23 games within Raleigh's historic venue.
Meanwhile, Hampton and Hallock were combined for a 1/12 shot. This loss has been Michigan's most biased since January 28, 2021.
Wolfpack punished the Spartans with relatively easy ease, despite the two starters (Tylda Trigger and Zoe Brooks) combining just five points, seven rebounds and four assists. But that wasn't a problem. This was the day NC state was brought by seniors.
Rivers, James and Hayes, who played their final game at the Reynolds Coliseum in front of a sold-out crowd on Monday afternoon, took everything personally and made a definitive statement.
They are not afraid of opposing defenses. Opposing defenses should fear them. Wolfpacks are people who knock.
“It's bittersweet, but it's not finished yet,” said Hayes, fifth-grader. “Our game speaks for itself, and that showed. You know, we just shot the ball.”
James always reminds him of classic Wesmoorianism when he plays against his opponents.
“McDonald's fries are better, hot and ready. They're just hot and ready,” James said. “It doesn't matter what situation comes to you. You were just ready.”
Moore cried out with laughter: “Yes, you were hearing one thing. That's good, yes. It worked.”
As a program, NC has been consistent with these fast food fries for some time. This week, a flight to Spokane, Washington marks its sixth trip to Sweet 16 in the past seven NCAA tournaments.
The challenge awaiting Wolfpack is to move forward from Spokane and make a back-to-back Final Four for the first time. That way, you have tough opponents, but anything is possible for NC State when security guards play like this.
