With 20 games played and nine left, the Wolfpack sits at a current record of 19-1 overall and 8-1 in the conference, and is ranked seventh in the nation and second in the ACC behind No. 5 Louisville.
Guided by head coach Wes Moore in his seventh year in Raleigh, this 2019-2020 group has done a lot to this point and still has plenty of potential. The Pack will play nine more games before the playoffs, including a top-10 match against Louisville on Feb. 13.
Wolfpack stars
The biggest star has been sophomore center Elissa Cunane. She has been dominant in the paint, grabbing rebounds and using her size to her advantage in the post. As team’s top scorer and rebounder, she averages a double-double with 17 points and 10.6 rebounds per game. In the most recent game against North Carolina, she scored 22 points and grabbed 17 rebounds. Although her play tends to be physical post play, she also has a 41% 3-point shot.
The floor general on the court is senior point guard Aislinn Konig. She scored 16 points against UNC. Averaging just over 10 points per game, she does a great job of controlling the flow of the game, whether it is home or away. Her assist totals do not accurately describe her play style, which involves more ball handling and creating movement on offense.
Konig is also very skilled when the pressure is on to come up with the big shots. In the recent game against UNC, she came up with four 3-pointers, the final two being crucial to push the Wolfpack lead to 10. Konig also has the highest number of minutes on the team, and it really showed in the game against UNC, where she played over 37 minutes, her ninth game with less than five minutes of rest.
Need more productive bench
Although Konig’s conditioning and stamina allows her to play for that long, it is not the best solution. As the postseason approaches, each game will be taxing on a body, and as the season comes down to the final stretch, each game becomes that more important for the fight for the playoffs.
Moore also needs to find a player that could sub in for Cunane more as the postseason approaches. Her physical play in the paint becomes exhausting, and opponents have figured out by now that she is the star player, and they will throw their best player at her every time. Cunane has proven that she can handle it, but for how long?
Players Wes Moore could rely on more
Forward Jada Boyd and wing Jakia Brown-Turner are the freshman duo of the team often on the floor. Brown-Turner is another supporting member on the starting lineup and is often an option for teams that bring all their attention to Konig and Cunane. She averages just under 10 points a game, and is often a stellar defender. She can also gather a good amount of rebounds. She’ll continue to be a starter for the Pack.
Boyd, despite not starting, brings is a solid player off the bench, and is able to give Brown-Turner or even Cunane a rest when they need it. Bench players are often underestimated, but not for the Pack. As the season comes to an end, Boyd will see more action. She’s a great option as a sub for Jones or Cunane, and needs to continue to improve her skills in order to fulfill such large roles.
Moving forward
Overall, the Wolfpack has had a fantastic year, and still has plenty of basketball left to play. It will continue to fight for the top spot in the ACC and try to take it from Louisville. Florida State is behind the Pack, and is still in the hunt.
The Pack will enter a three-game road trip before taking on Louisville in Reynolds.
