The women’s basketball team was comfortably near the bottom of the ACC a week into February, until the Hoops for Hope game against Boston College.
The team came out in pink jerseys and worked the Eagles, getting revenge for a 60-59 loss earlier in the season at Boston College. With the pink jerseys still intact, the Wolfpack defeated Miami and Wake Forest on Feb. 14 and Feb. 17, respectively.
But a victory in tonight’s game at North Carolina would outweigh any of N.C. State’s wins in the past three games — or perhaps all season.
While the pink jerseys are probably done since “Think Pink” week is over, State is in desperate need of continuing its winning streak — in terms of ACC positioning and the NCAA Tournament.
Three-game winning streakIt’s the third time this season State has won at least three games in a row; however, this three-game winning streak is by far the most important.
The Pack was struggling just past the midpoint of ACC play when the team was at 2-6 in the conference. But after the Hoops for Hope game, and after three consecutive games with pink jerseys, the team has moved to 5-6 in the league and within striking distance of three teams who are 6-6 in the conference.
Last time against UNCMinutes into the second half of the Jan. 13 game in Reynolds Coliseum, the team trailed North Carolina 45-44 after a Khadijah Whittington bucket. From there, the Tar Heels took control of the game and never gave the Pack too much of a chance.
Whittington led the team with 15 points and nine rebounds, but she also had six turnovers in the 79-70 loss.
After the game, Whittington said the Tar Heels’ style of play makes it extremely tough on opponents.
“It was very physical down there both ways,” Whittington said. “We knew that coming into the game. We just have to adjust to physical players like Erlana [Larkins]. We know she’s a physical person, and we didn’t trap her much. But I thought we did a good job of pushing her and making her face up.”
NCAA hopes?Just more than two weeks ago, the women’s basketball team and its NCAA Tournament hopes appeared slim.
At 2-6 in the conference and 14-9 overall, State needed some wins, quickly.
In the past couple of weeks, the Pack has gotten just that. After defeating Boston College 60-41 in the third annual Hoops for Hope game, State took down Miami on Feb. 14 and then Wake Forest on Feb. 17.
Now, at 5-6 in the conference, State is in eighth place in the ACC, but only half a game out of a tie for fifth place. A 7-7 finish in the conference would likely earn State a bid in the NCAA Tournament. However, with two of its three final games against North Carolina and Maryland, State would need an upset and a win at Clemson.
Last 5 against UNCJan 13, 2008 Home L, 79-70March 4, 2007 ACC Tournament L, 60-54Feb. 16, 2007 Home W, 72-65Jan. 21, 2007 Away L, 86-65March 4, 2006 ACC Tournament L, 90-69
Last 5 at UNCJan. 21, 2007 L, 86-65Feb. 2, 2006 L, 75-61Feb. 20, 2005 L, 75-72 (OT)Feb. 8, 2004 W, 62-54Jan. 5, 2003 L, 80-59
ACC StandingsTeam ACCNorth Carolina 12-0Maryland 12-1Duke 10-3Virginia 8-4Georgia Tech 6-6Boston College 6-6Florida State 6-6N.C. State 5-6Clemson 3-9Miami 2-10Wake Forest 2-11Virginia Tech 1-11Source: ACC
