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As the 2025-26 NCAA women’s basketball season hits its midpoint on January 31, 2026, the NC State Wolfpack are holding strong as contenders in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and nationally. In his 13th season, Moore has the team at a 15-6 overall record and 8-2 in ACC play, tying for third in the conference behind unbeaten leaders Louisville and Duke. They started the preseason ranked No. 9 in the AP poll but have since fallen out of the top 25, though they’re still receiving votes and hold a NET ranking of around 26. With a focus on rebounding and efficient scoring, the Wolfpack (21 games played) are eyeing another deep NCAA Tournament run, having reached the Sweet 16 five times in the last six years.

Season Snapshot and Standings

The Pack faced early tests that knocked them from the rankings by mid-December, but they’ve bounced back with key wins like an 87-61 road rout of Miami and a 106-84 blowout of Boston College on January 29—their highest scoring output of the season. Losses to elites like Duke highlight areas for growth, but their .800 ACC winning percentage keeps them in the hunt. In the stacked ACC, where Louisville (20-3, 10-0) and Duke (15-6, 10-0) dominate, NC State is tied for third. Nationally, they’re projected as a 6-8 seed for the NCAA Tournament, with upcoming games against ranked foes like No. 23 UNC offering chances to climb. The team enters February on a two-game winning streak, with strong home attendance averaging 5,013 fans per game across 10 home contests.

Notable results include a season-opening 80-77 win over Tennessee on November 4, a gritty 78-76 overtime victory at Virginia on January 24, and a dominant 110-56 neutral-site thrashing of Southern Miss on November 28. On the flip side, close losses like a 68-69 heartbreaker to USC and an 80-88 OT defeat to Louisville show their resilience in tight games.

Key Players and Roster Highlights

The 2025-26 roster features 11 players, blending returning veterans with fresh talent after losing seniors like James and Hayes. Key returnees include juniors Zoe Brooks and Khamil Pierre, while freshmen like Destiny Lunan add depth. Here’s a spotlight on top performers based on per-game averages through 21 games:

• Khamil Pierre (Forward, Jr., #12): Leading scorer at 16.4 PPG and rebounder at 11.7 RPG, with a 54.4% FG%. She’s a double-double threat, adding 1.6 APG, 1.6 steals, and 0.9 blocks. Recently named to the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Watchlist.
• Zoe Brooks (Guard, Jr., #35): Close behind at 16.3 PPG, with 4.8 APG and 5.1 RPG. Her 84.1% FT% shines, and she’s earned USBWA National Player of the Week and ACC Player of the Week honors for her scoring her career-high 37 points against Virginia.
• Zamareya Jones (Guard, So., #3): Averaging 14.8 PPG on 42.8% shooting, including 39.2% from three (47 made). She adds 3.8 APG and 3.6 RPG, emerging as a perimeter scorer.
• Qadence Samuels (Guard, Jr., #2): Contributing 6.3 PPG on 35.3% shooting, with 4.8 RPG and versatility after transferring from UConn.
• Tilda Trygger (Forward, So., #18): At 6’6″, she brings size to the frontcourt, averaging 12.2 PPG on an impressive 55.0% FG%, along with 8.2 RPG and 1.5 blocks per game in 30.7 minutes.

Other notables: Junior center Mallory Collier (2.1 PPG), junior forward Maddie Cox (3.3 PPG, 3.1 RPG), and freshmen guards Destiny Lunan (5.4 PPG) and Adelaide Jernigan (2.4 PPG) for future upside. The bench includes guards like Devyn Quigley (3.7 PPG), adding shooting. Sophomore center Lorena Awou was indefinitely suspended from the team and eventually removed from the roster.,

Stats Breakdown: How NC State Stacks Up

The Wolfpack’s stats reveal an offensive powerhouse with rebounding strength but room for defensive improvement. They’ve outscored opponents by +12.0 PPG overall, with a +8.7 rebounding margin.

Team Offense

• Points Per Game (PPG): 78.9 (top-35 in NCAA) – Top-tier in the ACC, exceeding the conference average of ~72 PPG. They’ve scored 100+ twice, including 110 vs. Southern Miss.
• Field Goal Percentage (FG%): 45.1% – Above NCAA average (~41%), competitive in ACC.
• Three-Point Percentage (3P%): 31.4% – Mid-pack nationally, with 132 made threes (6.3 per game).
• Assists Per Game (APG): 15.3 – Top-50 in NCAA, showing strong team play.
• Free Throw Percentage (FT%): 74.3% – Solid, with 12.0 made per game.

Team Defense

• Points Allowed Per Game: 66.9 (225th in NCAA) – A weak spot, ranking lower in the ACC where elites allow under 60. They’ve held foes under 60 six times, including 46 vs. Stanford.
• Opponent FG%: 39.0% – Solid, holding teams below 40%.
• Rebounds Per Game (RPG): 44.8 total vs. opponents’ 36.0 (+8.7 margin) – Top-20 nationally, a key strength, led by 265 offensive boards.
• Steals and Blocks: 6.0 steals, 3.9 blocks per game – Average in ACC but bolstered by Pierre’s contributions (team totals: 126 steals, 81 blocks).
• Turnover Margin: +0.2 – With 12.1 TO per game and an assist/TO ratio of 1.3.

Relative to the ACC, NC State leads in rebounding margin but trails in defensive efficiency. Nationally, their scoring (35th) supports tournament projections, but better defense could return them to the top 25.

Outlook and Final Thoughts

Moore’s squad is powered by Pierre and Brooks leading the charge. With the ACC Tournament in March and NCAA bids on the line, tightening defense (allowing 66.9 PPG vs. NCAA ~65) could spark a surge. Key games ahead will define their path—expect the Pack to battle for another deep run. Go Pack!