NC State Women’s Basketball Scouting Report: Seton Hall
Sunday, November 15, 2026 | Walsh Gymnasium, South Orange, NJ | 1:00 PM ET | ESPN+

Assumption for this report: Zoe Brooks does not play (hamstring). A dedicated “What If” section at the end covers the scenario if she is available.

Seton Hall Overview (2-1)

Seton Hall has opened the season with wins over Mercyhurst (63-37) and Indiana State (74-56) before a tough 69-67 home loss to Fairfield. They are a physical, aggressive team that thrives on steals and second-chance opportunities in Walsh Gymnasium. They are turnover-prone and have been inconsistent from three-point range.

Key players:

• Savannah Catalon (Sr, G, 5’8”): Preseason All-Big East. Primary scorer and playmaker. Exploded for 29 points (8-15 FG, 11-12 FT) and 2 steals in the Fairfield loss while drawing heavy contact. Career high-volume stealer and free-throw threat.
• Ja’Kahla Craft (Jr, G, 5’9”): Explosive two-way wing. Posted a 25-point, 12-rebound double-double vs. Indiana State (8-12 FG, 4-6 3PT). Active on the glass and in transition.
• Ari Woodard (So, G): Scoring guard who can heat up quickly (22 points vs. Mercyhurst).
• Ksenija Scepanovic (F, 6’4”): Interior presence. 15 points and 7 rebounds vs. Fairfield with shot-blocking ability.
• Supporting cast: Savanna Jones (F/C), Samari Bankhead, Saniyah King (playmaking), and energy players off the bench.

Strengths: Defensive pressure/steals, rebounding activity, physicality at home, Catalon’s scoring gravity and free-throw ability.
Weaknesses: Turnover issues, streaky three-point shooting, limited size/athleticism against elite frontcourts.

NC State Without Brooks (3-1)

The Pack beat Liberty 71-47 without Brooks, finishing on a 20-0 run. The offense is more half-court oriented and heavily centered on Khamil Pierre.

Key contributors expected:

• Khamil Pierre (Sr, F, 6’2”): Clear alpha. Averaging ~23 PPG early in the season with strong rebounding (including a 34-point outburst vs. Kentucky). Dominant interior scorer and glass cleaner. Must stay out of foul trouble.
• Desiree Wooten (G): Primary ball-handler in Brooks’ absence. Played all 40 minutes vs. Liberty (7 points, 3 assists, solid defense).
• Ky’She Lunan (G): Secondary creator and shooter (efficient 3PT threat).
• Qadence Samuels (G): Versatile wing. Career-high 11 rebounds + 4 steals vs. Liberty.
• Frontcourt depth: Khady Leye, Annsley Trivette (strong offensive rebounding vs. Liberty), Kamora Pruitt (provided 3PT spark in the fourth vs. Liberty), Maddie Cox.

Strengths without Brooks: Interior size and rebounding edge (led by Pierre), physicality, defensive length.
Challenges: Reduced transition scoring and playmaking creativity. Higher risk of stagnant half-court possessions and turnovers under pressure.

Key Matchups

1. Khamil Pierre vs. Seton Hall Frontcourt (Scepanovic/Jones and help)
   Biggest mismatch on the floor. Pierre’s scoring, rebounding, and post presence should force Seton Hall into foul trouble or double-teams. Target her early and often. Limit her fouls.
2. Desiree Wooten / Ky’She Lunan vs. Catalon + Craft
   Without Brooks, this is the critical backcourt battle. Catalon is the primary threat to get hot and draw fouls. Craft adds rebounding and secondary scoring. Wooten and Lunan must control the ball, avoid live-ball turnovers, and contest without fouling. Help defense is essential.
3. Rebounding battle (NC State size vs. Seton Hall activity)
   Seton Hall rebounded well vs. Fairfield (41-30). NC State’s length (Pierre, Leye, Trivette, Samuels) gives them the edge if they box out consistently. Second-chance points are a major swing factor.
4. Turnovers and pace
   Seton Hall generates steals. NC State must value the ball (they only had 10 turnovers vs. Liberty). Limit transition opportunities for Catalon and Craft.

Game Plan (No Brooks)

• Offense: Make it a Pierre-centric game. Get her touches in the post and on the short roll. Use Wooten and Lunan to initiate simple actions. Crash the offensive glass (Trivette showed this vs. Liberty). Take good shots and get to the free-throw line.
• Defense: Contest Catalon with length and help. Make Craft work for her looks. Force Seton Hall into contested mid-range or contested threes. Protect the paint and limit second chances.
• Physicality and discipline: Match Seton Hall’s energy on the road. Avoid early fouls on Pierre and the primary ball-handlers. Win the free-throw and turnover battle.
• Keys to the game: Out-rebound them, feed Pierre, control the ball, and make Seton Hall’s inconsistent perimeter shooting the difference.

NC State still holds a clear talent and size advantage even without Brooks. Execution and limiting Catalon’s impact will determine the margin.

What If: Zoe Brooks Is Available

If Brooks can play meaningful minutes (even 15–25), the matchup tilts more heavily in NC State’s favor:

• Playmaking and pace: Brooks is the Pack’s best open-court player and primary creator. She elevates transition scoring and half-court efficiency.
• Scoring gravity: Her ability to score and draw attention opens driving lanes and kick-outs for Pierre, Lunan, and shooters.
• Defense and steals: She adds on-ball pressure against Catalon and Craft and is a high-level free-throw shooter.
• Overall effect: The offense becomes less predictable and more explosive. Ball security and secondary scoring improve. The rebounding and size advantages remain, but with better creation the Pack can play more to its preferred style.

In this scenario, the priority remains feeding Pierre, but Brooks’ presence reduces the burden on Wooten/Lunan and makes it much harder for Seton Hall to load up defensively. The margin for error increases significantly.

Bottom line: Even without Brooks, NC State has the pieces (especially Pierre and the frontcourt) to win on the road. With her, it becomes a more comfortable matchup. Control the glass, protect the ball, and make Catalon work for everything.