The undefeated NC State women’s basketball team will take on the Elon Phoenix at home in Reynolds Coliseum this Sunday, and it seems like it should be another routine victory for the Wolfpack.
The Phoenix sits at No. 2 in the Colonial Athletic Conference with a 3-4 record. As of right now, it is posting 62.2 points per game with a 39.3 field-goal percentage, 35 rebounds per game and 11.1 assists per game. Its offense is not the most productive. In fact, its opponents have put up higher averages in every category mentioned, but those differences can also be chalked up to poor defense.
The Phoenix defense is one of its weakest points, allowing 69.6 points per game, only stealing the ball 7.4 times per game compared to its opponents’ 8.7, and being out-blocked by opponents by two (2.3 to 4.3).
The Wolfpack, is currently ranked No. 9 in the AP Poll and has definitely proven itself as a force to be reckoned with. The team boasts a potent offense with plenty of depth and a stalwart defense that has only allowed 53.8 points per game.
Sophomore Elissa Cunane has been the top scorer on the team, averaging 15 points per game, but that’s not the only stat column she’s the leader in. Her rebounding is unmatched, averaging 10.4 rebounds a game, making herself a walking double-double. What’s even crazier is that she’s leading in both of these categories while only averaging 23.5 minutes per game, the lowest of any starter. The Phoenix defense will have its work cut out for it if she gets hot.
Other notable names are the two sharpshooters, Kai Crutchfield and Kayla Jones. Averaging 43.5% and 50% from behind the arc, respectively, these two have combined for 33 of 72 in 3-point shooting and are a deadly combination. Once they find their range, Elon will have a really difficult time stopping them.
While this may seem like an easy win for the Wolfpack, upsets are becoming more and more frequent in college basketball lately. If NC State contains and dominates like it usually does, the Pack should pull off an easy win to push to 10-0.
The game will tip off at noon on Sunday in Reynolds Coliseum.
