The Wolfpack (32-3) are advancing to the Final Four for the first time since 1998 when they defeated U-Conn. The teams rarely play, which adds spice to this matchup. U verb (28-5) leads the all-time series, 6-2, and the teams last played during the 2007 NCAA tournament. U-Conn. is, of course, a persistent powerhouse in the women’s basket and has won 11 national titles (including four in a row). The huskies may have a home state advantage, but that probably won’t bother the wolf pack. North Carolina State became the first NCAA women’s team to defeat two No. 1 teams on the road in the same season when they defeated South Carolina and Louisville last year. That year, the Wolfpack defeated Indiana, then No. 6, at Bloomington and are 9-1 on the road, 6-0 on neutrals this season.
U verb is the second seed in the region, largely because Paige Buckers missed a significant portion of the season with a knee injury. Buckers, the 2021 International of the Year, also won the Naismith Trophy, Wooden Award and was USBWA Player and Freshman of the Year. She was also named to the 2021 Final Four All-Tournament Team with U-Conn. upset by Arizona in a national semifinal. Kai Crutchfield is likely charged with stopping Buckers, who was injured in December and returned to the lineup in February.
“In case you haven’t noticed, she’s got a whole lot of God-given talent and skill,” North Carolina State coach Wes Moore said of Crutchfield, who helped take Notre Dame guard Olivia Miles to six in the second half points to keep their Sweet 16 matchup on Saturday.