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North Carolina State steps into the 2024-25 NCAA women's basketball season determined to duplicate or surpass its spectacular run last April. The Wolfpack were a win away from making the national final but were stopped by South Carolina in the Final Four.
NC State coach Wes Moore will have the dynamic duo of Aziaha James and Saniya Rivers returning for another crack at the elusive national title. The team strengthened its backcourt, adding highly rated guards Zamareya Jones and Devyn Quigley.
Here's a deeper look into the Wolfpack's 2024-25 college basketball campaign from its biggest games to the key players to watch out for.
NC State's biggest games of the 2024-25 season
North Carolina State will have a challenging schedule for the 2024-25 season, starting with South Carolina in a Final Four rematch on Nov. 10. Following their game against the Gamecocks, the Wolfpack will face 2024 NCAA Tournament qualifier Kent State and WBIT invitee TCU on Nov. 14 and 17, respectively.
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They will host Ole Miss in the ACC-SEC Challenge on Dec. 5 and visit Louisville on Dec. 15 in the Jimmy V Classic. The team will end its nonconference slate against JMU on Dec. 19.
In ACC play, NC State will meet Wake Forest twice in a home-and-home format. The Wolfpack will host Boston College, Clemson, Duke, Miami, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Virginia and Virginia Tech and visit California, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Louisville, North Carolina, SMU, Stanford and Syracuse.
Top NC State players to watch out for in the 2024-25 season
#1. Aziaha James
Aziaha James was the team's breakout star last season. The 5-foot-9 guard out of Virginia Beach started in all 38 games for the Wolfpack, averaging 16.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.0 steals per game.
James, who made 2.0 3-pointers per contest, will continue to be NC State's top perimeter gunner this coming season.
#2. Saniya Rivers
Saniya Rivers is coming off an excellent season, tallying 12.5 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 3.7 apg and 2.1 spg. Her exploits on the defensive end have fuelled the Wolfpack offense last year.
The 6-1 guard is expected to reprise her role as the team's all-around wizard as she can pad the stat line with crazy numbers every game.
#3. Zamareya Jones
Five-star recruit Zamareya Jones committed to North Carolina State after a solid high school stint with North Pitt, averaging 25.3 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 5.3 apg and 4.2 spg. The 5-11 guard played in the Jordan Brand Classic and was a McDonald's All-American.
Jones is expected to form a three-headed backcourt combo with James and Rivers this season.
Predictions for NC State's 2024-25 season
NC State will remain one of the powerhouse teams in the ACC this season, alongside Notre Dame and Virginia Tech. Wolfpack coach Wes Moore has assembled a deep rotation to rule the conference and make another run in the NCAA Tournament.
Expect the Wolfpack to win at least 25 games in the regular season, clinch an at-large berth in the NCAA Tournament and be one of the teams that could be in the thick of the title picture this year.
Will NC State make the 2025 NCAA Tournament? Let us know your views in the comments section.
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