The 2025-26 season marks the eighth consecutive year that NC State achieved a single-digit ranking in the AP Top 25 Poll, with the Wolfpack entering the season ranked No. 9.
Head coach Wes Moore’s program has maintained consistent excellence, despite having anchor stars with different styles of play. Squads focused on an elite big like Elissa Cunane became the guard-focused groups of Saniya Rivers and Aziaha James. But the wins, conference crowns and long tournament runs kept coming.
Now, newcomer Khamil Pierre will define a Wolfpack team that appears certain to improve its No. 9 ranking, having opened the season with a thrilling victory over No. 8 Tennessee, 80-77. That will certainly be true if they prevail in the second game of the season against another ranked opponent, when NC State faces No. 18 USC in Charlotte for the Ally Tipoff at 3 p.m. ET (ESPN).
The pack led by Pierre will be a problem
Yes, the Vanderbilt transfer scored what turned out to be the game-winning basket in the opener, converting a late transition layup that clinched the victory for NC State. But it was everything Pierre did before his final bucket that put the Wolfpack in position to get the win over Tennessee, and will put them in position to rack up wins throughout the season.
The 6-foot-2 junior forward introduced the Pack faithful to her powerful offensive game, applying her combination of athleticism and skill to dominate the area around the rim while scoring 21 points. Pierre also grabbed 14 rebounds while showing defensive activity with three steals.
Her performance drew frustration, as well as high praise, from Tennessee head coach Kim Caldwell, who said afterward: “I don’t think we guarded her at all. She’s a very good transition player. I think she’s one of the best players in the country…We can’t seem to find her in an out box, and if we can stop her, she’ll go find it and put it back in.”
Moore, likewise, gushed about Pierre, saying of his new star: “Khamil (Pierre)… Exactly what we were hoping to get. Someone who can go out and get a double-double, rebound, score the ball, make some tough shots, get some big rebounds… I’m really proud.” Moore also indicated that he believes further Pierre will be the path to success for the pack, as he emphasized that he would like to see her get more touches because she has a very high finisher percentage around the basket.
However, NC State can maintain its status as one of the best teams in the sport because it also further than Peter.
That starts with his strike partner, Tilda Trygger. The 6-foot-6 Swedish sophomore forward appears to have taken a leap, showing greater comfort on the offensive end, as her smooth scoring stroke resulted in 19 points on over 60 percent shooting against Tennessee. If teams direct too much defensive attention to Pierre, Trygger can make them pay.
The Wolfpack’s prowess, however, is not limited to the attacking zone.
While the Pierre-Trygger tandem might be the best frontcourt in the ACC, so might the defense duo of Zoe Brooks and Zam Jones. The first game was uneven for the two guards, but both have stood out as drivers of success during their time in Raleigh. Junior Brooks will get her buckets from the mid-range and around the basket, while filling out the other areas of the stat sheet. Jones, now a sophomore, positioned as a bench scorer as a freshman, should be able to become a more dangerous and diverse offensive player by using her scoring threat to open up playmaking opportunities.
The top four of the pack are capable of taking on almost any team in the country. But after that, questions arise about who Moore can trust.
UConn transfer and junior Qadence Samuels have claimed the fifth starting spot, providing plenty of defensive energy. However, his non-threatening offensive game could prove problematic. Against Tennessee, Moore didn’t show much confidence in anyone else, and only sophomore guard Devin Quigley logged double-digit minutes. Although in just five minutes, freshman Ky’She Lunan showed some spark, making four shots and scoring five points in her short stint.
On Sunday afternoon, NC State’s top talent, led by Pierre, should have enough energy to get past USC.
That is, unless the Trojans and head coach Lindsay Gottlieb demonstrate the ability to maintain success amid change, just like the Wolfpack and Moore.
Can Trojans take a page from the packet?
This season, will USC’s identity be defined by the absence of JuJu Watkins? Or can Trojans establish an identity without JuJu?
Sunday presents the Trojan Women with their first true test, as a season-opening blowout against New Mexico State didn’t provide much pertinent information.
With a roster loaded with guards and wings, USC appears ill-equipped to stop NC State’s frontcourt, which will pressure the Trojans to produce a lot of points from their perimeter-based players. While it would be encouraging if freshman Jazzy Davidson had a star-studded afternoon, it seems more likely that a Trojan upset will be fueled by experienced transfers in seniors Kara Dunn and Londynn Jones. While Dunn, who spent the first three seasons of her career at Georgia Tech, is a consistent offensive operator, Jones, formerly of UCLA, can turn on every time she takes the court and swing the game toward the Trojans.
But as much as USC would like to come away from Charlotte with the upset, finding a formula that can lead to future victories would also be a worthy victory for Gottlieb and his team.