After a win over number 19 Florida State last night, N.C. State women's basketball is back on the track I laid out in this article. The track was based on the road State took in 2010 to make the NCAA tournament. The goal is to finish the regular season at least at 9 and 9 and make the ACC tournament finals. In 2010 the team finished the regular season 7 and 7 and made the ACC tournament finals thus earning a bid to the NCAA tournament.

Last night State beat FSU 76-69. Kody Burke scored 26 points going 7-11 from the field; Markeisha Gatling scored 14 points going 7-13 from the field; and Le'nique Brown had 13 points along with 7 rebounds and 9 assist. Brown played 31 minutes. State is 5 and 1 over their last six games.

And Now: Conway Twitty

In the article referenced above, I pointed out how State could finish the regular season 9 and 9. I wrote that State should start by beating Boston College (away), and then follow this with wins over Wake Forest (home), Clemson (home), GaTech (home), Miami (home), UVA (home) and Clemon (road). I thought that State would most likely lose to FSU (road) and UNC (road). Of course State immediately lost to Boston College causing many to say "oh well". However, State beat FSU last night to make up for the loss at BC. Beating FSU was better as they are a nationally ranked team.

Right now State at 5 and 8 is seventh in the conference standings. State's RPI is 103 and their SOS is 70 (WarrenNolan). State is 1 and 5 against teams in the top 50 RPI wise, and 3 and 5 against teams 51-100 RPI wise. State has no losses against teams above 201 in the RPI. State's RPI is not very good, but if the team gets to 7 and 8 in the conference another look at their RPI is reasonable. State has to win at least three games in the ACC tournament if they finish 9 and 9 or even 10 and 8 in the conference so that their RPI rises to the point that they can earn a bid to the NCAA tournament.

Hope lives!