Women’s NCAA Tournament first round takeaways: Will Zoe Brooks play for NC State?

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The second day of the tournament is underway for the women’s NCAA Tournament. Few upsets so far as Georgia has been the only lower seed to win so far. But lots of strong performances have been on display.

Follow along for highlights from the day:

Zoe Brooks’ availability uncertain​

NC State coach Wes Moore said it was “hard to say at this point” whether junior Zoe Brooks’ will be available for the Wolfpack’s second-round game against Michigan on Sunday. The guard injured her foot midway through the third quarter in a first-round win over Tennessee on Friday evening and didn’t return to the game.

“Some of it may come down to just how she feels tomorrow,” Moore said on Saturday. “She won’t be practicing today. Taking all precautions with a boot, crutches, trying to keep weight off it.”

Brooks is the Wolfpacks’ second-leading scorer, the team leader in assists and steals and is NC State’s best free throw shooter. The junior has started 72 games during her career, and has the highest usage of any NC State player this season.

If Brooks is unable to go, Moore will likely turn to freshman Destiny “Ky’She” Lunan as a ball handler. Moore called on her after Brooks’ injury against Tennessee and the freshman finished the night with 23 minutes, the fourth-most of her career. Lunan has appeared in 30 games this season for the Wolfpack, averaging 4.5 points and 1.2 assists per game in 17 minutes of play.

“I’ve got a lot of confidence in her and I think the other players do as well,” Moore said of Lunan. “Still not the same as having Zoe out there, a junior with her experience and all that she’s done, but either way we’ll be ready to play.”

With the hit to its backcourt, NC State would likely try emphasizing the paint more, highlighting senior Khamil Pierre and exposing a potential mismatch against Michigan forward Sofilkanich. Pierre, a Vanderbilt transfer, has led the Wolfpack in scoring and rebounding this season, averaging a 17-point, 12-rebound double-double.

Especially with a homecourt advantage, the Wolverines already had the edge going into Sunday but given the talent and depth across Michigan’s backcourt — Olivia Olson, Syla Swords, Mila Holloway and Brooke Quarles Daniels — replacing a veteran like Brooks with any freshman is a tough reality for the Wolfpacks’ chances at an upset. — Chantel Jennings

Day 1 highlights​

You can read our first-day takeaways here. The most noteworthy events of the day included:

• Tennessee’s futile effort to extend its season, leaving the tournament on an eight-game losing streak of historic proportions.

• Minnesota’s 30-9 fourth quarter comeback at The Barn.

• Skylar Jones’ departure from Louisville.

• Duke withstanding a 36-point scoring barrage from Charleston’s Taryn Barbot.

How to watch​

Here’s Saturday’s guide for watching the rest of the first-round games.

This article originally appeared in The Athletic.

North Carolina State Wolfpack, Women's College Basketball

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