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How N.C. State can weather Kaila Ealey’s injury

GREENSBORO, NC - MARCH 03: North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Kaila Ealey (2) grabs a loose ball from Louisville Cardinals guard Arica Carter (11) during the ACC women's tournament game between the NC State Wolfpack and the Louisville Cardinals on March 3, 2018, at Greensboro Coliseum Complex in Greensboro, NC. (Photo by William Howard/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
GREENSBORO, NC - MARCH 03: North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Kaila Ealey (2) grabs a loose ball from Louisville Cardinals guard Arica Carter (11) during the ACC women's tournament game between the NC State Wolfpack and the Louisville Cardinals on March 3, 2018, at Greensboro Coliseum Complex in Greensboro, NC. (Photo by William Howard/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

An injury creates new uncertainty for Wes Moore and N.C. State.

North Carolina State has been handed a situation that shifted the structure of the team. Before the first game of the season commenced, graduate student and Wolfpack starter Kaila Ealey suffered a season-ending knee injury last month.

Head Coach Wes Moore has big plans for this season: the Wolfpack currently sit 17th in the nation according to the Associated Press. Despite the loss of Chelsea Nelson and Akela Maize, the Pack was set to make a statement this season. However, adjustments to the lineup need to be made because of Ealey’s absence.

Ealey started all 35 games of the 2017-18 season.  After a significant jump in minutes from the season prior, her 33.4 minute average resulted in 8.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.2 points per game.

The loss of Ealey’s presence on the court will require NC State to fill the void of a quick guard with a strong defensive presence.  “She has a high motor on defense that leads to instant offense,” Coach Moore said in reference to her style of play.  In addition to her obvious defensive strengths, the Wolfpack will have one less veteran vocal leaders on the court during the game.

N.C. State sits in the top tier of the conference. High Post Hoops evaluated the team and ranked them third in the ACC, just under the reigning National Champions (Notre Dame) and ACC Champions (Louisville).  The rest of the polls gave similar nods to the Wolfpack. It remains to be seen if Ealey’s injury changes the outcome.

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Traces of the impact of Ealey’s absence showed from a slow offensive start to N.C. State’s game against Anderson University. They ultimately beat their opponent 83-57. However, the Pack must get a faster start when facing in-conference teams. It is no secret the ACC is very deep, especially this year, and arguably the best women’s basketball conference in the nation.

N.C. State hosts Belmont next, on Nov. 7, 7 pm ET, to begin their regular season.  Kicking off their conference play is a home matchup against fellow 919 rival, Duke, on Jan. 3, 7 pm ET.

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