ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE BASKETBALL TIPOFF MEDIA DAY

October 24, 2023

Wes Moore

Saniya Rivers

Madison Hayes

NC State Wolfpack

Women's Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: I have the head coach for the NC State Wolfpack. Wes Moore, Saniya Rivers and Madison Hayes. Just to jump right into things, I mean, from each team that we've talked about, talked about the ACC, how it prepares for everything going into even post-season play. As we reflect on last year's squad and even what you want this team to be going forward, what are some takeaways from last year?

WES MOORE: Yeah, last year we were probably a little bit more inconsistent than we're used to. I like rides, but roller coaster is not one of them. So definitely want to find more consistency this year.

I like the fact we have some freshmen on this team, so I think it makes everyone have to teach and think a little bit more, including the coach.

But just excited about that mix. We got a great core of veterans that give us great leadership. Then we got some fresh faces, new faces, to add that energy and enthusiasm. So far it's been great. I'm excited about it.

Hopefully we can, like I said, be a little more consistent, have that urgency, energy night in and night out.

THE MODERATOR: You mentioned the new faces, newcomers on your roster, you have six freshmen. That's what it says here.

WES MOORE: Okay, I got you, okay.

THE MODERATOR: Just looking at how you're building on that, when you have your core with Saniya Rivers, who is coming off of the bench, sixth woman of the year, and that is something that NC State has swept in the last three seasons. For you, how you've grown within your role, knowing what you wanted to do, had a couple games late in the season where coach said, I need a little bit of a different look, being in that starting rotation. How have you grown as a player?

SANIYA RIVERS: Oh, man, I think I'm having to tap into this leadership role. This my first time being an upperclassman, looking up to other leaders. I think I'm doing a pretty good job though, on and off the court. I make sure that the team bonds off the court so that when we transition on the court, the transition is smooth, and I think we're doing pretty good job gelling. I think it just helps a lot.

THE MODERATOR: I think it's unique in your case being a transfer coming in, being on a team where you won the title with South Carolina, knowing what goes into winning a title.

Knowing the expectation at NC State, how you can be a part of that in your new leadership role, what do you think are a few things you have to do to make that jump?

SANIYA RIVERS: There are a few things. It's a lot you have to do to win a national championship, but a few things that I would have to point out is communication. We have to make sure we talk on and off the court. When things don't go our way off the court, we have to make sure we communicate it on the court so we don't make the same mistakes in the next game.

Another thing, I don't know, we have to focus on our offense, defense. Everybody can score on this team. Everybody adds a versatility, but we have to bring the same energy every night.

THE MODERATOR: We're hearing that consistency. I like that, Coach.

Madison, being one of those players that is really relied on as far as the scoring, but what do you see or foresee yourself being for this team in order to get to the heights that they want for this season?

MADISON HAYES: I think just doing the little things that I usually do, lock down defender, rebounding, doing the little things. Obviously the scoring will come.

Not really worried about scoring as much. Obviously scoring is going to come as much as doing every little thing I have to do.

THE MODERATOR: Going back to the previous season, and how even taking the lessons from that year to this one, because you look at the schedule and you're like, four wins over net top 25 teams, and that's including Iowa, Notre Dame, Louisville and North Carolina. These are teams that are also NCAA teams. What is the next step? When you can say I have a team that knows how to win, but doing it consistently, what is that next step trying to get everyone to gel?

WES MOORE: Again, I'm going into my 35th year as a college head coach. Last year was probably the first year that we were a little up and down. Just not used to that.

We've got to make sure that first of all we just did a revamped our locker room, our film room, all these things. The most prominent thing in there is team, team, team. We got to realize. I want them to get personal accolades, I want them to be recognized, I want them to have light, okay? I get it.

But at the end of the day it's a whole lot more fun when you kind of lose yourself in that team and buy in totally. It's just a whole lot more fun.

Everything is better when you win: the food, the travel, everything. Just getting where we realize that that's our priority. It's tougher nowadays. You got the portal, NIL, all these things pulling at you from an individual standpoint. Now you got to try to focus on what's important.

So I think that's the biggest thing, is not caring so much who gets the attention, who gets the credit, concentrate more on we and us. That's going to help us get where we want to get.

THE MODERATOR: Can I transition to a we story that Madison has, as far as the NIL money, helping give back to the community as well I was reading to pay for and give away nearly 250 backpacks to the children at the Chris Ramsey Community Center. The heart to have that, just describe why that's important to you.

MADISON HAYES: It was important to me because that's the same summer camp I used to go to every year back in my hometown. Just giving back to the kids that their parents can't go to the store and get them something, everybody is already selling out of backpacks. Having the supplies for them, making sure they have what they need for school, making sure they understand that school is important.

That was the biggest thing for me in emphasizing school is important and basketball comes after.

THE MODERATOR: Thank you. Obviously a great thing to see.

WES MOORE: Awesome.

THE MODERATOR: We want to highlight that as much as possible, the things these amazing athletes do beyond the court.

Saniya, I remember during last season, how is it going? I'm a little quiet. But I'm going to work it out. For your growth, has there been anyone that you've leaned on or learned from in order to say, I have to come out of my shell a little bit more because it's not innate? Who are some of those people that helped you in that department?

SANIYA RIVERS: Definitely my older sister. She played some years back. She has her own business, Own Your Energy. I've been trying to focus more on my mental this year these past few seasons. If I'm not mentally string, my game on the court isn't going to be right.

I've been trying to tap into that mental role, make sure I'm not in my head all the time. Having that next-play mindset. I feel like I've been having sessions with her weekly because I'm trying to get this thing going, so when the season comes around I'm just locked in mentally so that I can do my game.

THE MODERATOR: Unbelievable to see the jump from a season ago.

WES MOORE: I've seen a big difference. As you said, I think part of it is being mentally and physically tough. It's a physical game now, okay? Also it's tough. The teams are so great, the talent is so great, that you've got to be able to get back up. You're going to get knocked down. You're going to have adversity. How do you handle that?

Y'all, that's what athletics is about. When you see that great strides Saniya has made, now a year or two she leaves college, she's going to have that same mentality in life. It's tough out there in the real world. That's why I stayed in school for 35 years here, whatever, longer than that probably.

Again, it's important that they learn that and then carry that over off the court someday.

THE MODERATOR: I know you've been in this role for a very long time, coach.

WES MOORE: That's a nice way of saying that (smiling). Thank you.

THE MODERATOR: When you're looking at even the things that you've learned in the last maybe two to three years about how to coach the next. You mentioned the different things that are now within this league as far as dealing with NIL, dealing with the transfer portal. How have you adjusted to how this game is played now?

WES MOORE: I'm trying. It's still not easy.

I just think you got to try to focus more on the coaching aspect, the teaching aspect I guess I should say. I'm very competitive. I got a fire in my belly, along with a lot of other stuff.

I want our players to have that same intensity and everything every day. I have it every day. Again, they help me. When I go in the gym for practice, when they have the energy, when they're up beat, I feed off of that, too. This is a great league. We have to keep getting better. Hopefully we're our best in March.

Definitely having these players, as you mentioned great players, but also great people, makes it fun. I don't got to go to work, I get to go to work, so it's nice.

THE MODERATOR: Looking at the schedule.

WES MOORE: Who did that (laughter)?

THE MODERATOR: I think you had a little bit to do with that. Now no longer are we seeing the ACC-Big Ten challenge. We have a new challenge in this season with the SEC, two of the most dominant conferences. We've seen each year in Elite Eight, Final Fours, championship teams. What does that mean to you to have that challenge but also growing the game, what that looks like?

WES MOORE: These elite players, they want to play against the best as often as possible. They want to be on that big stage. Our non-conference first week, first of all we have Charlotte, team right down the road here coming in. We got to make sure we don't look ahead because I know how great they are, what a great job their staff does. You also have UConn that first week on ABC. You want to put them on that big stage so they're used to those opportunities.

But, yeah, I just think our game, when you play those kind of games, you're going to get those great TV opportunities, and that's what grows our game. Little girl sitting on the couch at home, they see great players like this, say, Wow, I want to be like them.

I just think our game is in a special place right now. It's also a great time to be a student-athlete, especially women's basketball. Couldn't ask for any more than that. It's fun.

Q. How much fun has the women's game been, just to see the numbers from even last year, the Final Four, the NCAA tournament? Now we're riding that wave, it's because of the talent. I would like to ask you, I'll ask different coaches, what should the identity be for the team? They're like, It should be this. For you guys holding yourself accountable, when people watch you on the television, what would they say that team is all about?

MADISON HAYES: I feel like this year since we're unranked, having a chip on our shoulder and being tough. That's our biggest thing. Obviously what Coach Moore said earlier, being a team on and off the floor, staying together through wins and losses, which we don't like to lose, but... At some point.

WES MOORE: It might happen.

MADISON HAYES: It might happen, yes.

Just sticking together, knowing everybody has the same goal, that's what we want.

SANIYA RIVERS: I say along the same lines. Our toughest competition isn't going to be the team we're facing that night, it's going to be us. If we have our mental together, if we put in the work prior to the game, we are confident, we'll be fine.

Q. Coach, what is an area of strength you've seen from your team in practice and something they need to get better at before the first game this season?

WES MOORE: I think, again, I feel like we do have a team. I think they're great at sharing the ball, setting teammates up, just playing together.

I think, again, rebounding and defense. Your shooting is going to be up and down. These two both have worked extremely hard, put extra time in. I think that's going to be something that's going to continue to get better.

You're going to have off nights. Defense, rebounding, those things can bail you out on a night where maybe you don't play your best on the offensive end.

Hopefully we'll continue to buy into that and get better as we go.

THE MODERATOR: That will conclude our time on the stage. Ladies, thank you so much for your time. Best of luck this season, Coach.