Or describe that feeling and then how long did it take before you sort of flipped around? Ok. Now I gotta get ready to South Carolina. Yeah. Yeah. What a wake up call, huh? Uh Yeah, I mean, again, a lot of, uh, I mean, this is your dream as a player, as a coach, this is, you know, every year you start the season with this goal in mind and only four teams make it and let's face it a lot of times it's the same three or four teams. But, um, it's just, um amazing. I'm so happy for our players to be able to experience this and they've worked so hard. Uh, but a lot of things came to mind. Um, you know, two years ago, we were a double overtime, uh, loss away from going to the final four. And I thought of those players and how much I love them and how great they were and I just hate that they missed out on this opportunity. I thought about Ky 34 years at NC State. I was fortunate to be with her from 93 to 95. But, you know, she took this program to a final four in 98. And so to, to be able to do that as well, I even thought about you a little bit, Rob because, uh, you had said, uh, recently, I think that you believe that we would get to the final four at some point, uh, in my time here. Uh, so I, that's, that's amazing. Uh, you maybe had more confidence than I did. But, uh, anyway, just a lot of things. But, uh, yeah, it's very humbling. Uh, the text messages you receive and from all these great coaches, uh, and friends and people you care about. Uh, it's, it's very humbling and at the same time, very exciting and yeah, I started watching film actually, uh, on the plane ride home, uh, clipped, uh, clipped one of South Carolina's games. Uh, you know, I think this is the best team and they've had some unbelievable teams. I think this is the best team they've ever had. Uh, simply because I just, I think they've got so many people that can score the ball. They got so many really good shooters, uh, that you can't, you know, you can't sit down on Cordoza and, and collapse on her because they got a lot of people that can knock down threes around her, even as great a player as she is. You also got to be concerned about the others. So it's a great challenge. Don Staley's been here many times. Unbelievable coach. Uh, but like I said, you know, we're excited about playing again and, uh, you know, wouldn't trade it for anything. So, here we go. Thanks for the question, Rob. Next, we'll go to Faygo Franklin from New Stitched media. Hey, how you doing? Um, quick, uh, question, what does it mean to you to see women's basketball growing in the right direction? Well, I think it's been going in the right direction but now it's exploding, you know, uh, it, it's awesome. Uh, got so many unbelievable players, uh that, uh, the game is elevated so much and the fan interest obviously has gone with it. Uh, uh, you know, the teams, I think there's more, a little bit more parody than we've had in the past, maybe because of the portal. Um, but I just think it's a great time, you know, we've, uh, we've seen the TV ratings just go through the roof and, uh, competing with, you know, the Pros and, uh, just everyone. So it's, it's pretty amazing, uh to be a part of it and I'm just very thankful and feel like we're blessed, but again, you owe it all to the players. It's all about the product and, and, uh, you know, the entertainment and those players are, are giving us some great entertainment. Thank you, coach. Thank you. Thanks for the question. Next, we'll go to Corey Smith, Roy Smith with Pac Pride on 24 7 Sports. Uh Wes between you and, and the men's team, you guys have a combined nine out of 10 starters that are from the transfer portal. Uh The only one being Isiah James for you guys. Uh What is it shown about what you guys have been able to do that? You're, you know, able to adapt to uh this new, you know, look in college basketball and, and, and being able to thrive in the transfer portal era as well. Yeah, I, I mean, again, it's uh it is what it is and, and I'm used to, I've always, uh I've, I've never really recruited junior college a lot because I love bringing freshmen in and watching them develop, you know, over a four year period, watch them grow as a player uh as a young lady, uh just watching them grow up before your eyes is pretty, pretty exciting and we've got some of that now, we've got uh several freshmen that are contributing and, and are a big part of it. Uh But no doubt, and I think the big thing is for us, the, the, the young ladies we have that are starting for us out of the transfer portal. They've at least been here multiple years now. And so they've been in the program, they've had a chance to, you know, grow as an individual player and develop. They've also had a chance to come together as a team. I think that's part of our strength right now. And uh So, it, it, it is what it is. You know, you gotta try to uh keep up with everyone else and fill spots and uh we're just very blessed, you know, that, uh to have so many great players that and again, at least they've been here two or three years and have grown and uh feel we feel like they've been here the entire time. So don't really look at them as transfer so much now. They're family. This is also the first time we've been able to talk to you since, uh, both teams advanced to the, the final four. what does it mean to, to be a part of a program that, you know, the only, only the 11th program in NCAA history to send both teams to the final four? Wow, that's awesome. Yeah. You know, I was fortunate we had, uh, I had an opportunity to go up to DC. Uh, we had that week off and weren't sure who we were playing or anything. So it was a little bit quieter. Time, had an opportunity to go up to the AC C championship game in DC and to share that and to see coach Keats, he is an unbelievable man, uh, so good with those players, uh, but also an unbelievable coach and to see that all come together and, uh, start clicking when it counted was, was just like I said, one of the most enjoyable things I've ever been a part of to see and, uh we've, you know, it's great. Our players all I think get along, they share the same, you know, journey. And so, uh it's been fun, uh watching them interact and, and cheer for each other and, and then, like I said, Coach Keats and I, I think we have a special bond because we both know how hard this is, you know, starting in the AC C, you've got 14 other unbelievable universities and teams and here you're trying to be the top one. It's not easy. And uh so we kind of ups and downs during the season. We try to talk or text, uh you know, almost every day and, uh it's just, uh like I said, special to uh share that with him and to see them doing so well. Thank you so much. Thanks to the questions, Corey. Next, we'll go to James Henderson. Hey, wes, congratulations. Thank you so much. Ok. Go ahead, James. I think we may have lost you there for a second. Hey, you got me now. We, we got you. Ok. Yeah, wes I wanted to ask you about the final four in general. Obviously, all of these, all four teams have great players and it seems like the women's game is you've got so many stars now, uh you know, Becker at uconn Caitlin Clark, obviously, Cardoza South Carolina, your two guards though. Can you just discuss the, the development you've seen from SA and and Isaiah and what they kind of give you going into this, this final four. Yeah, I've just seen them both grow up, you know, as players, as people. Uh, I think both of them at times if things didn't go, well, they might, would be hard on themselves, blame themselves or whatever and get down, I think now, uh, maybe just knowing that, you know, they're yet, we're really counting on them and, and they're gonna be able to play through mistakes and, uh, they know we're gonna lean on them. Uh, I think that's giving them confidence. I know both of them worked their tails off over the summer to grow their games and, and I think that's paid off and has given them confidence as well. But, uh, just to see them, like I said, go from, you know, maybe two years ago, uh, having some self doubt and hesitation and now, uh, you know, you, you can't hold them back now. I mean, they've, uh, uh, they've got a lot of confidence and they're having fun and, and that's what it's about and just to follow up. I know sometimes looking at you on the sidelines, it seems like you can't have them play fast enough. You're yelling, go, go, go. I, I, is that a change for you? Is that, you know, what's it been like watching that? And then when they do get going with their pace, how much can that impact the game? Yeah, you know, we've always been a four out one in and we want to get paint touches. Uh and we want to get the ball inside, you know, River ball when I thought really took the game over uh against Texas on Sunday in the fourth quarter, I think, scored 14 points maybe in that final quarter. So it's great having that balance. Uh you know, Zay scored what, 27 I think so. She had 20 a half and River had 14 and a quarter. But then I look at the stat sheet afterwards. We still got five people in, in double figures, which is pretty neat. But yes, with Sonya and Isaiah, you wanna go, you wanna run, you want to give them an opportunity maybe in transition to have some one on ones and some space to work in. Uh and then again, we got to be smart enough to realize when, when the defense is back and they clog the lane up. Uh We got a downshift and swing the ball and uh try to get some movement going. But there are times when I just want to say, hey, that's, you know, I like this matchup. Let's get everybody out of the way and, and Sania or Zay go to work and, and I, I'd add Zoe Brooks into that mix too. And, you know, she's a very similar type player and as a freshman, she's grown a lot. So to have uh all three of them on the court at times. Uh Yeah, you better. You better not be touching the break. Uh Let it go. Thanks, Wes, thanks for the questions. Next we go to Tom Withers. Hey, Coach Tom Withers A P Cleveland. Appreciate your time. Congratulations. You guys have taken down a one and a two and are kind of viewed as a little bit of a party crasher here. Is that, is that ok with you being a little bit under the radar? Hey, we're coming to the rock and roll Hall of Fame. You gotta crash the party, right? Um Yeah, I mean, again, I look at that Gauntlet, uh, Tennessee Stanford, Texas, uh, that's some pretty, uh, pretty strong programs, uh, with a lot of history. So, uh, you know, I noticed, uh, I guess at least the last two games we've been given like a 20 something percent chance of winning, I think for, uh, this game, I don't know if we'll have any percent chance, but I know it's gonna be pretty low again. Uh, but again, they're just playing and having fun. We're not, not worried about it. And, uh, you know, like I said, I, I think, uh, this is your goal to get to the final four, but now you gotta excel and say, ok, now our goal is try to go get two more. And, uh, so I think we'll, you know, we'll get back on the court a little bit today and, and start refocusing and, uh, you know, there'll be plenty of time to celebrate later. But, uh, yeah, it's, uh, unbelievable experience and, um, you know, I can't, I can't wait to get to Cleveland. That's for sure. Hey, and if I could follow up, uh, 40 plus years ago, NC State men took down, uh, an undefeated team, uh, that was, looked to be one of the best of all time. Um, will you lean into that a little bit with the girls coach? Uh, talk to them about NC State in its history. Uh, I don't know, I'm, I'm not, uh, you know, I hate to disappoint everyone and probably disappoint my players sometimes. You know, I'm not Jim Valvano in that respect. Uh, he, I've heard his players tell me that when he was done speaking to them, they were, they didn't want to open the door, they wanted to run through it. Uh, but I'm, I'm more maybe a matter of fact and, uh, you know, we've, we've just, like I said, we've just bought into the idea, we don't want it to end. You know, we're having fun and we want to keep going and, and so we'll do that and we have, we have talked about, you know, we're always the underdog. Uh, you know, we were picked eighth in the AC C. We weren't unranked when the season started. And so, uh, you know, more Rodney Dangerfield, you know, we just don't get any respect, you know, but that's ok. We're having fun and, uh, we're excited about, uh, playing again. And, uh, so it's, you know, it's all good. Thank you, coach. Thank you. Thanks Tom. Just a reminder for all on the call. If you raise your hand, we'll get you an order of, of your hand to being put up. So next question, we'll go to Ethan mcdonald and coach Ethan mcdowell from the Wolf Pack. When you guys got back from Portland, it was almost 3 a.m. but there was still a big crowd of NC State fans there to greet you. What did that moment mean to you seeing? Um everyone there, it's unbelievable and, and that was the thing, our fans, you know, they are so uh rabid, they're so loyal. Uh And you know, I, I wanna win for them. I'll be honest with you. I mean, that's part of it. Uh I think we all do. We want, uh we want those, those people to have something to celebrate and, and right now they're getting a double dose of celebrating. Uh I talked to our ad boo and he was in Dallas and uh uh at the men's game and he was saying that, uh you know, he, if, if he let him, he, he'd be drinking 80 something beers a day because everyone he ran into wanted to buy him a beer and he had to say no, no, no, I can't do that. But, uh our fans are really excited and it's fun, you know, they're, they're kind of blue collar and hard working and, uh we want to be the same way. So, uh it means a lot to be able to give them something to celebrate and, uh, to, to be able to maybe even brag a little bit, you know, nothing wrong with that. Ok. Have a good day. E Ethan, thanks for the question. Next, we'll go to Dylan Manfre from Sport. AO. Hey, coach, uh, pleasure to meet you. Congrats on your success. Uh I was just curious how NC state is, you know, maximizing it, the name on same recognition with both its men's and women's team uh in the final four and how you guys plan to, uh, you know, just maximize your grand fast there. Uh I'm sorry, maximizing what your, your name recognition. Oh, yeah. Yeah. You know, that's, that's exciting too, you know, uh, um, sometimes, maybe we don't get the attention over here that we would like, uh, nationally and, uh, for us and the men to both be in it. You know, I grew up in Dallas. I listen to the Dallas sports talk all the time to keep up with my world's champion Texas Rangers and even the Cowboys, even though we've had a dry spell. And I bet three or four different days they've mentioned on, on the Dallas radio about, uh, how our, uh, the Dallas Cowboys need to draft DJ Burns in the seventh round uh and make a lineman out of him. So, uh yeah, we're definitely getting a lot of, a lot more exposure. Our, I think our players, their talent level, but also their personalities, uh make it fun and uh make people really uh attract to them. And so it's been crazy to see, uh see all the attention and, um you know, hopefully that's something, uh, coach Keith and I coach Doran in football, everybody else. Coach Avin in baseball. Hopefully we can all take advantage of it, uh, in the recruiting as well. Thanks guys. Appreciate it. Thank you. Thanks Dylan. Um Again, if you have a question, please raise your hand. We next go to Irene Harris Harry. Go ahead. Thank you. Uh Congratulations, Coach Ir Harris here from cleveland.com. Just to concentrate on you just, you know, right quick. Uh We understand this is the second final four appearance and for the first one coming in 1998 you were also in the final four, but at the division two level with Francis Marion, can you just talk about what do you remember much from that event and your personal growth as a coach from that final four at that level? And you're grind all the way to now. Yeah. Uh, first of all, as far as the 98 program at NC State, I was here at 93 to 95. And so those players that were seniors in 98. Uh, I actually was here their freshman year and was able to work with them some and, and be around them and, uh, we take a lot of pride in that group. Um, in fact, this year we recognized, I guess, maybe a year ago we recognized them, uh, for their anniversary year, 25 years. And, uh, uh, just it, when they're, they're around a lot, Uh It's, it's pretty awesome to share that with them because we all feel like even though we're 25 years separated or whatever, we feel like we're all family. Francis Marion, it was awesome too. Uh You know, it's still, I know it's division two, division one. Uh but to go to final four at Francis Marion uh was a thrill as well and I still talk with some of those players uh and have a lot of great memories with them. And, uh you know, I've been very blessed, you know, everywhere I've been, have unbelievable players to work with and un un unbelievable young ladies. A lot of that goes to their parents for preparing them for opportunities like this. But yeah, uh you know, this was this, it's been a long time coming for this one. So I'm really excited about it. Uh But yeah, I'm proud of those other teams as well. Oh, so thanks Irie. Um Just the last call for any questions I don't see any in the uh standby mode or there's one, we'll go back to Rob mclean for a final question. Go ahead. Yes, sir. Uh Wes, if you could just, obviously you got two more games to go and you wanna, you have work to do. Yeah, you're right. Right. Obviously in your mind, you wanna play two more games. If you could just, I don't want you to get too retrospective. But if you could just say back from the renovation of rentals to now, it seems like there's been like three really tiers of players, the groups just because now you're in your 11th year just to all the people that have contributed to this moment. If you could speak to them, to the fans, what would you say to them? Yeah. Yeah, I mean, I think about my first few years and the, and the young ladies we had there my first year here, uh expectations were so low, but I felt like we had some talent. I felt like we had some seniors that were hungry. And so that first year those kids just, you know, and the thing is they hadn't heard any of my stories. They, you know, I hadn't worn on them yet. And so, uh, it was just a fun year. We won 25 games and, and went to the tournament and all that. Uh, then we had the group that obviously went to the, uh lead eight a couple of years ago. Those kids, most of those players had been in our program for five years due to COVID. And so they had grown, uh when they came in, they weren't, you know, top 50 most of them weren't even top 100 recruits. Uh Probably Alisa Kane was the highest ranked, she was 55th, I believe in the ESPN rankings. Uh but they just, you know, they stayed here, first of all, there was no portal, then they stayed here. They worked hard, they got better individually, they got better as a team. And like I said, we went up to Connecticut and double overtime loss uh away from going to the final four. Uh So I think about that group, as you mentioned and now this group and again, you know, some, several of them came from the portal, but they all have been here, you know, multiple years, those ones that are starting and all and so special group and, and again from where we started, uh even a year ago, the disappointment at the end of the season a year ago to now is just amazing. And um like I said, I'm happy for those players. I'm happy for our fans and, uh you know, it's a special time, obviously, uh memories that will last you a lifetime. Thanks Rob. And the final question this morning will come again from Tom Withers Associated Press. Yes. Thanks for letting me sneak last one in. Um Coach, I know you've been focused on the game cock, but I'm certain that you were probably watching the ball games last night and just wanted to get your impressions on what Caitlin Clark was able to do. Uh, I hate to admit it y'all. Uh, I was here watching film in the office and I didn't get home. I actually, my wife had it on when I walked in the door and I saw the last minute, uh, but I've seen the highlights and, you know, I saw her up close and personal last year. You know, we, we were fortunate, we went to Iowa a year ago and won and we held Caitlin Clark to 45. I mean, uh, I can't believe I didn't have coaches calling me last year for my scouting report in the CAA tournament, you know? Uh, yeah, she is amazing and, uh, people asked me in the postgame press conference after we won. Uh, well, do you think Caitlin Clark shot too much or something to that effect or maybe took some tough shots? Are you kidding me? If you're hitting over 50% of your shots, I don't care where you shoot, how often you shoot, keep shooting. And she was, she crossed half court. She was open. So she is truly amazing. Uh, you know, there's a lot of amazing players in this final four and, and like I said, South Carolina is loaded with them too. Uh, but it's, uh, it's, it's pretty special to be a part of. And yeah, Caitlin Clark is someone that is definitely, uh, you know, made such a great impact on our game and I bet ticket prices for the final four, doubled last night. So if you had some at face value, they might be a lot more valuable. Thanks, coach. Thank you. Well, Coach Moore, we do appreciate your time today. Thank you so much um, for the media that have been on the call. We'll have a transcript following via ASAP. Um but we do appreciate it. Coach safe travels to Cleveland. Look forward to seeing you. Thank you, can't wait to get there. Thanks so much. Appreciate it. Bye bye. Recording stopped and the sample.