5 women's college basketball programs ready to emerge as contenders this season

1. NC State Wolf Pack

The last team that is ready to emerge as a contender is NC State (No. 3). The Wolf Pack improved to 9-0 after defeating Illinois State this weekend.

NC State is a solid 3-point shooting team as they are averaging 34.1 percent from the floor. The team is led by Aziaha James who is averaging 16.2 points per game. Saniya Rivers is the X-factor for this team and one of the cogs that keep them going. She leads the team in assists (4.4) and steals (2.2). Madison Hayes averages double figures in scoring and she is relentless on the boards.

Lastly, River Baldwin is a force on the glass and she shoots an impressive 60 percent from the floor while shooting 90.5 percent from the free throw line.

This team is a collective unit that witnessed a heartbreaking loss in the first round. With a good amount of their core returning, they have the ability to make a deep run this year.