NC State's Zoe Brooks Out vs. Michigan in NCAA Tournament with Injury

Wolfpack will be without starting guard for second-round matchup against Wolverines

Mar. 22, 2026 at 4:33pm

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NC State will be without starting guard Zoe Brooks for its second-round NCAA Tournament matchup against No. 2 Michigan. Brooks suffered a foot injury in the Wolfpack's first-round win over Tennessee and did not practice on Saturday, with coach Wes Moore saying her health is the top priority. The junior is NC State's second-leading scorer this season at 16.1 points per game and leads the team in assists.

Why it matters

Brooks' absence is a significant blow for the No. 7 Wolfpack, who will now have to find ways to replace her scoring, playmaking, and defensive contributions against a tough Michigan squad playing on its home floor. NC State will likely need big games from Zam Jones and Khamil Pierre to have a chance at the upset.

The details

Brooks played just 17 minutes in the first-round win over Tennessee, scoring 8 points. Coach Wes Moore said Brooks didn't practice on Saturday and was wearing a walking boot, with the priority being her long-term health rather than rushing her back for the Michigan game. The Wolfpack will have to lean more heavily on players like Jones, who scored a career-high 30 points in the first round, and Pierre, who is averaging a double-double this season.

  • Brooks suffered the foot injury during NC State's first-round NCAA Tournament win over Tennessee on March 21, 2026.
  • NC State will face Michigan in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on March 23, 2026.

The players

Zoe Brooks

A junior starting guard for NC State who is the team's second-leading scorer at 16.1 points per game and leads the Wolfpack in assists.

Wes Moore

The head coach of the NC State women's basketball team.

Zam Jones

A sophomore guard for NC State who scored a career-high 30 points in the first-round win over Tennessee.

Khamil Pierre

A junior forward for NC State who is averaging a double-double this season with 16.8 points and 12.1 rebounds per game.

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What they’re saying

“Obviously, the first priority is going to be her health and making sure she's not at risk as far as her future goes. I've got a lot of confidence in (freshman guard Ky'She Lunan) and I think the other players do as well. That helps. 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.”

— Wes Moore, Head Coach, NC State Women's Basketball

What’s next

The winner of the NC State-Michigan second-round matchup will advance to the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament.

The takeaway

NC State's chances of pulling off the upset against No. 2 Michigan took a significant hit with the injury to starting guard Zoe Brooks. The Wolfpack will need other players like Zam Jones and Khamil Pierre to step up in a big way to have a chance at advancing to the Sweet 16 without their second-leading scorer and top playmaker.