With the conference lacking juggernaughts from your past 2000's Blue Blood title cotenders, and being embarassed in the SEC/ACC challege, Saturday's contest against Wake Forest who missed last years tournament is a must win for the Wolfpack. Succombing a second half fourteen point lead a week ago at Virginia not only doomed the Pack from a quad 1-2 win on their resume, but it revealed the inability to close games which reared it's head against Texas as the Lenovo Center a month ago. Being able to adust on the road in a split instinct is a must in the ACC.
The Pack must play inside out which has bee the story this season. Breon Pass, who will lay in his 100th collegiate game today ( a anamoly in this era) in the last 5 contest is 9/15 from downtown including 53.8 on the year. This illustrates picking your spots. Michael O'Connell has to be more selfish; weird saying that in today's game but shooting a career low from deep, and being implemented into a different role for this ball club, the team needs his aggressiveness now more than ever.
(photo courtesy of NC State Athletics)
Feeding the Big men led by Ben Middlebrooks should help slow down the game in the halfcourt offense. 2nd in the ACC in blocks, the Pack need consistent offense. Speaking of scoring, the magic number is 70. When a Coach Keatts offense scores 70 a game, they're 7-0. In contrast ,1-5 when not reaching the magic number. NC State scores above 40% of it's buckets in the paint area and for a sign of success 8-1 on the year when they outscore their opponent in that area.
Slowing down Hunter Sallis will take a an collective effort as the stud has scored at least 20 points in three consecutive games. The ability to attack the rim, shoot from downtown and score in bunches makes Hunter a problem for opposing defenses. With a game being much needed for both respected teams, expect a finish til the end in Winston Salem.
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