Gutsy All-Around Win for Pack, Beats FSU 74-70

What a performance for this young Wolfpack team! These guys played an all-around masterpiece, taking down a physical and talented FSU squad 74-70.

TJ Warren scored 30 points, but this was a total team effort for Gottfried’s group. Tyler Lewis came off the bench to provide a spark once again, going for 6 points and 7 assists without a turnover. Dez Lee came on strong in the second half, dominating the Noles off the bounce and netting 11, all in that period. You could go down the line heaping on praise for each and every one of these guys. They played their hearts out, answered every time Florida State made a run and didn’t fall apart at the end. Don’t be fooled either, this didn’t come easy. FSU played really well. They had the pressure notched up all game and shot the ball at a 43% clip. But that didn’t phase the Pack, who won their 3rd straight – a 3 game winning streak will go down as a season changing stretch, without doubt.

Let’s take a look at some of the notes.

TJ Warren was on fire
Obviously NC State wouldn’t have had a shot in this game if it weren’t for a magnificent performance by their leader, TJ Warren. The sophomore was unconscious early on, dropping 20 in the first half. He was doing every way possible. He hit two 3s, knocked down his patented floater and even made plays out of the post. You are witnessing one of the best scorers that NC State has ever seen, don’t take it for granted. Warren finished with 30 points and 7 boards and controlled the game over the first 20 minutes.

Once again, Tyler Lewis was the answer
Cat Barber actually really played well in the first half, but what State needs right now is a game manager and Tyler Lewis excels in that role. When Lewis is in the game State does have trouble defensively, but it’s outweighed by what he brings on the offensive end. He orchestrated a masterpiece tonight. His 7 assists and zero turnovers where just as big as Warren’s 30 points. Lewis has had a roller coaster season to this point, but it seems like he’s regained his confidence and maybe his role as team leader.

Don’t let Kyle Washington and Lennard Freeman Go Unnoticed
They didn’t light up up the scoreboard or dominate the stat sheet, but these two guys were a major factor tonight. FSU is big, long and physical, but Washington and Freeman more than held their own in the paint. The two combined for 13 rebounds, but the key stat was Lennard Freeman’s 5 offensive boards. He was giving State extra possessions and helping them get a ton of easy buckets. Remember that these two kids are only freshmen and they’re already playing more aggressive and stronger than any guy that State has seen in a long time (again, outside of Richard Howell).

Dez Lee continues to be huge late in games
When TJ Warren went out with 4 fouls and Ralston Turner joined him, it seemed bleak for the Wolfpack. Who would they turn to for offense? Well, Lee answered that very quickly, attacking the hoop and taking over the game down the stretch. Lee is getting better and better as the season rolls along. Early on this season, Lee was a little out of control at times, but lately he’s been great. He has the unique combination of physicality and body control and he uses that to get to the lane and get to the line. With Lee emerging as scorer, State is touting a pretty impressive arsenal of weapons. With Warren, Turner, and now Lee able to put up points, this team is getting dangerous. Lee didn’t score in the first half, but when things got tight, Lee got going. He finished with 11 points, 4 assists and 4 boards to go along with another very solid defensive performance. He completely owned the final 8 minutes of this basketball game. When the light get brightest it seems like D. Lee is at his best.

Don’t look now but….
This  young Wolfpack team, picked near the bottom of the ACC, is now 4-4 in conference and in the top half of the league. What’s more impressive is this 3 game winning streak they’re on. They’re not just beating teams, but they’re grinding out wins. That is a trait usually reserved for veteran groups, not teams that roll out a bunch of underclassmen and a couple transfer juniors. This was probably the most fun to watch, best all around performance we’ve seen from a Wolfpack team in a few years. It was a TEAM effort. They are sharing the ball, they are playing with fire and they are hungry to win (and learning how to do it). This team couldn’t be riding any higher as they set their sights on the rival Tarheels this Saturday in Chapel Hill.