NC State Hungry for More, Duke up Next

ACC Tournament Semifinals
NC State Wolfpack vs. Duke Blue Devils
3PM | Greensboro, NC  | ESPN/ACCN

The last time these two teams met it was a blowout. Duke did whatever they wanted and really just controlled every aspect of that basketball game. They shot over 50%, knocked down 11 3s and got double-digit scoring from Parker (23pts), Hood, Cook, Parker and Sulaimon.

One HUGE key for NC State will be protecting the basketball. They’ve been great as of late, holding their TOs to single digits throughout this tournament. Last time out against the Blue Devils, they turned it over 21 times. That led to multiple run-outs by Duke and tons of transition points. Duke lives off causing turnovers, but this State team is a lot different than they were during that first matchup. All of the sudden Barber is maturing and Lewis is playing stronger. The Wolfpack bigs a lot more physical than they were early in the season…but most of all, this team isn’t scared anymore. This team is hungry and they are looking at Duke like they’re their next meal.

Another key will be to slow down Jabari Parker. You can’t let him get into a rhythm. Sure he’s going to come out and take some forced shots early and try to get into takeover mode and try to prove he should have been the ACC POY, but you can’t allow easy buckets. He has to work for everything. I think State will have a much better matchup this time around as they will be able to put Lennard Freeman on him. Freeman was out last time the teams met and will be much better at staying physical with Parker and keeping him off balance.

Vandenberg might be playing his best basketball at the right time. Duke doesn’t have a quality big man so if Vandy can play like he did against Syracuse he can have a huge impact on this game. He needs to be physical on the boards and confidence on offense against a Duke team that is going to take it right at him.

Reffing needs to be solid. I just pray for an evenly called game.I know the ACC can’t stand the thought of not having a blue team in finals, but if State can keep up this run, they might have to make an exception. You saw the Pitt/Carolina game, right? When Pitt took over that game and UNC was dead in the water, the whistles really picked up. Now you might think I’m exaggerating, but it as actually the 5th most foul calls in ACC Tournament history. I’m not calling conspiracy, but all I’m saying is that the stripes get REAL controlling when one of the big dogs have an off night. Just a heads up….

So does a win get State in?
Yes, but I actually think State has a very real shot to already be in. With FSU losing and Clemson losing last night, State might have played themselves into a tourney berth. Their RPI took a huge jump last night in the win over Syracuse. They also will get a nice boost from Pitt’s win over UNC. Then you take into consideration the fact that they are red hot down the stretch and have the ACC player of the year and you might have yourself a pretty good case for an at-large bid. Heck…Dickie V thinks so….

NCSU with a big big W over Syracuse – NCAA dancing baby – hey Jimmy V jumping with joy in Heaven !

— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) March 15, 2014