Keys To The Game: Louisiana Tech

PNC Arena | 7PM | ESPN 3

Louisiana Tech is not a team to be taken lightly, finishing last season with a 29-8 mark and taking home the Conference USA title with a conference record of 13-3. The Bulldogs will bring an uptempo attack to Raleigh this evening averaging 77 points per contest. Spearheading the attack for the Bulldogs is Raheem Appleby (6-4 160) and Alex Hamilton (6-4 190) this experienced duo will give NC State plenty of headaches. Appleby is averaging 16.3 points per outing and Hamilton is averaging 15.0 points per game. Another name to watch out for is Kenneth “Speedy” Smith, a senior guard who is the reining Conference USA defensive player of the year! Smith registered over 90 steals a season ago. Think of Smith as Rajon Rondo, scoring is not his forte, yet he is averaging over 7 assists a game!

What must State do in order to walk away with a quality win and a great resume builder towards March?

Handle the Rock: 

The Pack must be prepared for an all out assault tonight as Louisiana Tech loves to get up and pressure. Smith is one of the best in the country at getting steals and loves to stay in opposing point guards pockets. State must be prepare to use their dribble wisely as Louisiana Tech loves to mix it up in the full-court with a variety of impromptu traps. Hustling and grit are two trademarks of a ferocious Bulldog defense.

NC State must use ball fakes, spacing, and stay out of the corners in order to beat Louisiana Tech tonight. I know the Bulldogs watched the film of the game versus West Virginia and must like their chances of forcing turnovers to create easy offense. Cat Barber, Trevor Lacey, and Ralston Turner must be prepared to move the ball quickly and attack off of the Bulldogs pressure. If the Bulldogs are trapping simple math tells you someone is open. I am optimistic that NC State’s guards and bigs will be prepared for the Bulldogs and will be armed with a few more wrinkles to combat the pressure. Another side note is the Pack must avoid the corner at all cost tonight! Against the Mountaineers our guards found themselves stuck all too often only to turn it over.

Use our Strength: 

Louisiana Tech has adequate length and quickness; however, they are rail thin. The heaviest guy on their team weighs in at 225 pounds, as for their guards they are pretty light as well. Trevor and Ralston must use their strength to beat their man off of the bounce and finish through their defenders. If State can get Smith into foul trouble the Bulldogs will undoubtedly struggle without their floor general. We must also find a way to hit BeeJay deep in the post to allow him to out muscle Louisiana Tech’s big men. I am confident that if the Pack can draw some double teams in the post that Trevor and Ralston will be able to convert from the perimeter. Also look for Washington to use his face-up game to use his length to finish over the top.

Defend: 

Last game out the Pack didn’t have the energy or effort to keep West Virginia out of the paint. Guess what? Tonight we must bring the intensity and energy needed to play against an athletic team that thrives on chaos. I can assure you that there will be some ugly possessions out of the Bulldogs only to yield two points. As things go a-rye the Bulldogs are most comfortable. State must keep its wits and stay in the moment defensively. They cannot allow a lucky basket get them down mentally. Also State must continue their dominance on the defensive glass. The best way to avoid chaos is to not allow second and third chances. Hopefully our guys continue to show the commitment needed in order to out rebound the Bulldogs.

Another area that must be improved upon is defending the three-point line. The Bulldogs average 7.8 made threes per game. NC State must run Louisiana Tech off the line and force them to finish at the rim. We cannot allow Smith to penetrate and kick out to wide open shooters. If State is not sound on defending the three-point line it will be increasingly difficult to walk away with a win! It will all start with on the ball defense and not getting beat off the dribble. Pay attention to this throughout the night. Our best games defensively have been a direct result of not allowing the opposing team to hunt the paint! Cat and Trevor must turn the Bulldogs and force them outside their operational area. If the Pack can do this they will win!

Conclusion: 

NC State must play with energy first and foremost. They also must limit their turnovers and do a better job at moving the ball with the pass instead of dribbling. It will be imperative for the Pack to not fuel Louisiana Tech’s frenetic style by giving the ball away and allowing them second chances on the offensive glass. In my opinion State will continue the bounce back trend, the Pack are 2-0 following losses this season. In each game after a defeat State has improved on the errors in the last game and looked much better overall! Game time is slated for a 7PM, make sure to make the trip out to help give the Wolfpack every advantage possible!