Gameday: NC State Looks To Regroup Against GT

NC State @ Georgia Tech
12 noon | ACCN | Atlanta, GA

NC State needs to get back on track and fast. The Pack has fallen to 13-9 and 4-5 in the ACC. While none of their losses have been bad (RPI wise) the guys need to start winning again if they want to be a lock in March. Today’s game will be the first step in that direction.

What’s the Lineup?
Since Cody Martin has entered the Wolfpack starting lineup, the team has gone 1-3. At the surface you’d think it’s obvious that you need to put Cat back into the starting PG role, but look a closer and that might not be the case. In 2 of those 3 losses NC State was up by 18 or more early in the first half. In both of those games NC State started off very strong, but then lost their way. I think keeping Cody in the starting lineup is something Gottfried should stick with, but I think it’s playing with the lead that this team needs to worry about.

Playing withe the Lead
GT is one of the worst teams in the league this season. They sit at 1-7 in the league and have just not been able to get anything going thus far. It’s likely that the Pack is going to get a decent lead at some point today (barring a repeat of that Clemson game last week). When they get that lead they need to learn how to play with it. In the recent games they’ve dominated early the equation has been obvious. They are working inside-out and focusing on getting Abu in the paint. In the two games they did this, Abu got in foul trouble on the other end and they were forced to go with a different line up. This is when things fell apart. They can not abandon that type of play. They need to feed their bigs and allow their guards to play off of that. Teams are keying on Lacey and Turner and it’s making it hard for them to get off. With Abu, Washington and Anya getting touches down low, all of the sudden the defense needs to react, collapse and that’s when you’ll see Lacey and Turner really able to do some damage.

Get to the Line
State has had a hard time getting to the line lately. A big reason is that they don’t have anyone attacking. Abu is doing it and he is getting to the line and the Martins have been on occassion doing it as well. Lacey has the ability to do it and so does Washington but those two lean on their jumpers a little too much. Of course, their jumpers are a big part of their games and should not be abandoned, but when you jump out to big leads you can’t just sit back and shoot it, you have to put the pressure on the defense, wear them down and get to the line for some free points.

Now or Never
State deserpeately needs these next two games. You have GT today and then Wake. Both very winnable games. After that however is #2 UVA and #10 Louisville. If State keeps slipping on winnable games they are going to be dug into a whole too deep to get out of. They need to win all of their remaining winnable games and then steal one from UVA, Louisville or UNC if they want to be a lock.