NC State Looks to Keep Momentum vs Winthrop

NC State are looking to build off a big win over #22 LSU on Tuesday with a matchup with Winthrop tonight at 7pm (on ESPN3).

While this might not seem like a huge game, after early losses to William and Mary and Arizona State, the Wolfpack really need to get on a roll. Their win over the Ben Simmons led LSU Tigers was a start, but as ACC quickly approaches this team needs to settle into their rolls and start clicking on all cylinders.

Martins Coming into their own
With Trevor Lacey gone, NC State knew they needed a team that was versatile, No longer would they have a guy who could be counted on to go one on one and score with consistency. This is where the Martin’s would come in. The sophomore twins have the size, skill and athleticism to be huge assets for Mark Gottfried. The question is, can they consistently produce.

Over the past few games you’ve seen these two guys start to settle in their roles. Caleb is going to be a top scorer for this team. He’s improved his form and accuracy from beyond the arc. He continues to work on his ability to score off the bounce and focus on taking quality shots. Cody on the other hand has started to fill up the box score in multiple categories and is showing his ability to play at high levels at multiple positions.

They both played huge roles in State’s win over LSU and will need to build on that if State wants to start making a run before ACC play begins.

Scouting Winthrop
The Eagles are coming into this one 4-0. While they don’t have any big name wins, they are scoring the basketball at a pretty impressive clip. They actually scored 208 points combined in their first two games. Since then they have games of 80 and 79. They are led by two skilled guards in Keon Johnson and Jimmy Gavin.

Johnson is averaging 17.5 ppg and lit up USC Upstate for 32 points just this Tuesday. These guys can shoot and if NC State learned anything against William and Mary it’s that they don’t necessarily matchup well against smaller, quicker teams who can fill it up from beyond the arc.

You know that Winthop is a quality opponent if they made it onto Mark Gottfried’s schedule. They are picked to finish 3rd in the Big South and are not a team to be taken lightly by the Pack.