Preview: NC State vs Wake Forest

With four home games remaining, NC State needs a win tomorrow to gain some much needed momentum to carry them through the rest of the season. As of right now the Pack stands at 12-12 overall and 2-9 in the ACC. Best case scenario the Pack rips off 7 straight and finishes 19-12 and 9-9 in the ACC, but you probably have a better chance at winning the PowerBall than State does of winning out. It has been a disappointing season to say the least, but in tomorrow’s contest versus the Demon Deacons the Pack should win.

The Demon Deacons have not had much success on the season as they stand 10-14 with a 1-11 ACC record. They are led by Devon Thomas, the power forward is averaging 16.2 points per game and 9.8 boards per game. If Thomas gets going early, NC State could be in trouble. State has to keep Thomas from getting the high energy buckets that he thrives on. He loves getting tip ins and put back dunks, these are the plays that keep him going. It will be up to Abu, Anya, and Freeman to keep him off the glass, and foul him when in doubt! Devon Thomas is a poor free throw shooter at 59%.

After Thomas the Deacons rely on 6-3 freshman Bryant Crawford. On the season he is averaging 13.3 points per game and is second only to Thomas in minutes per game (30.4). Crawford has been less than efficient inside the arc shooting 39% from the field; however, he has been lethal from beyond the arc. Shooting 42% from the three is a solid number especially considering he is a freshman. The Pack must run him off the 3 point line and force him into contested 2s.

It doesn’t take long to see why NC State and Wake Forest have been bottom dwellers this season…simply put they are both poor defensively. Wake Forest is dead last in the ACC allowing 79.4 points per game. The Pack ranks 12th at 72.5. The last time these two teams played there were a combined 151 points scored, State losing 74-77. I expect the same tomorrow, a tightly contested high scoring affair.

At this point in the season it is about pride for both teams. Neither team looks to be destined for post season play, but that doesn’t mean strides cannot be made that will pay dividends next season. Coach Mark Gottfried is not going to throw in the towel, I am sure this past week has been filled with productive practices. The main focus has to be on getting stops come tomorrow. State has proved they can score with any team, but they have not been able to stop anyone. In their last 5 games they are giving up a staggering 82.4 points per game. That is an alarming number that must be improved upon! Any team in college basketball letting up that many points will fall on the wrong side of the win/loss column more times than not.

Game time is scheduled for 12:00 o’clock at the PNC Arena and can be seen on FS South.