NC State is all set to take on Boston University today at 4:30pm at the PNC (on RSN). They will be looking to get back on track after a tough 88-74 loss to Illinois. Here is what you need to know:
– On Boston University
The Terriers come in to this one 4-3, and while they don’t have any true quality wins, they did nearly knock off UConn a few days ago. Now, that was actually UConn’s first home win, so really it doesn’t say much, but still noteworthy nonetheless.
Boston will be relying on senior guard Eric Fanning for most of their scoring. Fanning dropped 21 on UConn and is averaging over 16ppg right now. He is a big 6’5 guard with a nice stroke and while he isn’t the quickest guy on the court, he is a high IQ ball player. Check him out here.
The Terriers also have been decent on the boards, something that NC State is really going to need to pay attention to. They out-rebounded UConn 44-42.
– On Mav Rowan
It’s been almost 3 weeks and we are still wondering when NC State will welcome back Maverick Rowan from concussion. The sophomore shooter has been sorely missed, but that may change today. Gottfried said he was hoping to have Mav back in this game, but still was not 100% sure on if he’d be cleared.
Getting Rowan back would be a big plus for NC State. They have missed his experience, his shooting and his ability to score in the mid-range. Lately the Pack has mostly been relying on drives to the rim or 3 pointers. It will be nice to have a big guard like Rowan who can exploit mismatches and score from multiple areas on the floor. Let’s hope he suits up
– On Torin Dorn
If NC State is going to beat Boston University, they are likely once again going to be leaning or Torin Dorn. Dorn has been great and really is coming on as the Wolfpack’s glue guy. Now, usually when you say glue guy you are talking about a player who isn’t a super talent, but maybe is a hustle player who is good for team chemistry. Dorn is different. He does all the dirty work, plus he scores. He’s shooing at a high clip, which was unexpected, especially from 3pt range. Over the past 4 games, Dorn is shooting over 70% from 3. Gottfried talks about why that might be the case.
It looked like Smith was making great progress, but yesterday’s game set him back. What in the hell was he thinking out there. At this rate, Johnson should be the point guard of choice. At least he plays some defense. Smith has played too much no defense AAU ball. If he was a regular player, you cover overlook these problems. He is a one and done, therefore he is just taking up space now.
wolfpack74
7 years ago
This lineup sucks. Hopefully Yurtseven will change the makeup of this team. Rowan needs to come back also. If not, this team is doomed for the NIT at best.
mc991
7 years ago
Not there yet, but better. Defense looked better (minus last minute), and think we would have won by more if shots had been falling. Had good looks, just didn’t go in. Gotta get some of the guys in the gym to work on FTs though.
#11 seed NC State will play #2 seed Marquette tomorrow night in the Sweet 16. What would a win mean for the Wolfpack? Many things, but here’s just a few:
It would give NC State 25 wins on the year (25-14), which would be the most wins since 1982-83, when the Wolfpack went 26-10, winning the National Championship.
It would mark the 12th time in school history that NC State has won 25+ games in a single season.
1982-83 – 26-10
1973-74 – 30-1
1972-73 – 27-0
1954-55 – 28-4
1953-54 – 26-7
1952-53 – 26-6
1950-51 – 30-7
1949-50 – 27-6
1948-49 – 25-8
1947-48 – 29-3
1946-47- 26-5
It would be the 7th time NC State has advanced to the Elite 8 in the NCAA Tournament.
NC State is 1 of 4 schools to have their Men and Women’s Basketball teams BOTH advance to the Sweet 16, along with Duke, Gonzaga and UCONN.
NC State and Duke are the only two schools in the country to send both Basketball teams to the Sweet 16, and also send the Football team to a bowl game.
This marks only the third time in school history that BOTH teams made the Sweet 16.
Years NC State’s Men & Women’s Teams Made the Sweet 16
1985
1989
2024
Despite the fact that the Men’s team has made the Elite 8 six times (1950, 1951, 1974, 1983, 1985, 1986), and the Women have made it 2 times (1998 & 2022), in the three occasions they both went to the Sweet 16 in the same year, neither team advanced to the Elite 8.
#3 seed NC State held on last night, defeating #6 seed Tennessee 79-72 in Reynolds Coliseum to advance to the Sweet 16 for the 5th time in the last 6 tournaments.
The Wolfpack led by only 1 after the 1st Quarter, but they looked like they had things under control at halftime, leading by 18 points.
At one point, NC State led by as much as 20 points in the 3rd Quarter, but the Lady Volunteers weren’t about to give up.
With 4:19 left in the 4th, Tennessee cut the lead to 2 points, but NC State might have bent, but they wouldn’t break.
Junior Guard Aziaha James led the way with 22 points and 7 assists, which were both team highs. She scored 7 points in the final 3.5 minutes, helping to squash tue Last Vols’ comeback attempt.
Junior Guard Saniya Rivers had 20 points (6-14 FG) and 6 boards.
Freshman Zoe Brooks was clutch off the bench, chipping in 16 points and 6 boards.
This marks the 16th time the NC State Women’s Basketball team has advanced to the Sweet 16.
The Wolfpack will play #2 seed Stanford on Friday night at 7:30pm on ESPN in Portland.
It looked like Smith was making great progress, but yesterday’s game set him back. What in the hell was he thinking out there. At this rate, Johnson should be the point guard of choice. At least he plays some defense. Smith has played too much no defense AAU ball. If he was a regular player, you cover overlook these problems. He is a one and done, therefore he is just taking up space now.
This lineup sucks. Hopefully Yurtseven will change the makeup of this team. Rowan needs to come back also. If not, this team is doomed for the NIT at best.
Not there yet, but better. Defense looked better (minus last minute), and think we would have won by more if shots had been falling. Had good looks, just didn’t go in. Gotta get some of the guys in the gym to work on FTs though.