NC State @ Miami 
4:30pm | Miami, Fl | TV: RSN
NC State travels down to the sunshine state to take on the Miami Hurricanes to kick off the ACC season. Mark Gottfried will need his group of young players to up their play to escape Miami with a victory. Game time is at 4:30 and can be seen on RSN. What are the keys to the game for the Wolfpack?

NC State must be patient offensively in order to solve Miami’s sound defense…

The Hurricanes sport one of the stoutest defenses in the country as they are ranked 8th nationally, giving up 58.6 PPG. NC State will have to display discipline when attacking the basket. Miami has plenty of size in both the backcourt and frontcourt which allows them to alter teams shots. NC State will need to seek out contact when attacking the paint and not worry about getting blocked. Malik Abu and Omer Yurtseven should be able to outplay Miami’s frontcourt if they are patient instead of rushing shots. Wolfpack guards will need to be strong and challenge Miami defenders off the dribble with penetration. If Dennis Smith and company can get into the paint Miami will be in full scramble mode, which will lead to easy buckets. NC State cannot settle for contested jump shots.

Turn Ja’Quan Newton into a passer…

Newton can score in a variety of ways, including off the dribble, pull-up jumpers, and floaters. Three-point shooting has not been a strength for Newton. Thus far Newton is only shooting 33% from the arc; however, he has only attempted 18 on the season. NC State must take advantage of this knowledge! Dennis Smith and Terry Henderson must stay on their feet and not bite on shot fakes from the perimeter when matched up with Newton. Ja’Quan wants to attack the paint where he is most effective. Newton has struggled with turnovers he has registered 39 in 12 games. It will take a team defensive effort to force Newton into passing versus scoring. NC State has to like their chances if they limit Newton’s shot attempts forcing the ball out of his hands.

NC State needs to keep playing unselfishly and for each other…

The Pack is averaging 22 APG over the last four games. Dennis Smith has spearheaded the attack for NC State leading the charge in assists. The Hurricanes have one of the best defenses in the country but even the best defenses break down after a couple of rotations. NC State needs to keep playing with movement and not revert to hero ball this Saturday. Keeping the ball moving will go a long way towards winning this Saturday.

Timing will be critical for NC State…

Mark Gottfried’s team cannot afford to be lackadaisical in running their offense. Dennis Smith needs to take control by getting into their sets quickly. Miami’s defense is too good to allow them the extra defender known as the shot clock. It will be imperative that the Pack cuts hard off the ball to get open to initiate the offense near the three-point line. Malik Abu must work with his feet and not his hands to avoid senselessly offensive fouls. NC State will win if they run their sets efficiently and in the optimal range (not so far away from the three-point line).

Saturday will be exciting for NC State as they kick off their ACC season on New Year’s Eve. It will also be refreshing to play a talented team with a shot to make the NCAA Tournament. The Wolfpack has a chance to end 2016 with a road ACC win!