NC State Basketball
NC State Wolfpack vs UVA Cavaliers Keys to the Game
The Wolfpack looks to prolong UVA’s four-game losing streak as well as give Head Coach Mark Gottfried one last win at PNC. The Pack has some momentum following their road win over Georgia Tech this past Tuesday night. What are the keys to the game for NC State to beat Virginia?
Do not help Virginia’s struggling offense.
UVA has been bad as of late when it comes to scoring points. In their four-game losing streak, they have averaged 55.5 PPG compared to their average of 65.4 PPG in ACC play. NC State must take care of the basketball to guard against easy transition buckets for Virginia. Defensively The Wolfpack need to contest jumpers and secure defensive rebounds. The Cavaliers are struggling to score baskets, NC State cannot surrender easy second chance buckets or layups in transition if they are going to win.
The Pack needs to be decisive on the offense end.
The Cavaliers have the number one ranked defense when it comes to points allowed. In ACC play UVA allows 61.7 PPG. NC State will need to make quick decisions when attacking against UVA’s defense. Terry Henderson needs to have another big game as he did against Georgia Tech. Three of NC State’s four ACC wins Terry has scored over 20 points, the Pack needs him to score. Dennis Smith must not over dribble because Virginia is too good at staying in front of the basketball. NC State’s best chance at solving UVA’s defense is with quick ball movement not hesitating or holding the ball too long. Mark Gottfried should turn to Johnson again to encourage more ball movement.
Energy.
NC State needs to have lots of energy this Saturday to beat a tough UVA team. In what will be Mark Gottfried’s last game at PNC Arena his players need to send him out with a win. NC State needs to play hard for 40 minutes to beat a disciplined Virginia team. The Cavaliers style of play can be frustrating; however, NC State needs to have positive body language, to play through the ups and downs.
Two games remain for NC State until the ACC Tournament commences in Brooklyn. They will have to try and beat another solid defensive team this Saturday at the PNC Arena. Saturday’s game marks the final home game for Mark Gottfried and his staff. Seniors Terry Henderson and BeeJay Anya will be playing their final home game for NC State. Dennis Smith will be moving on as well due to his projection of being a sure-fire lottery pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. Can the Pack finish the home slate with a win over UVA? Game time is at 12 o’clock with coverage on ESPN.
Worst case scenario I think we keep Bobby Lutz on the back burner. He’s not the ideal candidate but he’s a solid coach. He would just need some good recruiters on his staff because I hear that he’s not that big into recruiting himself. I wonder where we would be right now had we hired him as head coach 11 seasons ago? I remember his Charlotte squad pounded Sendek’s team years ago.
I hope Yow learned some lessons from her last coaching search. Here are my keys to the search:
1. Stay away from established coaches – for a seasoned coach this may not be an upgrade
2. Don’t allow coaches to use this opportunity to get a raise at current job – if they are not excited about the job walk away
3. Don’t lowball – this cost us a couple of options the last time
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4. Young coaches will show some reverence at the coaches in the triangle/ACC – don’t hold that against them
5. Don’t necessarily have to hire for next 20 years – during the Sidney Lowe search I was high on coach Fisher (formerly of Michigan U and now at SDSU) – ppl kept saying he was too old but guess what? He’s still coaching 11 seasons later
If you are in the midst of a losing streak, play State.
Cavs break out of shooting slump against Gottfried coached team… no surprises there.