NC State Wolfpack vs. #25 Miami Hurricanes
Gametime: 12:00 pm
Streaming: ACC Network (WRAL)
Location: Raleigh, NC

Getting to know Miami…
The Hurricanes come into this game at 13-4 on the season and 2-3 in the ACC. Their best wins have been over#12 Minnesota and #24 FSU. They have lost New Mexico State, Georgia Tech, #19 Clemson, and #5 Duke. They ar currently on a 2 game losing streak.

They are a young team whose main production comes from their freshmen and sophomores. They start a freshman, two sophs, a junior and a senior.

The main scorers are both sophomores Dewan Huell (6’11) and Bruce Brown Jr. (6’5).

Huell is huge and decently versatile. He does nearly all his damage around the rim, but when you’re that tall and athletic, why wouldn’t you. NC State needs to keep him boxed out and not allow him to catch it too deep. He is averaging a team-high 14 points and 7 rebounds per game.

Then there is Bruce Brown Jr. He’s a bigger guard who can really score it. He’s not going to beat you from 3, but he’s good at getting in the lane and creating. He averages 11 points, a team-high 7 boards, and 3.8 assist per game. This is the guy you have to stop. He is shooting only 25% from 3, so they need to make sure they go under ball screens and dare him to beat you from beyond the arc. Onc he gets penetration, he’s tough to stop. He knows how to use his body and he’s athletic.

Lonnie Walker is a 6’4 freshman who is interesting. He’s really athletic and he’s obviously going to be one of their go-to guys one day, but right now he’s still adjusting. But that doesn’t mean the Pack can take it easy on him. He’s athletic and he’s a decent shooter, so he’s the type of guy who can quietly beat you if you aren’t ready for him. He’s averaging 9 ppg.

Their shooter is 6’3 Dejan Vasiljevie. He’s pretty much the guy that sits out by the 3 point line and waits for the guards to drive, draw and kick. He’s hitting around 36% from long range, which isn’t great from your spot shooter, but that’s what they’ve got.

Their experience comes from Anthony Lawrence II, who you likely remember. He’s a 6’7 do it all type guy. He’s not super athletic, but he’s a physical on the blocks and can knock down the 15 footer. This is a good matchup for L. Freeman or Abu.

Keys to the game for NC State…

• Speed them up. With Markell Johnson back, NC State has the opportunity to really bother the Miami guards. This is a young team that can be bothered by pressure. They are athletic, but they are also not an extremely disciplined bunch. If Johnson and Batts can make their PGs give up the basketball, then things could get rough for the Hurricanes.
• Keep feeding Yurtseven. This is now your go-to guy. Yurtseven has emerged as a true scoring threat for NC State, and he can really give a guy like Miami’s Huell fits. Huell wants to stay near the basket, block shots and get rebounds. He’s not used to closing out on a pick and pop shooter. NC State is going to be able to force him to respect Yurt at the top of the key, giving guys like Dorn, Lennard Freeman, and Abu room to work.
• Hold off penetration. Miami isn’t a great shooting team. They also don’t have a big that a big that is a fundamental scorer on the blocks. Huell is their leading scorer, yes, but he’s not a polished back to the basket scorer. He gets a lot of his buckets off of putbacks, and dump offs from driving guards. Miami’s entire offense is about penetration. If you don’t let their guards into the lane, then it’s going to be very tough for them to score. Stopping Brown is the real task. He’s big, quick and physical and he is going to be a matchup problem for the Pack. Torin Dorn may slot in at the 3 in this game, so he could take on that assignment, but he’s not really a great on the ball defender against guys who are as shifty as Brown. So, how will Keatts play it? This is a matchup to watch.
• The Beverly/Johnson combo. These two guys played well off each other against Wake and will likely see more time together going forward. Johnson takes some of the pressure off Beverly in creating off the dribble and bringing the ball up at times, which allows Braxton to get space andplaymakere off of kicks from Johnson (and vice-versa).
• Lennard and Abu will be factors. These two didn’t see much time against Wake, but Miami is big and NC State will need to match that. Freeman could have a big game going against Lawrence, and if Abu would start to attack the rim, he too could end up being a major contributor in this one. NC State needs these two to show up.
• What will you get from Al Freeman? It will be interesting to see. He’s decreased his volume shooting, but it hasn’t helped his efficiency. He’s shooting a team worst 33.1% from the floor, but his game is tailored to being a ‘break you down’ scorer. Can he adjust? Let’s hope so. This is a game where the Pack could really use good minutes from a bigger guard. But he’s seemed lost as he’s tried to transition to a more team-oriented role.