NC State vs. Virginia Tech: Info, Preview, Keys to the Game & How to Watch

NC State Wolfpack vs Virginia Tech Hokies
Gametime: 9:00 pm
Streaming: Fox Sports South (RSN)
Location: Blacksburg, VA

Getting to know the Hokies…

NC State takes on Virginia Tech today at 9pm (on the Fox Sports South/RSN ). The Hokies come into this game at 16- 7 on the season and 5-5 in the ACC. They are coming off a 9 point home loss to Miami, but this team is no pushover. They are a veteran squad with 5 guys averaging in double-digits. They shoot over 50% from the field and 40% from 3pt range.

The verdict is still out on just who Virginia Tech really is. They are only 2-4 vs. the RPI Top 50, with their lone major win coming against UNC.  The Pack is going to want to focus on stopping Justin Bibb (6’5, SR guard), Ahmed Hill (6’5, JR guard) and Kerry Blacksheer Jr. (6’10, JR forward).  These are their top scorers and guys that have been very consistent for them all season long, but the guy who sets them up is Justin Robinson. The 6’2 junior lefty is a true facilitator. He’s currently 2nd in the ACC in assists at 5.7 and does it by getting in the lane and kicking it out to his shooters.

Keys to the game for NC State…

• Keep Robinson out of the lane– It will be interesting to see how State defends Robinson. When the Pack as struggling, they were allowing a lot of penetration from opp0sing PGs, but since the return of Markell Johnson they’ve been able to cut that down.. That is Robinson’s game and it’s what makes the Hokies go.  VT is going to run out a bunch of 6’5 guys, a 6’10 guy and Robinson at 6’2. Beverly will likely get this matchup, because of size alone, but it will be tough on him. If he can’t stop penetration, then look for Keatts to have to make an adjustment.
• Create turnovers and own the offensive glass. These are two areas where the Hokies struggle. They don’t really create many turnovers and they are pretty bad on the glass. Meanwhile, NC State thrives in these areas and will need to do so again tonight. Remember, this team is 3rd in the nation in eFG% and they’re playing at home. State doesn’t want to rely on out-gunning the Hokies. They should focus on creating extra pssessions for themselves via TOs and ORBs.
• Will Yurtseven force VT to go big, or will they force Keatts to go small? The Hokies have at times used 6’6 junior Chris Clarke as their 5 man, going extremely small and creating mismatches all over the floor. If they try this, NC State needs to make them pay early by feeding Yurtseven on the block. If they don’t, they’ll find themselves in a bit of a bad situation. Yurtseven hasn’t been great against mobile bigs and it’s put him in foul trouble throughout the season. State can’t let the Hokies do this. These big/small mismatches will be a chess game that Keatts and Buzz Williams will be engaged in all game long.
• State needs the real Abu back. He had 8 points and 5 boards in 30 minutes against ND, but is he really back? State better hope so. because this is a game where he could do damage. If they succeed in bothering Yurtseven with a smaller lineup, then Keatts will have to adjust and Abu is the perfect player for that adjustment. He’s capable of guarding a 6’6/6’7 tweener and he’s also capable of bringing that tweener down to the block and punishing them. Abu needs to start every game by flashing his power around the rim before floating out for the jumpers. He has too often fallen in love with the 15 footer and it has hurt his minutes. Against VT he’ll have an opportunity to really have his way on the blocks. We’ll be watching closely to see if he capitalizes.
• Focus and grind it out- This is a road game, coming off 3 wins with their rivalry game against Carolina coming up next. This can’t be a game you overlook. Everything is pointing to a game where they ease off the pedal and attempt to coast into the UNC game, but so far Keatts has been able to keep them laser-focused on the game at and. Can he do it again? If so, then the Pack will have massive momentum heading into their matchup with the Heels.