NC State vs. Wake Forest: Info, Preview, Keys to the game & How to Watch

NC State Wolfpack vs Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Gametime: 4:00 pm
TV: ACC Network (Fox 50 in Raleigh)
Location: Winston-Salem, NC

Getting reacquainted with the Deacs…

• Since last time these two met, Wake has dropped 6 of their last 8
• 2nd to last in ACC at 3-11
• Coming off a win over 79-62 win over Georgia Tech
• 7’1 junior center Doral Moore is playing great basketball. Last 3 games he has notched double-doubles.
• Over last 3 games, Moore has 43 points and 38 rebounds.
• 6’3 junior guard Bryant Crawford has also been dominant. Over past 3 games, he has 63 points and 23 assists.

Keys to the game for NC State…

• Get Yurtseven back on track. He’s played just so-so over the past few games. They need him in this one. He had 22 points and dominated Moore their first meeting.
• Play your game. There isn’t any crazy game plan in this one. These teams match-up pretty well and there aren’t many mismatches that NC State needs to worry about. Who plays harder and executes better? That is who will win.
• Stop Moore and Crawford. These are the guys that Wake is going to go to. Yurt did a good job vs. Moore in game one, but he’s a better player now. Crawford wants to get to the basket, and that has been a problem for NC State this season. Markell must keep him out of the lane, but he’s been playing at a very high level.
• Dominate on the boards. In game one, NC State won the battle on the glass 44-37. That is one of the big stats to watch in this game. If State can win there and in the turnover column, they have a huge advantage.
• Get Dorn going. Torin Dorn is the x-factor on this NC State team and he has a matchup he could take advantage of today (6’7 Terrance Thompson). Dorn had 11 points in the first meeting, but he missed a lot of open shots. He’s been hot as of late and could have a big game today.
• A Beverly Game. This is the type of game where Braxton Beverly will play a big role. He has a good matchup with Wilbekin (a guy who matches him in size and quickness) and he had 10 points, 9 assists and 5 boars in the first meeting.
• Keep up the hot shooting! NC State is coming off a 2 game streak where they’ve put up their best shooting %’s in the ACC season. 55.1% vs Syracuse and 54.7% vs. UNC. It’s not luck, it’s shot selection and playing unselfishly that is leading to this hot streak.