KEYS TO THE GAME: 3 things NC State must do to get an NIT first-round win over Davidson

NC State faces off against Davidson tonight in the first round of the NIT, in a game that is pretty interesting when you start digging into the stats.

On paper, Davidson looks like an elite offense, but who have they really played? Are they really, really good at scoring. Or are they just really, really good at scoring in the A-10?

To understand that, we need to figure out what they’re doing well and how they’re doing it, which brings us to our first key…

1. Stop Davidson’s dribble penetration from Grady and Collins

Davidson really relies on dribble penetration to make their offense hum. Sure, they run a motion of sorts, but more times than not they ask Kellan Grady and Carter Collins to create off the dribble. The most dangerous is Grady who is a 6’5, physical guard who can finish around the rim or knock down jumpers. Think of him as Davidson’s version of Devon Daniels, except he’s a better passer. And it’s not only Grady. Collins, who is 6’3, 190lbs likes to get in there too.

When they get in there they don’t hesitate to pass it right back out if the defense collapses and that is where their shooters are. Everyone on this team can shoot, so if you leave them open they’ll hit. The problem is, they aren’t very athletic and if you don’t let them catch and shoot, they really aren’t going to beat you off the dribble.

So the key for NC State is to keep Crady and Collins out of the middle, and stay in front of them so you don’t require help. The more you have to help, the more Davidson is going to capitalize.

This will be another game where Keatts is going to figure out how to get Beverly involved without hurting State defensively. I’m not sure if there’s a way to do, especially with the style of play Davidson likes to play (bully ball with their guards).

In the A-10, with smaller, weaker guards, this tandem was able to get inside, demand help, and find their shooters. Don’t help? Well, they’ll finish on you.

However, with Cam Hayes and Seabron (and possibly at times Hellems) able to out-size them, will they be as dangerous going to the hoop? And if they’re not as dangerous going to the hoop, do you need to send help? And if you’re not sending help, how does Davidson get their shooters freed up?

That point brings us to our next key…

2. Do not let Hyunjung Lee get free!

Hyungjung Lee can stroke it. The 6’7 Sophomore is shooting 44% from 3pt range, 51% from the field and 90% from the FT line. He’s an elite shooter at every level and is scoring 13.5 pts per game.

DO. NOT. LEAVE. HYUNJUNG!

Don’t help off. Don’t get spun around watching a driver. Don’t let this guy out of your sight. He’s got a very quick release and he really moves well without the ball.

The good news is that Lee isn’t really a threat off the dribble. So if you make sure you stick with him and don’t let him leak free, he’s not really going to be a threat against someone like Seabron or Hellems.

3. Out-athlete them.

NC State has the advantage if they can really speed up Davidson, and with the Pack’s length and athleticism they should be able to do just that. Davidson really lacks a serious ball handler, and while Grady and Collins can both handle it alright, if you can press them and make them make quick decisions, they will get flustered.

On offense, NC State has a quickness advantage. Funderburk is going to be able to face up and beat their 6’10 4-man, Luke Brajkovic, off the dribble. Hellems has an advantage over Lee and Bates is definitely more springy than Sam Mennenga the 6’9 center.

In the backcourt, Cam Hayes and Seabron are both quicker and more athletic than the Davidson guards, and Shakeel Moore…well, Shakeel Moore is going to like his matchup.

Moore’s quickness and athleticism is going to be a problem for Davidson. They don’t have a guy who can stay with Moore, however, they do have some trees that could frustrate Shak’s ability to finish when he gets in the middle.

It will be interesting to see what happens, but we think Moore and Funderburk could potentially have a big night tonight for NC State.

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If the Pack brings the energy and can make sure to take care of these 3 keys, then we believe NC State wins and moves on.