NC State takes on Nebraska tonight in ACC – Big Ten Challenge | Game Preview and How to Watch

NC State Wolfpack vs Nebraska
ACC – Big Ten Challange
Time: 7:15pm
Location: Raleigh, NC
TV: ESPNU
Line: NC State -6

Preview of The Nebraska Cornhuskers
Nebraska comes in at 5-2 on the season with losses to Western Illinois and Creighton. They haven’t beaten anyone of any significance to this point and are ranked 100th overall by Ken Pom (NC state ranks 60th).

The Huskers are led by 6’7 freshman guard, Bryce McGowans. He’s leading them in points (17.7) and rebounds (6.9). He also is averaging 2 assists per game and shooting 47% from the field (but only 28% from 3). He’s been having a lot of success early in the season, but a lot of that comes from the fact that he’s faced big-time mismatches against smaller teams. Against NC State he’ll likely be up against another 6’7 guard in Dereon Seabron, which will certainly make things tougher for him. You can get a feel for his game with this video from earlier in the season…

McGowans is streaky from deep, but also is known to take some bad shots. He’s shooting, as we said, 28% from downtown. Most of his damage is done on the drive, where honestly, he’s really good. He has great body control and can change direction well for his size. He uses his spin move a lot, and is deceptive with his footwork. He really is a lot like Dereon Seabron, so it’ll be interesting to see how that matchup plays out.

After McGowans, the Huskers have 6’1 senior guard Alonzo Verge Jr, who is a decent scorer himself but also doesn’t shoot well from outside. He’s averaging 13 points, 5 boards and 6 assists per game.

Then there’s their big, 6’9, 235lb junior, Derrick Walker. He’s a decent big, who is kind of a tweener. He’s not a power big, and he’s not versatile enough to spread the floor, but he gets the job done for them. He’s averaging 10 points and 5 boards per game and shooting over 80% from the floor (he doesn’t shoot much). He’s also not a great shot blocker.

Overall, NC State matches up really well with Nebraska. The Huskers don’t shoot the 3 well and they don’t have a dominant big. Those are the 2 things NC State struggles with. The Pack should be able to clamp down and sink a little to make things tough on Verge Jr and McGowans and to limit space for Walker. This may open up some 3 point shots, but Nebraksa shoots it at a 28% clip, so that might not be such a bad thing.

Keys for the Wolfpack

• Lockdown McGowans. If he isn’t scoring, the Huskers don’t have many backup options.
• Give help down low on Walker. Don’t let Nebraska spread it out and attack Dowuona.
• Hellems needs to stay hot. When Hellems is on, NC State can put up points fast.
• Allow Seabron to attack McGowans. Putting pressure on the freshman is key. He hasn’t faced a guard as versatile and big as Seabron.