NC State heads back into conference play vs. Miami | Preview, Breakdown and How to Watch

NC State Wolfpack @ Miami Hurricanes
Time: 9:00pm
Location: Miami, FL
TV: ESPNU
Line: Miami -3
Ken Pom Prediction: Miami 75 – NC State 71

NC State is coming off a 2 game losing streak (one that we warned you about) and heading back into ACC play to take on Miami.

Miami is coming off a 5 game winning streak, with the only notable win was against Clemson. But don’t get it twisted, Miami is a good team. They are 9-3 so far this season. They do however have a 30 point loss to #10 Alabama, a 16 point loss to Dayton and 6 point loss to UCF.

The good news for NC State is that this is a team more their speed. Both Richmond and Wright State were very disciplined, fundamental teams, which sadly, NC State seems to have no chance against. Miami, on the other hand, is big, athletic and a bit out of control (the type of team State was built to beat).

Miami is almost fully relient on guard play. Kameron McGusty, their leading scorer, is a 6’5 Oklahoma transfer who is averaging 18+ points per game and shooting 43% from long range. McGusty can shoot, but he’s at his best in transition or driving to the hoop where he is able to finish at the rim, or with a floater.

Then there is the crazy quick and athletic Isaiah Wong. Wong is a 6’3 sophomore guard who is averaging over 15 points per game. He’s only shooting 32% from long range, so he’s not really someone that is going to light you up form deep, but it doesn’t matter. His extreme shiftiness is going to be a problem for the Pack.

Outside of those two, you have the 5’11 senior Charlie Moore who is averaging 10 and 6’10 senior Sam Waardenburg who is averaging 7, but can step out and knock down the 3.

Although State is favored to lose this game, we think this is a good matchup for them and we believe this is a very winnable road game.

For State, the keys are going to be getting a good game from Hellems (he’ll have a good matchup) and Terquavion Smith. The X-factor, however, will be the play of Casey Morsell who hasn’t been the same since going down with an ankle injury. With a week off, we think he should be back to full speed and ready to contribute. If the Pack can get good scoring production from those guys, they win.

Defensively, they match up pretty well. Miami doesn’t have a dominant post presence (which is another area State struggles), and they rely on their big athletic guards (something State has a plethora of).

Overall, like we said, this is a winnable game and one that can put the Wolfpack back on the right track as ACC plays begins to ramp up.