NC State 74 Miami 68: BY THE NUMBERS

NC State was in desperate need of a win this evening, and the Wolfpack got what they needed, defeating Miami 74-68 in PNC Arena, snapping a 3-game losing streak. Here’s a look at NC State’s victory BY THE NUMBERS.

• The Wolfpack shot 48.1% from the field.
  • NC State has won every game but one in which they have shot 45% or better this season.
• The Wolfpack shot 42.9% from three, making 9 from beyond the arc.
  • The last time NC State made nine 3-pointers was on January 13th, when the Wolfpack made 10 in a win at Louisville.
• Senior Guard Michael O’Connell started for the 2nd time this season.
  • The other game O’Connell started was in the Wolfpack’s road win at Louisville.
  • NC State is 2-0 when Michael O’Connell is in the starting lineup.
  • O’Connell led the Wolfpack in assists (5) and steals (3).
• Senior Guard DJ Horne led NC State in scoring with 24 points.
  • This marks the 9th time Horne has led the Wolfpack in scoring this season (Morsell is next with 5).
  • Horne was 7 of 14 from the field and 3 of 7 from three.
  • This was the 6th time this season Horne has scored 20+ points.
• Senior Guard Casey Morsell had 17 points, shooting 6 of 9 from the field, and 3 of 4 from beyond the arc.
  • Believe it or not, this was the first time Morsell has hit three 3-pointers since he hit 4 in the win over Saint Louis on December 20th.
• Junior Guard Jayden Taylor was the only other player that scored in double figures, scoring 12.
  • He also had three 3-pointers (3-9).
  • Taylor led NC State in rebounds (7) and blocks (3).
• Horne, Morsell and Taylor each had 3 three-pointers.
• Senior Forward DJ Burns had 3 fouls, and only played 13 minutes.
  • Juniors Mohamed Diarra and Ben Middlebrooks both played more minutes than Burns, playing 14 and 15 respectively.
• NC State’s defense held Miami to 36.4% shooting from the field and 25% from three.
• After last game, Wolfpack head coach Kevin Keatts emphasized that his team needed to rebound better.
  • I wouldn’t say that happened tonight, with Miami winning the Rebounding margin by +15.
  • The Hurricanes scored 19 second chance points (the Wolfpack had 8).
  • Miami had 20 offensive rebounds.
    • That’s the most by a Wolfpack opponent this season by 5.
  • With NC State defensively holding Miami to such a poor shooting percentage, they were close to not walking off their home court with a win due to failing to box out.
• NC State pretty much led this thing from beginning to end, leading for 35:41.
  • Miami led for 1:50.
• NC State was a 3.5-point favorite.
  • They covered the spread.
• The Total was 154.5.
  • If you bet the Under, you were in good shape, with the two teams combining for 142 points.
• NC State went with a small starting lineup, starting 4 Guards (Horne, Morsell, Taylor and O’Connell) with Burns.
  • Dennis Parker Jr. only played 6 minutes.