Previewing NC State’s Opponent: #10 Kansas

NC State has their hands full this afternoon, playing on the road against Kansas at 3:15 on ESPN. Before the Wolfpack and the Jayhawks tipoff, here’s a preview of NC State’s opponent.

Kanas is 7-2, and they are looking to snap a 2-game losing streak. After starting the season ranked #1 in the AP Preseason Poll, the Jayhawks won their first 7 games, which included wins over Duke, Michigan St. and UNC. The wins over the Blue Devils and Spartans are Quad 1 wins, and the win over the Tar Heels is a Quad 2 win.

They also defeated UNCW, Furman, Howard and Oakland.

The Jayhawks have lost their last two games against Creighton and Missouri, with both losses being Quad 1 losses. Neither team is ranked in the AP Top-25 currently.

Kansas ranks in the Top-25 in Adjusted Offensive and Defensive Efficiency, ranking 22nd in Offense, and 8th in Defense.

On offense, the Jayhawks rank 1st in the Big 12 in Field Goal Percentage (48.8%). Kansas will kill you from inside the three-point line (51st in 2-Point Percentage), but they aren’t that good from beyond the arc, and struggle from the free throw line. The Jayhawks rank 11th in the Big 12 in 3-Point Percentage (33.2%), and rank 181st in Free Throw Percentage (72.1%). Their biggest issue from the charity stripe isn’t making them, but getting to the line period. Kansas ranks 361st out of 364 schools in Free Throw Rate. Another weakness of the Jayhawks, is their inability to grab Offensive boards, ranking 232rd in Offensive Rebounding Percentage.

On defense, Kansas ranks 3rd in the Big 12 in Field Goal Percentage Defense, holding their opponents to 41% shooting from the field. Their greatest strength on defense is their ability to box out and keep their opponent off the offensive glass and their discipline to not foul and put their opponents on the free throw line. Kansas ranks 9th in Opponents Offensive Rebound Percentage.

On the other hand, they are aggressive on defense, ranking 217th in Defensive Free Throw Rate.

Kansas is a veteran team. Their top 3 scorers are all Seniors.

NC State hasn’t played a player like Jayhawk Senior Center Hunter Dickinson. He’s a 7’2″ Center, who is averaging 7’2″, and weighs 265 pounds. Dickinson averages 15.0 points and 9.6 rebounds, shooting 54.4% from the field. He’s also hit 5 three-pointers this season.

Senior Guard Zeke Mayo is Kansas’ 2nd leading scorer, averaging 10.9 points per game. He’s not a great shooter, making 41.3% from the field, and 31.1% from three.

Senior Guard Dajuan Harris Jr. is averaging 10.7 points per game, and is the Jayhawks’ leader in assists, averaging 5.9 per game.