KEYS TO THE GAME: NC State takes on UNC today, here are 4 things they need to do

NC State takes on UNC today in Raleigh at 4pm in a game that could change the trajectory of the Wolfpack’s season.

UNC comes in 10-6 with the Pack currently at 9-6. UNC’s has 2 impressive wins. A 2-point win over #18 UCLA and a win over Dayton at a neutral site. While NC State still really doesn’t have a real quality win. If NC State can secure this home win, they’d be 3-2 in the conference with 3 straight very winnable games on the horizon.

To win this game, NC State needs to make sure to do 3 major things…

1. Contain Elliot Cadeau like you contained Markus Burton
I love that NC State is coming off of the Notre Dame game where they not only won, but also really frustrated Markus Burton. The elusive PG who can score it, and dish it is was the true motor for the Fighting Irish, and NC State never really let him get going. Elliot Cadeau is very similar in the fact that he’s the motor that makes the team go. He’s really not as quick Burton, but he’s a more heady PG and better at setting up his teammates.

The key for NC State is to keep him out of the lane, and the way they did that with Burton, was to give him a step and allow him to shoot over top, while taking away the drive. Cadeau is shooting a sad 28% from long range. They can’t allow him to suck them in on the drive and find shooters on the wings. If he does that at a high clip, NC State isn’t winning this game.

2. Match the Heels athleticism on the perimeter. 
This isn’t a Mike O’Connel game. UNC isn’t turning anyone over. They rank 298th in TO% on defense, so you don’t have to obsess over ball protection. However, you do need 3 athletic defenders on the perimeter to guard UNC’s trio of high-end guards. You want to play 6’0RJ Davis with some size. Last year Casey Morsell locked him down and you’d like to replicate that.

Meanwhile,, 6’4 freshman Ian Jackson is scoring 15ppg and shooting 40% from long range. You need size on him as well. Then there is Elliot Cadeau who, as we said, needs to be kept out of the lane. Oh, and there is also Seth Trimble who is back healthy (or is he?). He’s averaging 13ppg his season but in 26 minutes had 0 points in their win over SMU.

I think you need to go Marcus Hill, Jayden Taylor, and Breon Pass in this one. I also think you need to look at playing Dennis Parker Jr and Dontrez Styles at the same time in this game.

3. Beat them on the offensive glass
Both of these teams play a small 4 man, and both are having issues on the offensive glass. 6’6 Drake Powell plays the 4 for UNC and 6’6 Dontrez Styles plays the 4 for NC State. This is a pretty even matchup, although Styles has about 20 lbs on him and is a lot better on the glass. While I like this matchup for NC State, I think it’s more even than anything. I hope we get to see what happens when Powell has to defend a 6’9 Ismael Diouf at the 4, and he can get him into the post. Diouf might be outathleted and Styles may end up being the better matchup, but I hope we see that tried.

4. Middlebrooks needs to take it to Jalen Washington
UNC’s soft big men have been the biggest issue for them this season. They have a bunch of tall guys, but none of them are guys you’re worried about on the offensive end. Middlebrooks has a big advantage in this one. He’s 6’10, 240lbs of pure energy. Washington is the same size but he’s not nearly as physical. If I’m NC State, I’m trying to get Washington in could trouble early.