Previewing NC State’s Opponent: SMU

NC State (9-9, 2-5) will host SMU (14-5, 5-3) at noon today on The CW Network. The Wolfpack is looking to snap a three-game losing streak, having lost five of their last six games. Beating the Mustangs won’t be an easy task, as SMU ranks first in the ACC in scoring offense, averaging 84.16 points per game.

SMU ACC Stat Team Rankings (NC State’s Opposing Stat in Parentheses)

• Scoring Offense: 1st – 84.16 (NC State Scoring Defense: 5th – 67.28)
• Scoring Defense: 11th – 72.95 (NC State Scoring Offense: 14th – 71.5)
• Scoring Margin: 1st – 11.21 (10th – 4.22)
• Free Throw Percentage: 13th – 73.2% (16th – 70.4%)
• Field Goal Percentage: 2nd – 48.2% (NC State FG% Defense: 12th – 44.1%)
• Field Goal Percentage Defense: 4th – 41.5% (NC State FG%: 10th – 45.3%)
• 3PT Percentage: 2nd – 38.3% (NC State 3PT % Defense: 9th – 32.8%)
• 3PT Percentage Defense: 14th – 35.2% (NC State 3PT%: 15th – 31.5%)
• Rebounding: 1st – 39.89 (NC State Rebounding Defense: 16th – 35.22)
• Rebounding Defense: 6th – 32.89 (NC State Rebounding: 16th – 32.39)
• Rebounding Margin: 2nd – +7 (18th – -2.83)
• Blocked Shots: 6th – 3.89 (4th – 4)
• Assists: 2nd – 16.47 (14th – 12.83)
• Steals: 2nd – 7.95 (7th – 6.83)
• Turnover Margin: 9th – 1.37 (1st – 3.67)
• Assist/Turnover Ratio: 2nd – 1.44 (5th – 1.35)
• Offensive Rebounds: 1st – 13.42 (11th – 10.5)
• Defensive Rebounds: 5th – 26.47 (18th – 21.89)

SMU features four players scoring in double figures. Junior guard Boopie Miller averages 14.3 points per game and leads the team with 5.7 assists per game, ranking fourth in the ACC. Despite his contribution, Miller’s shooting efficiency is low, with a field goal percentage of only 39.8%. However, he excels at free throws, making 81.9% of his attempts. Miller transferred from Wake Forest last offseason.

Senior guard Chuck Harris, averaging 12.2 points per game with a field goal percentage of 45.1%, is an elite three-point specialist, hitting 43.3% from beyond the arc.

Senior forward Matt Cross (6’7″) averages 11.0 points and leads the Mustangs with eight rebounds per game, which ranks seventh in the ACC. He makes 50.4% of his field goals and 39.1% of his three-point attempts. Cross transferred from UMASS this past offseason.

Junior guard B.J. Edwards contributes 10.7 points per game, shooting an impressive 52.9% from the field and 38.6% from three.

Freshman center Samet Yigitoglu, standing 7’2″, averages 9.7 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, with a field goal percentage of 56.4%.

Senior guard Kario Oquendo, a transfer from Oregon, averages 9.6 points per game and shoots 41.8% from three.