BY THE NUMBERS: NC State ACC Total +/- after loss to #2 Duke

We’re going to continue counting +/- during ACC play only. Early in the season these numbers can get skewed by guys playing random amounts of minutes in lopsided games, and while that number is also somewhat valuable, I think focusing on in-conference games ensures that you’re seeing who is performing against quality competition.

Jayden Taylor                 +4 (-9)
Dennis Parker Jr           +1 (-13)
Paul McNeil                      -5 (-2)
Ismael Diouf                   -6 (-1)
Trey Parker                    -7 (-2)
Ben Middlebrooks        -7 (-11)
Marcus Hill                    -18 (-5)
Dontrez Styles              -23 (+16)
Huntley-Hatfield.        -34 (-5)
Mike O’Connell             -34 (-9)
Breon Pass                      -42 (-7)

Takeaway: As we’ve gotten deeper into conference play, the Ben Middlebrooks and Mike O’Donnell fall have intensified. Middlebrooks was leading the team not too long ago in this stat, but has fallen recently. Mike O’Connell and Breon Pass are now the two lowest-ranked, which is why most people have been calling for Hill to move to PG. However, Trey Parker’s big game against Duke should have him getting more minutes at the 1 in the near future.

Jayton Taylor started this season trying to do way too much. He was pressing the issue on offense and forcing shots. Lately, Taylor has been taking more of what comes to him and it’s paying off. He’s not leading the team at +4 in ACC play. Dennis Parker is next up, and his play was helping him eat into Styles minutes recently, but Styles really turned it up against Duke, scoring a team-high +16 and moving out of the basement.

Paul McNeil, Trey Parker, and Ismael Diouf are the next 3 guys up and they are averaging 7 minutes per game between the three of them. That right there is really what has gotten the fans frustrated with the minute distribution. However, as of late, you’re seeing more of McNeil and Parker. McNeil played 15 minutes vs SMU and last night Parker played 19 minutes (scoring 15 during that time). Diouf still can’t find minutes for some reason, despite being 6’9, having the best touch around the rim of any NC State big, and having the skill set to stretch the defense a little, while still providing defense and some rim protection.

Ben Middlebrooks is right there with those guys, but has been trending down lately. Hill and Styles are the next teir. These are guys who have been playing a ton of minutes, but its not really showing great in their +/- count.

Hatfield was last on the team for a long time, but lately he’s been playing a lot better and has moved ahead of Pass and O’Connell.