Quick Hits from NC State’s 94-70 Win Over UAB

NC State defeated UAB 94-70 this evening in the Lenovo Center, improving to 2-0 on the year. Here’s our postgame Quick Hits.

• It didn’t start pretty, but when you look at the final numbers, the Wolfpack shot incredibly well from the field, making 54.1% of their shots.
  • After shooting 42.9% in the first half, NC State recovered by shooting 69.2% in the second half.
  • The Wolfpack made 57.8% of their shots in the season opener against North Carolina Central.
  • Through 2 games, NC State is shooting an outstanding 56%.
• Defensively, the Wolfpack held UAB to 40.8% from the field, and 16% from three.
  • In the season opener, NC State held NC Central to 43.8% shooting.
• NC State has scored a combined 208 points through the first two games of the season, which is the most for the first two games in a season since 1990-91.
• Quadir Copeland and Paul McNeil Jr. tied for the team lead in scoring with 18 points apiece.
  • Copeland was 5 of 7 from the field, 2 of 3 from three and 6 of 7 from the free throw line.
    • He also tied for the team lead with 5 assists (4 TO’s).
    • Through 2 games, Copeland is averaging 16.5 points per game, shooting a wild 80% from the field.
  • McNeil Jr. was 6 of 11 from the field, and 3 of 7 from three.
    • Through 2 games, McNeil is averaging 17 points per game, which leads the Pack.
• Two other Wolfpack players finished in double figures, with Darrion Williams and Tre Holloman both chipping in 14 points.
  • Williams was 5 of 10 from the field, and is averaging 16.5 points per game through 2 games.
  • Holloman was 5 of 9 from the field, and is averaging 14.5 points per game through 2 games.
    • Tre’s 5 assists (3 TO’s) this evening tied for the team lead.
• This NC State basketball team is extremely unselfish.
  • Tonight they had 18 assists on 33 made field goals.
• Musa Sagnia is becoming more aggressive each time he steps on the court.
  • He led NC State this evening with 10 rebounds and 3 offensive rebounds.
• A few negative notes:
  • The Blazers grabbed 17 offensive rebounds, which was 6 more than the Pack.
    • Yes, NC State was +1 in second chance points, but they had no business allowing UAB to score 14 second chance points.
  • Winning the turnover margin is always a recipe for victory, but tonight it was dead locked with each team turning the ball over 14 times.
    • Personally, I want to see a team have 10 turnovers or less.
    • Nonetheless, NC State capitalized more on their takeaways, scoring 6 more points off of turnovers (21-16).