Quick Hits from NC State’s 110-64 Win Over UNCG

NC State slaughtered UNCG 110-64 this evening in the Lenovo Center, improving to 3-0 on the year. Here are my quick hits from the victory.

Box Score

• NC State struggled offensively in the 1st half, leading by only 10 points at the break. The Wolfpack was only shooting 44.1% from the field, and 30.8% from three.
  • NC State erupted offensively in the 2nd half, making 67.6% of their shots from the field, and 63.2% from three.
  • On the evening, the Wolfpack finished with yet another exemplary shooting performance, making 55.9% from the field, and 50% from three.
  • NC State has shot over 54% from the field in all three games to start the year.
    • 57.8% against NCCU.
    • 54.1% against UAB.
    • 55.9% against UNCG.
• Through the first 3 games, NC State has scored a combined 318 points, which is the third most points scored through the first three games in program history.
  • Most points scored through the first three games in school history: 374 (1990-91)
  • 2nd most: 320 (1975-76)
• The Wolfpack is easily one of the best three-point shooting teams in the nation through the first three games.
  • The Pack is shooting 44.1% from beyond the arc through 3 games.
  • In the season opener, NC State hit 19 three-pointers against North Carolina Central, tying the school record for three’s made in a single game.
    • This evening the Wolfpack hit 16 from beyond the arc, which is tied for the 5th most in a single game.
    • Three games into the Will Wade era, NC State has produced two of the Top-5 best three-point shooting performances in school history.
• NC State smothered UNCG defensively, holding them to 31.9% shooting from the field.
  • The Pack has yet to allow an opponent to shoot over 44% from the field through the first 3 games.
• Senior Forward Darrion Williams and Sophomore Guard Paul McNeil Jr. both set new career highs in scoring this evening.
  • Williams finished with a double-double of 32 points and 10 boards (29 minutes). He was 12 of 19 from the field, and 6 of 8 from beyond the arc.
  • McNeil Jr. finished with 27 points and 5 rebounds, making 8 of his 16 shots, and 6 of 13 from three.
• Will Wade was ticked off about NC State’s turnovers against UAB. His players got the message.
  • The Wolfpack only turned the ball over 4 times agains the Spartans tonight.
    • On the other hand, they forced their opponent to commit 16 turnovers.
      • NC State scored 22 points off turnovers, compared to UNCG’s 3.
  • Wade specifically called out Senior Guard Quadir Copeland for his turnovers against UAB.
    • His veteran leader got the memo. Copeland finished with 6 assists and 0 turnovers.
    • He also finished with 13 points on 5 of 7 shooting from the field, and made the only three-pointer he attempted.
    • Copeland’s shooting efficiency through 3 games is mind boggling. Through 3 games, he has made 13 of his 17 shots (76.5%), and 4 of 5 from beyond the arc (80%).
• Freshman Matt Able was NC State’s 4th player to score in double figures, scoring 10 points.
• Junior Forward Jerry Deng continues to provide quality minutes off the bench. This evening, he chipped in 9 points, 4 rebounds and 2 steals in 14 minutes.
• Redshirt Senior Guard Alyn Breed was forced to step up in a big way after Senior Guard Tre Holloman was ejected early in the game.
  • Breed was composed, finishing with 4 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists, while committing 0 turnovers.
• For the third straight game to start the year, NC State covered the spread.
  • The Wolfpack was favored by 30.5 points, and defeated the Spartans by 46.
• For the third straight game to start the year, the Total went Over.
  • The Total was 155.5, and the two teams combined to score 174 points.