WOLFERETTI: 3 Thoughts on NC State’s Bounce Back Win over Boise St.

Now that’s more like it!

NC State bounced back from a pretty embarrassing performance on Monday vs. Seton Hall, to take out a talented Boise St. squad 81-70.

You gotta hand it to Will Wade, his staff and these players, they were able to get over their opening night loss and come out with some real intensity vs. Boise State. In the locker room before the game, Wade told his players “The time for talk is over. It’s about action now.” That message got through to them.

I probably have 5 things I could note that stood out, but this is the Maui Invitational and dwelling too much on any single game is a mistake. I need to write this recap, scout Texas, go buy Thanksgiving ingredients at Wegmans, and then get to my day job. So we’re sticking with 3 things today…

With that, let’s get to it…

1) Intensity was much improved
Look, there was a lot happening in game 1. It was a 9:30 am local time start, after the jet lag from travel and the touring and hula dancing from the days prior. Not easy to stay focused and feel yourself for a game against an opponent who is chomping at the bit to prove themselves. That said, State didn’t look good at all on Monday, but was able to put it behind them and come out focused on Tuesday vs. Boise State.

Right from the jump you could tell things were different. The physicality was there, the focus was there and there was just more pep in their step. I think Monday is going to be an outlier when we look back on this season.

2) The defense and rebounding took a step in the right direction
Well, in the first half NC State was crushed on the glass 23-16, but they did create 11 turnovers, which helped them get up 6 at the break. But it was really the 2nd half when things started to click, and it was thanks to Matt Able and Terrance Arceneaux. These guys came in and changed the game. Able is constantly in passing lanes, constantly working to say in front of his man and rarely reaching or getting out of position. Meanwhile, Arceneaux is long, atheletic and causing all kinds of issues on the defensive end. Couple those guys with Lubin and Williams and the rebounding issues dissolve. State won the 2nd half battle 20-15. Speaking of these two guys…

3) Terrance Arceneaux and Matt Able unlocked something for NC State in this game
Arceneaux hasn’t been right all season long, but after Wade made it clear that it’s either put up or shut up, he came out and had his best game of the season. Meanwhile, Matt Able continues his ascent. We knew he’d be a good scorer, but his defense and physicality have been a big plus for NC State, especially in this one. He entered in the 2nd half at the 14-minute mark with NC State up 2. He immediately got 2 steals, hit a layup and 2 free throws. That momentum changed the game.

The second wave of improvement in the 2nd half came with Arceneaux’s entrance. Suddenly, NC State was denying the passing lanes, cutting off dribble penetration, and contesting 3 pointers. They were in position for rebounds and they didn’t see a significant dip in offense. Like I said, I think we’re about to see these two guys slowly move into much more prominent roles for Wade’s NC State squad.