Quick Hits From NC State’s Win Over UNC-Asheville

NC State improved to 6-3 this afternoon, defeating UNC-Asheville 75-63 in the Lenovo Center. Here are my Quick Hits.

It was a game of two halves today for the Wolfpack.

In the first half, the home team allowed UNC Asheville to come into the Lenovo Center and impose its will. The Bulldogs led for 9:35 of the first 20 minutes of play.

The Wolfpack shot 35.5% from the field in the first half.
The Bulldogs shot 40% from the field in the first half.

After heading into the second half with a two-point lead, NC State managed to lead the rest of the way.

The Wolfpack recovered after a poor shooting first half, connecting on an impressive 63% from the field in the second. The Pack committed only four turnovers in the second half.

On the other end, NC State did a better job containing the Bulldogs in the second half, holding them to 34.5% shooting.

Scottie Ebube started the game in place of Paul McNeil Jr., but played only the first two minutes.
That was interesting.

No one on this NC State squad has been more consistent recently than senior forward Ven-Allen Lubin. Lubin finished with a double-double of 23 points and 12 rebounds, shooting an incredible 9-for-11 from the field.

This was Lubin’s second double-double of the season, and he has now scored in double figures in six straight games.

Copeland’s streak of three straight games in double figures is the second-longest on the team.

Senior guard Quadir Copeland nearly recorded a double-double as well, finishing with 13 points (4-9 FG, 1-2 3PT), nine assists (three turnovers), and three steals.

Freshman Matt Able had a strong bounce-back performance after struggling mightily over the previous two games. Able finished with 13 points, four rebounds, and two blocks, going 5-for-8 from the field and 3-for-5 from three. In those prior two games, Able had made just two of his 16 shot attempts.

NC State failed to cover the spread by a wide margin. The Wolfpack were 27.5-point favorites but won by just 12.

The total also went under by a wide margin. The betting total was 158.5, and the two teams combined for only 138 points.

The Pack was positive in several key statistical categories:

• +9 in points off turnovers

• +5 in second-chance points

• +9 in fast-break points

• +23 in bench points

• +26 in points in the paint

A win is a win, but NC State should score more than 73 points against UNC Asheville and win by more than 12.

Opponents are averaging just 71.6 points against the Bulldogs, so teams aren’t exactly lighting them up. But to put it into perspective, Wichita State, Georgia Southern, Western Carolina, Tennessee State, and UNC Greensboro all scored more points against UNC Asheville than NC State did today.

That shouldn’t happen.

For the first time this season, senior forward Darrion Williams failed to score 10 or more points. He made four of his six shots, so he didn’t shoot poorly. He also contributed by dishing out six assists while committing just one turnover.

Still, Williams has to be more of an offensive factor for this team to be successful.

In my opinion, NC State has to play to the player Williams is. He’s a good spot shooter when found in space, but he’s at his best when fed the ball with his back to the basket. From that spot, he can hit a fadeaway, back defenders down, find cutters, or kick the ball back out for an open three.