Quick Hits from NC State’s 85-45 Win Over Liberty

NC State improved to 7-3 this evening, defeating Liberty 85-45 in the Lenovo Center. Here are my quick hits.

Box Score
ACCDN Highlight Reel & Condensed Game
Will Wade Press Conference Video

• Well, it’s safe to say the Wolfpack covered the spread.
  • NC State was an 11.5-point favorite, and ended up covering the spread by 28.5 points.
• Because of the Pack’s smothering defense, the betting Total went Under.
  • The Total was 157.5, and the two teams combined to score 130 points, which was 27.5 points Under the Total.
• It’s hard to put into words how impressive NC State’s defensive performance was tonight.
  • Liberty entered the contest ranked 2nd nationally in field goal percentage (54.7%), 2nd in 2-point field goal percentage (66.5%) and 4th in 3-point field goal percentage (43.1%).
  • This evening, the Pack held the Flames to 35.3% shooting from the field, and 21.4% from three.
• Did you ask when the LAST TIME NC State’s opponent scored 45 points or less?
  • Thanks for asking. Over a decade ago, when Jacksonville scored 43 points on November 20th, 2014.
• On the flip side, the Wolfpack shot the ball extremely well.
  • NC State shot 51.7% from the field, and 41.7% from beyond the arc.
• NC State never trailed in the contest.
• The Wolfpack had 4 players score in double figures.
  • Senior Forward Ven-Allen Lubin tied for the team lead with 13 points, making 6 of his 9 shots.
    • Lubin has now scored 10+ points in 7 straight games, which is the longest streak on the team.
    • He also had 6 rebounds and 2 steals.
  • Freshman Guard Matt Able also had 13 points (4-6 FG/1-2 3PT).
    • He also had 4 rebounds and 2 steals.
  • Senior Guards Quadir Copeland and Tre Holloman both had 11 points.
    • Copeland was 4 of 6 from the field, and 1 of 2 from three.
      • Q led the Pack with 7 assists (1 TO), and he also snagged 7 boards.
    • Holloman made 4 of his 7 shots.
• Senior Darrion Williams has now scored under 10 points in back-to-back games.
  • D5 had 9 points and a team-high 8 rebounds.
  • He struggled shooting this evening, making only 3 of 9 from the field, which is his 2nd worst shooting percentage in a game this season.
• Tre Holloman won the +/- award this evening.
  • NC State was +37 when Tre was on the court, which led the team.
• NC State had 8 turnovers, which was 9 less than the Flames.
  • It’s always good to see your team finish with less than 10 TO’s.
  • The Wolfpack was +14 in points scored off of turnovers.
• NC State was +22 in bench points (41.2%).
  • Able’s 13 points were the most off of the bench, but Redshirt Junior Guard Terrance Arceneaux had 8, and Senior Guard Alyn Breed had 6.
• The Wolfpack was +18 in points in the paint.
• Darrion Williams’ Usage Rate was 17.5%, which was the highest on the team.
  • Matt Able was 15.4%
  • Quadir Copeland was 15.3%
  • Ven-Allen Lubin was 15.2%
    • Copeland came into the game with the highest season Usage Rate (24.5%).
• Copeland had the highest Offensive Rating by a long shot, with a rating of 153.9.
  • Lubin was next (127.5), followed by Holloman (126.5).