3 THINGS TO WATCH FOR: As NC State looks to open ACC play with a statement win vs Wake

NC State takes on Wake Forest at noon on ESPN2.

This is the Pack’s ACC opener and a game they really must have. In fact, this game starts a stretch of games that they ‘really must have.’

That said, they’ve been trending in a really good direction.

The offense has been elite, as we stated yesterday. Over the last 4 games, NC State has an average Adjusted Offensive Efficiency of 125.8.For context, Alabama has the best AdjO in the nation at 131.8.

If you wanted to see where NC State’s last 4 games slot in to AdjO season rankings, it would be 6th nationally.

Defensively isn’t much different. Their ‘adjusted defensive efficiency’ (AdjD) was 81.4 according to Torvik. That’s elite.

For context, the best defensive team in the nation, Michigan, has a season AdjD of 90 (the lower, the better).

Since Will Wade’s hostile takeover, NC State’s AdjD is 91.16. And how many teams nationally have a season AdjD better than that?

One. Michigan.

As you can see, NC State is in a good spot heading into ACC play, but it’s winning time now.

Here are 5 things to watch for as the Pack opens conference play vs. Wake.

1)  How will these teams respond coming off such a long break? 
Well, NC State went into its 10-day hiatus on a high note. They worked over Ole Miss 76-62, and the game wasn’t even that close. Wade played a bunch of guys he said afterwards, that shouldn’t expect to play moving forward unless they clean things up (called it a Christmas present). The Pack was up 45-26 at half and the ESPN announcers were ripping Chris Beard’s team for having no fight and not giving effort. Ok, but maybe they looked dejected becasue the NC State defense was smothering and wasn’t letting them run a single set. Wade’s group was the aggressor and the bully in that first half. Everytime Ole Miss tried to get up off the mat, they got kicked right back down.

Meanwhile, Wake had the opposite outing. The Deacs got drubbed by 31 at home vs. #13 Vanderbilt.

Wake will be looking to get back on track, while NC State will be looking to keep the ball rolling. It takes a lot less to push an object already in motion than it does to push one that is sitting stagnant.

2) NC State will go all in on stopping Juke Harris
The 6’7 Sophomore guy might be a name you remember. NC State was involved in recruiting him out of high school, and you can see why. Harris has been the motor for the Deacs. He’s averaging 20ppg and shooting 34% from long range. This guy is a volume guy. A streak shooter. But someone who will take, and can make, tough shots.

He’s shot less than 10 shots in a game only twice this year, and both times he was on the cusp with 9. He doesn’t have a single game in single-digits, scoring-wise.  He’s hit a 3 in every game except one (against Longwood, and Wake only beat them by 3).

He’s not super athletic, so him getting to the rim is really not the issue. He’s a pretty elite jump shooter and someone who finds space, elevates and knocks down shots.

Let me warn you now, NC State fans. The scout is likely going to be to get the ball out of Juke’s hands. Blitzing the ball screens and making his teammates beat you. That’s going to be some open looks for some other guys. If you want to understand why that makes sense, we did a LONG piece on it here.

But even then, Harris moves well without the ball and can score without creating the shot himself. NC State players need to keep their head on a swivel. He’s going to get frustrated early with the double teams, and he’ll go into space hunting mode. He’ll move without the ball and find spots to get off shots. So whoever is guarding him needs to gamble more towards staying home with him, and less towards pinching in to help others.

If you want to see what Harris looks like, check it out.

3) Get Darrion Williams going
NC State’s best player coming into the season has been MIA in 3 of the past 4 games, scoring single digits in those outings. There has been some talk of a nagging shoulder injury, but Wade has downplayed that. A lot of his public frustration with casual play has made fans wonder if he was referring to Williams, who has seemed a little less urgent then the rest of the group.

That said, it’s really a new season now. Williams has had 10 days to rest up his shoulder and refocus. If the Pack can get Darrion to get back on track, they’ll only be that much better…and that’s a scary thought.

BONUS: Last time Paul McNeil Jr faced Wake Forest (last season), he had his first breakout game. Check it out…