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GAMEDAY PRIMER vs. Virginia Tech | Keys to the Game, Team Trends and How to Watch

Pack Pride Staff

Published

4 months ago

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NC State Wolfpack VS Virginia Tech Hokies
Time: 12PM
Location: Raleigh, NC
TV: The CW

NC State is looking to make history today when they take on Virginia Tech in Raleigh.

A win would make it 6 straight ACC wins for the Pack. And the last time NC State won six straight ACC regular-season games?

Fifty-two years ago.

During the 1973-74 season,

Meanwhile, the Wolfpack has gone 9-3 in home games. They are averaging 85.8 points and have outscored opponents by 13.4 points per game. They are shooting 48.2% from the field and 35.1% from 3-point range this season.

The Hokies are 5-5 so far in the ACC. They average 78.4 points while outscoring opponents by 6.2 points per game. The Hokies are shooting 46.7% from the field and 34.8% from beyond the arc.

The matchup Saturday is the first meeting of the season between the two teams.

Players to Watch For VT

Amani Hansberry | VT(6’8 – Junior – F)
Hansberry is averaging 15.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game for the Hokies this season, shooting 50.0% from the field, 36% from 3 and adding 1.5 steals and 0.8 blocks. The 6’8″ junior forward has been a consistent double-double threat and one of Virginia Tech’s most efficient and productive players in his first year with the team.

He recently put a 20 spot on Duke and has gone four double digits in 4 of his last 5 games. Against Duke he got hot from outside, knocking down 4-5 from deep. This is a big dude who is very versatile and runs the floor well.

NC State needs to keep him off the glass. He had a stretch earlier in this season where he put up 9+ boards in six straight outings.

Matt Able | NC State (6’6 – Freshman – G)
Matt Able is still trying to find consistency for NC State, but after a very strong second half against SMU, a game he finished with 13 points on 5-9 shooting (2-6 from 3pt range), Wade seems bullish that the breakout is near.

Here is what he had to say in his weekly radio show…

“Matt has been phenomenal. He’s going to have a couple of huge games here down the stretch — I’m talking 15 to 20 points. He’s continued to get better. He’s continued to do the things that we need him to do. He’s making winning plays for us. He had a tremendous spurt there for us in the SMU game that got us back in it, and so he’s getting more comfortable. I’ve been very pleased with him. He’s an extremely hard worker.”

Key to the Game: A battle for the arc

NC State comes in as one of the top 3pt shooting teams in the country. They rank 7th in 3pt % and 30th overall in points from beyond the arc. They are 17th in effective FG%.

Meanwhile, the Hokies are 19th in the country and tops in the ACC in 3pt defense % (29.5).

On the flip side, NC State ranks 16th in the ACC in the same stat (34%) isn’t all that bad from deep, ranking 7th in the conference at 34.5% from deep.

Sell-out crowd

The Lenny will be rocking, coming off 5 straight wins. This game is sold out.

 

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