Connect with us

NC State Basketball

NC State vs #2 Arizona: By the (advanced) Numbers

Published

6 years ago

on

NC State takes on #2 Arizona tonight at 7pm. A quick look at the surface numbers says that it should be a lopsided win for the Wildcats. But, look a little deeper at the advanced stats and you’ll see that NC State may have an opportunity to exploit a weakness in Arizona’s game. Take a look for yourself.  (*TLDR: Skip to the bottom for  summary)

Points Per Game
NC State- 90
Arizona- 98

Rebounds Per Game
NC State- 36
Arizona- 40

Assists Per Game
NC State- 16
Arizona- 20

Steals Per Game
NC State- 12
Arizona- 7

Blocks Per Game
NC State- 4
Arizona- 5

FG %
NC State- 49.4
Arizona- 58.8

3-point %
NC State- 26.4
Arizona- 50.9

Free Throw %
NC State- 71.4
Arizona- 58.8

FG %
NC State- 49.4
Arizona- 80.5

—————

Advanced Stats

—————-

Adjusted Tempo
An estimate of the tempo (possessions per 40 minutes) a team would have against the team that wants to play at an average D-I tempo.
—–
Arizona- 71.0 (218th)
NC State- 74.0 (49th)

 

Adjusted Offensive Efficiency
An estimate of the offensive efficiency (points scored per 100 possessions) a team would have against the average D-I defense.
—–
Arizona- 119.2 (2nd)
NC State- 107 (83rd)

 

Committed Turnover %
Arizona- 16.9 (81st)
NC State- 12.9 (11th)

 

Forced Turnover %
Arizona- 17.9 (236th)
NC State- 31.1 (1st)

Offensive rebounding %
Arizona- 38.9 (24th)
NC State- 35.8 (52nd)


———
Summary
———-

When you look at the numbers, at this point in the season, Arizona is better than NC State in mostly every phase of the game. However, the data does points to one area that the Wolfpack has a real advantage.

The tempo stat above shows you that NC State likes to play fast. They are also the nation’s leader in creating turnovers (percentage wise). At the same time, the Wolfpack isn’t committing many turnovers at all. This is saying that NC State plays extremely fast, but they also are able to do so under control. Meanwhile,  opponents are seeming to be bothered by the pace of play.

Arizona ranks pretty low in temp, meaning all of those great stats above are coming from a slower, more methodical pace of play. What happens when you speed them up? What happens to their TO%? What happens to their FG%. They are a great rebounding team, but what happens when the game is being played in transition and rebounders are out of position?

This could get interesting if NC State is able to control the pace and keep the tempo up. All of the sudden, you are forcing Arizona into unchartered waters. How will they respond?

The answer to that question, may tell you who walks away with the win.

Related Topics:

NC State Basketball

Guard Mike O’Connell Announces He Will Play His Final Year of Eligibility at NC State

Published

8 hours ago

on

May 1, 2024

By

Guard Michael O’Connell announced today that he will be playing his final year of eligibility at NC State next season.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Michael O’Connell (@michaeloc_12)

Today was the final day graduate players could enter the Portal.

This past season, O’Connell averaged 5.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists for the Wolfpack, starting 22 of the 41 games he played in.

O’Connell took over as NC State’s starting Point Guard on January 30th in a win against Miami.

He only scored in double figures in 9 of his 41 games this season, but 6 of those came in postseason play (5 in the ACC Tournament). O’Connell took things to another level in the ACC Tournament, playing aggressive on the offensive end, looking for his shot, and attacking the rim.

NC State played it’s best basketball of the season when O’Connell was running the show. He ranked 3rd in the ACC in Assist/Turnover Ratio (2.5).

Heading into next season, with a lineup filled with new faces, having the calming presence of a veteran leader like O’Connell is reassuring.

Continue Reading

NC State Basketball

ECU Transfer Forward Ezra Ausar to NC State is Trending Up

Published

20 hours ago

on

May 1, 2024

By

ECU Transfer Power Forward Ezra Ausar (6’9″/240) was on an Official Visit to NC State yesterday, and according to analysts at ON3 and 247Sports, things are trending in the right direction for the Wolfpack.

Jamie Shaw of ON3 submitted a prediction for Ausar to eventually commit to NC State yesterday morning.

Cory Smith of 247Sports submitted a crystal ball projection for Ausar to run with the Wolfpack this morning.

Ausar just wrapped up his Sophomore season in Greenville, averaging 11.4 points and 4.7 rebounds, shooting 51.4% from the field. As a Freshman, he was named to the AAC All-Freshman Team, averaging 9.8 points and 5.3 rebounds.

Ausar is a consensus 4-Star prospect in the Transfer Portal, and ON3 ranks him as the #60 overall player in the Portal and the #10 Power Forward.

Originally from Atlanta, Ausar played his Senior Season of High School at Liberty Heights Athletic Institute in Charlotte, North Carolina. ON3 ranked Ausar as a 4-Star prospect coming out of high school, the #94 overall player nationally, and the #2 player in the state of North Carolina.

Ausar has visited Seton Hall, Georgia Tech, met over Zoom with Georgetown, and had an in-home visit with Utah. John Calipari and his staff at Arkansas have been in touch with Ausar, as well as Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Virginia Tech, Arizona State, West Virginia, Iowa State and St. John’s. (Link)

At this point, it’s good news that Ausar has no visits scheduled after the visit to NC State.

Ausar has 2 years of eligibility remaining, and NC State currently has 1 scholarship remaining.

Continue Reading

NC State Basketball

NC State Signee Zamareya Jones Showed Out in the McDonald’s & Jordan All-American Games

Published

21 hours ago

on

May 1, 2024

By

NC State 2024 signee Zamareya Jones has played in the McDonald’s All-American game and the Jordan Brand Classic over the past month.

In the McDonald’s game on April 2nd, Jones had 13 points, helping her East squad defeat the West.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by SportsCenter NEXT (@sportscenternext)

In the Jordan Brand Classic on April 21st, Jones had 15 points, 5 assists and 3 rebounds. She also hit the game winner for Team Flight.

Jones is a 5-star prospect in the Wolfpack’s 2024 recruiting class, ranked 21st overall nationally by ESPN.

Continue Reading

NC State Basketball

NC State’s Kevin Keatts and DJ Burns Sounded the Siren at the Canes Game Tonight

Published

1 day ago

on

April 30, 2024

By

NC State Head Coach Kevin Keatts and the beloved DJ Burns were both Siren Sounders for the Canes this evening, with Carolina defeating the Islanders 6-3, winning the Round 1 series 4-1.

Continue Reading