The Wolpack defeated IUPUI by the score of 79-56. The Pack had a balanced attack as four players were in double figures, with Cat Barber leading the way with 19 points. This was an ugly game as fouls were a plenty and shooting was sub par. NC State shot just 41% from the floor and IUPUI wasn’t any better as they were held to 33% from the field. In the end the Pack came away with an easy win.

What Stood out?

Caleb Martin: 

Caleb is proving that he can be a force on the offensive end in spurts. Last night he finished with 15 points and 7 rebounds, including 3 on offensive boards. He also started to attack the basket more as he had a ridiculous dunk in transition over an IUPUI player. To start the year he has had some success from distance but he needs to use his size and athletic ability more to attack the rim. Caleb has the skill to be a monster attacking the paint and should sprint the floor as hard as possible in transition to get transition lay-ups. I think he will develop this as he gains experience, I can tell that he is becoming an emotional leader for this team. They need that desperately.

The Glass: 

Coach Gottfried has clearly made a point that his team needs to be better on the glass after getting beat by William and Mary, last night the Pack improved again as they out rebounded IUPUI 52-37. I liked how State fought on the glass as everyone gave a great effort to clean up errand shots. There were plenty of rebound opportunities as neither team shot the lights out. This is one area where this team will have to thrive if they are going to improve. NC State has the type of personnel needed to rebound, but must stay focused. If each player can continue to build upon last night’s effort and put a body on someone and then relentlessly pursue the ball then they will win the rebounding battle on most nights. This should be a point of emphasis with this group especially.

They played hard: 

I am going to be honest this team is not the most gifted team offensively. I think that they have some great pieces on the roster and have lots of room for growth, but with that being said they are just not there yet. As I look at our offense we have guys who are playing a little out of position. Let me explain with a baseball term, it’s like a team that doesn’t have an ace at the top of the rotation. If a baseball team doesn’t have an ace to duel against another team’s number one guy it puts their team at a disadvantage each game.

I feel like that is the exact situation that Coach Gottfried and the Pack are in this season. We had an ace his name was Trevor Lacey, but like I said in an earlier piece he is long gone. Cat Barber is good but he shouldn’t be our number one option offensively. He is better at being a change of pace scorer. He has found buckets hard to come by as teams are loading the paint and sending all the help side his way, it’s a completely different game for him as he is now the most wanted man on the scouting report. All of our guys are playing one notch above their pay grade essentially.

With that being said there are positives to be gained! If a player wants to get better they must play against the best. A lot of our guys will experience this and grow as they must be ready to go each night, especially with a shortened rotation.  If State can get a little better each game and play with a relentless effort then they will be on the cusp of the NCAA Tournament. Just go out there and play as hard as possible and results will get better.

NC State will get a step up in the competition level as they travel north to New York to play Arizona State and potentially LSU in the Legends Classic . Don’t be surprised if the Pack find a way to win. Coach Gottfried always seems to get a little extra out of his guys with the lights are on brightest, what better place than New York?

Highlights of last night’s game below: