At their first meeting NC State got absolutely toasted by Allen to the tune of 28 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists. Most of his points came off of one action…the elbow hand-off/screen. When looking at Allen I see a kid who has lots of physical gifts: strong, quick first step, an ability to elevate over defenders (ask BeeJay). When watching the tape on Allen and the way he got his baskets, it confirmed a couple of things…State is awful at defending ball screens and dribble hand-offs. This is troubling because our guys see this action constantly as Gottfried’s offensive scheme uses some of the exact actions that Duke uses for Allen.
What can State do to slow Allen down?
Sell out on the hand-off…
All too often the NC State big men do not guard anyone (I know for all that have watched State play this season it is not anything new) BUT this has got to change if the Wolfpack stands any chance tomorrow. More times than not, Allen gets his hand-off from Plumlee who is not a threat offensively, especially in the area that the action takes place, this means that Abu or Anya need to hedge hard to keep Allen from turning the corner. There is no reason to hang onto Plumlee 17 feet from the basket!
Play off and bait him into contested jump shots…
Another reason Grayson was able to turn the corner is because whoever was defending him on the perimeter did not give him enough space. Yes, you want to pressure him but he is deceptively quick and can blow by defenders with ease. Cody Martin will get the assignment again and he needs to leverage his length more to his favor, last time out he allowed Allen to get into his body which knocked him completely off balance rendering him useless. If State can coax Allen into settling for long twos and threes they can have success. The type of players that Allen has struggled against are the long athletic wings, Cody fits this bill, but he has to take away the paint and put together his best defensive performance to date.
Summary…Duke does a great job at putting Allen in good spots to use his strengths, he loves to attack the paint and most of the action Duke runs is to create that opportunity. The dribble hand-off is a tough play to defend, especially giving the size of the screener and the Blue Devils’ ability to space a team with its perimeter shooting. State needs to take away the corner when Allen flies off Plumlee, that will mean Abu and Anya have to step out to force Allen towards the sideline. If State can disrupt this action then they will stand a chance tomorrow afternoon at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Oh and go at him on the other end! If State can get Allen into foul trouble which he is prone to, then that would be the best way to stop him.
Highlights of Allen last time out versus the Pack…
NC State Basketball
The Roster for the NC State Men’s Basketball Team is all but Set Heading into 2024-25
NC State’s Men’s Basketball team has picked up 4 players from the Transfer Portal this offseason, and the class ranks 10th nationally according to ON3, and 15th nationally according to 247Sports.
NC State’s 2024 4-Man Transfer Class
Center Brandon Huntley-Hatfield (Louisville)
Guard/Forward Dontez Styles (Georgetown)
Guard Marcus Hill (Bowling Green)
NC State still has a chance to move up in the rankings. East Carolina Power Forward Ezra Ausar just wrapped up an Official Visit to NC State, and things are looking good for the Wolfpack. ON3 ranks Ausar as the #67 overall player in the Portal, and the #15 Power Forward.
NC State Basketball
Guard Mike O’Connell Announces He Will Play His Final Year of Eligibility at NC State
Good job Freeman. Please leave early. Fouling Ingram changed the game turning into a five point play and ending any chance for State. Please leave.
I hate this Allen kid. He is the best in the ACC and he knows it. No way for State to stop him or the other Dukies. 2-9 and put Gott on the hot seat for next year.