NC State 67, Youngstown State 50

by Akula Wolf on Dec 16, 2010 11:16 PM EST

Four Factors	NC State	Youngstown
eFG%	40.0	37.1
Turnover Rate	19.7	16.7
Off Reb Rate	42.5	26.7
FT Rate	80.0	19.4

	Pts	Poss	OFF_EFF	DEF_EFF
YSU	50	65.9	75.9	101.7
NCSU	67	65.9	101.7	75.9

Box Score

NC State overcame the worst half of basketball it has played all season by out-scoring Youngstown State 46-16 over the final 20 minutes; the Pack scored 57 points over the last 27:29. Javi Gonzalez and Ryan Harrow led the team out of the hole with strong play in the second half, while CJ Leslie overcame a horrible start to score 14 points and grab 19 rebounds.

State's second half performance was about as good as it gets at both ends of the floor:

2nd Half	OFF_EFF	eFG%	TO%	OR%	FTR
YSU	49.9	22.2	31.2	37.5	37.0
NCSU	143.5	56.0	15.6	61.1	104.0

That's the good news.

The final score is not remotely indicative of the struggle NC State faced; it took the team nearly 10 minutes to score five points, by which point Youngstown already had 20. It's becoming a familiar story. They get down a bit, go into total panic mode, and become completely discombobulated at the offensive end. Guys going one-on-one and turning the ball over or forcing up shots that have no chance, snowballing the situation. Leslie got out of control, as is his way. Even Zo Brown got in on the act. When we were down 13-3, Richard Howell decided that was the time to take a three-pointer. It was all very unfortunate.

I hate to say it--I desperately want to be encouraged, to see some sign of progress--but this team is nowhere near NCAA-caliber right now. It's just a mess. After the nice start to the season in Charleston, we've seen red flag after red flag. I hope Tracy Smith's return is enough to change everything for the better. But the more games we play, the less I think he'll be able to put us over the top and into the NCAAs.

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Comments

Really hate that I missed this one

I agree with where it seems we are right now, Steven.

NIT-bound.

by wolfonthehill on Dec 17, 2010 7:56 AM EST reply actions

Like I said after the Wiscy game

This team has the same issues all of Lowe’s teams have had. This team just happens to have enough talent to sometimes overcome their deficiencies.

by PACKHOOLIGAN on Dec 17, 2010 9:34 AM EST reply actions

It's sad, really (or really sad)

In the 2nd half they showed that when they decide they want to, or have to, they can turn it on. They totally dismantled a bad team the way they should, for the last 26 minutes of the game. But there is no chance, except maybe against Wake, that we dig our way out of an 18 point hole in an ACC game. (Note: If we find ourselves that far down against GT, Paul Hewitt may accidentally drop us ladder to climb back up.)
The lack of desire, or ability, or whatever it is, to play the whole game is really sad for a team that has a much higher ceiling than we’ve seen the last few years.

Side note: Shouldn’t the first commenter change his name to “PanthersWTF”?

by acc_10k on Dec 17, 2010 5:34 PM EST reply actions