NC State 78, Miami 73

by Akula Wolf on Jan 22, 2012 4:39 PM EST

Four Factors	NCSU	Miami
eFG%	51.9	45.9
Turnover Rate	20.0	21.4
Off Reb Rate	25.0	33.3
FT Rate	59.6	37.7

	Pts	Poss	OFF_EFF	DEF_EFF
Miami	73	74.8	97.6	104.2
NCSU	78	74.8	104.2	97.6

Box Score (pdf)

NC State overcame a sluggish start at the offensive end to take a double-digit lead into halftime, but more stretches of careless play kept the Hurricanes a little closer than they should have been. Bad fouls plagued the forwards and everybody played a little too fast at times. But they were very good at the defensive end in the first half, frustrating MIami's perimeter scorers as the Pack built that decisive lead.

Scott Wood finished with a team-high 21 points and broke J.J. Redick's ACC record for consecutive free throws made in the process. He also hit a couple of big threes down the stretch to calm things down. DeShawn Painter's jump shot returned in timely fashion, what with Richard Howell's struggles this afternoon, and he continues to be a reliable free throw shooter.

Miami hit 25 of 41 two-point attempts but attempted 20 three-pointers and made just two of those. Had they not settled for so many long range shots in the first half, maybe things would have been different for them. Malcolm Grant and Durand Scott were a combined 4-18 from the field.

NC State, now 4-1 at tied for first in the ACC, is off until a road trip to Chapel Hill on Thursday.

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Just a huge win

I figured we would lose one of these first five, and this was the game I assumed we would lose. Since we ended up losing to GT already, winning this one was crucial. It helps RPI and keeps the momentum going into the game @ UNC and v. UVA. If we can steal one of the next two somehow, and win @ BC in the next game….6-2 record in the first half. That would give a big boost to our tournament hopes.

by leewolf on Jan 22, 2012 6:15 PM EST reply actions

best thing other than the win

is Scott breaking Reddick’s free throw record! i was worried he might miss when he got close.

by sbas2 on Jan 22, 2012 6:15 PM EST reply actions

Huge win indeed

To be safe, we needed to be 5-0 right now… we’re OK at 4-1 as long as we win one this week.

I’m incredibly proud that the guys pulled it back together when Miami rallied late… Scott & Deshawn saved our asses… good to see someone do it, as there have been plenty of games where everything (including Scott’s shooting) crumbles at clutch time.

Maybe things are a little different now…

by wolfonthehill on Jan 22, 2012 6:20 PM EST reply actions

GOTTA BELIEVE!!

Jimmy V

by mellopack77 on Jan 22, 2012 6:32 PM EST reply actions

OPTIMIDSM

That’s my new word for the mood most of you guys have before and after games. As for me, I am pumped. Our team D has made huge strides. This year has been great and I can’t wait for Thursday.

by PackMentality on Jan 22, 2012 6:43 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Made me nervous at the end

Got to find a way to get more from Richard Howell this week. He’s collapsed under larger competition and with Zeller and Henson on the horizon he makes me nervous. Also, can we teach the big guys to stop shooting layups so close to the basket and dunk on someone. It gets annoying when all the 6’8" and taller guys have their shots blocked over and over again.

by chip24spb on Jan 22, 2012 6:47 PM EST reply actions

Painter really

stepped up big this game. I was glad to see CJ playing at what seemed to be 100%. This being a noon game at a place with no crowd, I was scared that the team would just play flat. We started out with some poor shooting, but the team’s energy level was high, and I thought State was outplaying Miami even in the beginning. It was really weird (since any state fan knows no lead is safe), when State was up early in the second half, I was not worried at all about losing the game. State looked like the better team. Then everything changed, Miami played with much more urgency, guys got a little erratic with the ball, and with the bigs in foul trouble the defense suffered. It was nice to see the guys weather the storm and come out with the win

Here I am going to make my one gripe. What is up with Howell? It seems he must commit 2 silly fouls in the first 10 minutes of every game against decent competition. Against Miami he fouled a 3 point shooter, then he fouled a guy 70 feet from the basket. The team has no depth, and it can not afford its starting center to get into foul trouble early in every game. I have also noticed how it never looks like he is having any fun out there. I don’t know if he is pressing or what, but I want my rebounding machine back!

by PACKHOOLIGAN on Jan 23, 2012 8:24 AM EST reply actions

I'm actually feeling gulp optimistic about Thursday

but agree we need more out of Howell and it would be awesome if Painter could recreate his performance v. Miami. We need both firing on all cylinders, along with Calvin, to counter UNC’s size and athleticism.

I want to see us go 1-1 in the next two (or better) before I’m willing to hear any of the NCAAT chatter.

by ginger avenger on Jan 23, 2012 11:34 AM EST up reply actions

That's wise

0-2 this week and we’re back off the bubble the wrong way. We can’t afford to lose to everyone “better” than us from here on out – if we do, we sit at home…

by wolfonthehill on Jan 23, 2012 2:03 PM EST up reply actions

agreed

in the end, the selection committee is comprised of people and is not completely statistically driven like an RPI Score. Keep in mind Lee Fowler was once president of the committee. That’s why I feel like we need a resume win (preferably a couple) before we are taken seriously, especially since we are emerging from the abyss that was the Sid Lowe era.

If we win out beating only who we “should” beat, I really could see us being left out given the weakness of the ACC

by ginger avenger on Jan 23, 2012 3:29 PM EST up reply actions