Box Score (pdf)
Four Factors | NCSU | Campbell |
eFG% | 58.1 | 54.0 |
Turnover Rate | 14.8 |
28.2 |
Off Reb Rate | 44.4 | 30.0 |
FT Rate | 17.6 | 30.0 |
Pts | Poss | OFF_EFF | DEF_EFF | |
CU |
66 | 67.4 | 97.9 | 120.2 |
NCSU | 81 | 67.4 | 120.2 | 97.9 |
Campbell managed to hang around all night like that dang house fly you can't seem to get rid of for three days, but NC State controlled the play for the vast majority of the game. Even when the Camels used a run to get within five in the second half, I was more annoyed than concerned. State basically held off Campbell like this the whole game:
The Camels posted an eFG% north of 70 in the second half, and that is the sort of dumb basketball crap that will happen from time to time.
Despite that, and despite the fact that State missed all five of its free throw attempts in the final half, there was still time for Battle Cannon at the end. The Pack did an outstanding job on the glass at both ends--led by new rebounding stalwart Tyler Lewis (?!), who had six defensive boards. He had more rebounds (eight) than anybody else on the team. WHAT.
What's stranger still is that State dominated the boards even though a guard finished with the highest rebounding total on the team. That just doesn't compute. But that dominance, as well as a large positive turnover margin (+9), ensured that Campbell's hot shooting would be nothing more than a side show.
Lennard Freeman had the best game of his young career, hitting all four of his FGAs while adding seven boards (five offensive), two steals, and two dimes. BeeJay Anya showed flashes of the kind of player he could be once he's in the proper shape--he was 2-of-3 from the field, grabbed four boards, and blocked three shots in 15 minutes. It was a good confidence-building night for the big guys.
Cat Barber had a nice game as well, though I don't like seeing a zero in the assist column. T.J. Warren did the usual T.J. Warren things, knocking down more than half his twos while hitting 2-of-5 threes. He did revert to Freshman T.J. on the glass, grabbing a mere three rebounds in 38 minutes. To be fair, his defensive rebounding percentage is vastly better this year, even factoring in this performance. And his no-show on the boards didn't matter in the least Saturday night.
Ralston Turner continues to look sharp even if his shot selection could use a little work. Dez Lee, man, what a huge get he was for this staff. It becomes more clear every night out that his size and versatility will be really valuable for us this year.
So there really wasn't a lot to be bothered about on Saturday. But the free throw shooting ... c'mon, guys, 2-of-12? That is gross. It does give me the opportunity to present this fun fact: Campbell's opponents are shooting a combined 32.4% from the line. The Camels really know how to d-up on those freebies.